574 Gift of Congratulations (1/2)

Chapter 574: Gift of Congratulations

Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Xie Tao was not particularly talkative, but because he'd known Zhang Zian since childhood and they were pretty familiar with each other, they could easily speak their mind. After stating a topic, he could go on continuously, mostly about complaining how hard it was to do business.

Most of his complaints were common challenges faced by small business owners, such as restocking pressures, low funding turnovers, rapidly changing trends and fashions, picky customers, online business-crushing stores, increasing sanitation fees from Grandma Gu, etc. These were nothing new. But Zhang Zian had faced all these problems before, and his were even worse. The difference was that Zhang Zian persevered through them, but Xie Tao was filled with negative energy and complained all the time.

They'd known each other since childhood, and had went down different paths after growing up, which had made them less close. Zhang Zian acknowledged his complaints, but he didn't agree with his attitude. He didn't say anything back, and just listened and occasionally commented.

As they talked, Xie Tao suddenly realized that he was doing most of the talking, which made him seem impolite. He abruptly changed the topic and smiled. ”I'll stop talking about myself. How are you doing? I passed by your pet shop this morning, and your business seems fine. A few people were looking at pets in the store, and most them were young girls.”

Zhang Zian smiled as well. ”Brother Tao, didn't you watch the news from a few months ago? There was a picture going viral on Wechat Moments. An online business website published a PPT on consumers' investment and market value. In terms of market value, it was young girls>kids>young women>elders>dog>men. Then somebody online added 'cat' in front of young girls, which made it cats> young girls>kids>young women>elders>dog>men...”

It was better to spend money on dogs over men, and cats over women. This was a sound conclusion.

”Ha! Yes, yes, I've seen this! You just reminded me of it!” Xie Tao tapped his head as if he was having a sudden epiphany. ”I get it. You mean that it's harder to make money from men than from young girls? It's true. You gotta find the right business targets! I'm not good at this. I'm not business material. I'm afraid that the shop that my parents left me is going to collapse under my managment.”

Zhang Zian gave him some suggestions. ”Brother Tao, how about getting more women's shoes? And reading some women's fashion magazines to pick up on trends. Maybe that'll work.”

Although he came to take over the shop, they were old acquaintances and had grew up together. He still wanted to help Xie Tao out if he could. Even if he couldn't take over his store, he could always try his luck with another one.

After hearing this, Xie Tao waved his hands and smiled bitterly. ”Zian, I appreciate your good intentions, but no, I'm done with it. I'm not good at this, and I don't have the skills for sales. I always let the customers shop around by themselves, and I'll only look for their size for them if they feel like trying it on. If customers ask me what material the sole and the upper part is, all I know is the most basic cloth, leather, rubber, and mesh. I can't answer anything else.”

Zhang Zian secretly shook his head. No wonder the business was declining, from the way Xie Tao was doing business. He himself didn't know much about pets in the beginning, but he'd bought lots of books to cram with, so that he could answer the customer's difficult questions. Fina could teach kittens to dance, but not all customers came in to buy dancing kittens. Like the girl Vivi, if he never learned from his studying that Siberian Forest cats were non-allergenic, he would have missed a good sale.

”Well, you can keep learning more about it,” he continued to persuade him.

Xie Tao shook his head. ”I don't have the time, nor the focus to read. I'm not like you. I never enjoyed reading since I was a kid, and it gives me headaches. It's over. I don't want to continue anyways. After finding a way to sell all the shoes I have in stock, I'll head home for the Spring Festival with my wife and kid.”

Zhang Zian's heart was pained, and he asked, ”Brother Tao, what are you going to do with your store?”

Xie Tao was silent for a while, and answered without much certainty. ”I'll sell it if I can. If not, I'll rent it out. Even renting is a source of income, and will be better than how things are going on now. I'm just wasting my energy here.”

Zhang Zian hesitated for a moment and finally asked, ”Brother Tao, I'm curious. How much are you planning to sell it for?”

Xie Tao was stunned. ”What? You want to sell yours too? Your shop is doing pretty well. Why are you selling it?”

He'd clearly misunderstood Zhang Zian's question.

”No, I'm not. Actually, I'm planning on expanding. I'll buy it if your price is decent.” Zhang Zian answered honestly and then watched Xie Tao's face nervously. They were store neighbors, right next to the other. One was doing badly and was forced to close, while the other was doing well and needed to expand. Their drastic differences could easily lead Xie Tao to aversion and resistance.

Xie Tao's face remained still. Just as Zhang Zian was beginning to worry, the other suddenly laughed in relief. ”That's great! I was just about to advertise it to a real estate broker. If you want to buy it, it'll save me a huge broker fee. It works out for both of us.”

Zhang Zian heard his sincerity, and didn't think he seemed jealous at all. He asked in relief, ”Brother Tao, don't you think that it's a pity to sell the store though?”

”Not at all. How could it be? People have to change to survive. I'm not a nostalgic person. Why would I keep enduring through this if I know that I'm not the right person for business? Don't you agree?” Xie Tao continued on with ease. ”I'm needed more by my kid and wife. After selling the store, I'll buy a bigger house for them, and I won't live in Binhai City anymore. Maybe I'll come back for a drink with you, sometimes in the future.”

Zhang Zian tried to suppress his excitement and nodded. ”Sure, Brother Tao, it'll be my treat. This is big news. Are you going to discuss it with you wife?”