Chapter 6

Zhang Chen's words were actually just a bluff. It's true that the Pentium motherboard was launched in 1996, but it wasn't announced to the public until March, and it didn't start supplying until May. It only entered China in the second half of the year, around July or August.

Liu Ming felt a bit anxious when he heard this. He had indeed stocked up on a lot of inventory, especially CPUs and motherboards. Since Intel launched the Pentium processor in 1993, there hadn't been much improvement, so the market had been relatively stable. Just before the New Year, he heard that Intel's general agent in China was having a promotion, so Liu Ming, with a heavy heart, stocked up 50,000 yuan worth of goods. If a new product came out next month and his inventory didn't sell, he would really be in trouble.

Liu Ming had been in the business world for two years and wasn't about to be thrown off by a few words from a student. After digesting Zhang Chen's information, he decided to verify the authenticity of the news. If it was true, he needed to make plans early. So he asked, "Where did you go online? I don't think there's the internet in China yet, right? It's all in the newspapers, but no one knows where to go online."

Zhang Chen saw that Liu Ming was starting to take the bait and smiled inwardly. "My dad's office has internet. He works in Kyoto, and I saw it there."

Seeing Zhang Chen's serious expression, Liu Ming felt a sinking feeling in his heart, thinking this was probably true. In this era, due to the lack of transparency, getting accurate information from abroad first could at least help reduce losses, even if it didn't make him rich.

Seeing Liu Ming's heavy expression, Zhang Chen continued, "Bro, you didn't really stock up, did you? If you did, you better sell fast, or you'll be stuck with it." Zhang Chen shook his head.

"I did." Liu Ming gave a bitter smile. He wasn't really cut out for business; he was too trusting. Before Zhang Chen's rebirth, Liu Ming was swindled out of everything in 2005, and it wasn't without reason.

"Then you're in trouble, tsk tsk." Zhang Chen looked almost gleeful, and Liu Ming wanted to punch him in the face.

Liu Ming was depressed for a while, then suddenly remembered, "If you're not buying, why are you telling me all this? Are you just messing with me?"

Zhang Chen chuckled and said, "Bro, I've been checking out a few places before the New Year, and I found that you're the most honest one. You don't cheat people, so I thought I'd give you a heads-up." He then said seriously, "I plan to help you sell computers these few days before school starts. What do you think?"

Liu Ming laughed, "You help me sell computers? Do you know how?"

"Didn't what I just say prove that I know more than you?" Zhang Chen smiled at Liu Ming. "And I don't need a salary or to be responsible for assembly. I'll bring in customers, and you just need to gather the parts I need. I'll build the machines and install the systems. We split the profit 50-50. How about it?"

Liu Ming thought about it. The news Zhang Chen brought was too shocking, and he was a bit dazed. Zhang Chen's show of confidence, though not completely convincing, was close. After some thought, Zhang Chen's proposal seemed to have no downside. The customers would be Zhang Chen's responsibility, and his business wouldn't be affected. Why not?

Seeing Liu Ming still hesitant, Zhang Chen added, "The news about Intel's new product isn't out yet, but if it spreads, everyone will start cutting prices, and it will be tough. Plus, AMD is also planning to launch a new product, code-named 3DNow."

Liu Ming immediately decided, "Alright, but I get 60% of the profit, and we split 40-60."

"No way, it has to be 50-50, and you have to handle the warranty." Zhang Chen was firm. "If you don't agree, I'll talk to other vendors."

Seeing Zhang Chen's determination, Liu Ming sighed, "Alright, 50-50." He then asked curiously, "Do you have a friend who wants to buy a computer?"

Zhang Chen shook his head, "That's none of your business. I'll bring in the customers, and you supply the parts. By the way, give me your contact information."

Liu Ming took a business card from the table, "Here's my beeper number and the landline for my store. You can call me here. How do I contact you?"

Zhang Chen shook his head, "No phone in the dorm, and I don't have a beeper. I'll bring the customers directly to you, and you just need to be in the store."

Liu Ming didn't think much of it. In those days, even beepers were rare among students, and having one, even a numeric one, was a source of envy.

After saying goodbye to Liu Ming, Zhang Chen walked out of the electronics market and strolled along the Qinghe River. He stopped in front of a store selling Lenovo computers.

It was the fifth day of the New Year, and the stores had just opened, but there were still many people looking at computers. With the new school year approaching and Qinghe Street being close to Binhe University, many students were shopping with their parents.

This store only sold Lenovo, but it wasn't like the future specialized stores; it was more like a state-owned business. There were two display computers on the table, and the salespeople were lazy, smoking and playing cards, with no one attending to customers.

Zhang Chen walked around the store and noticed a mother and son. The mother was in her early forties, with big wavy hair, wearing a red coat and leather boots. The son looked about the same age as Zhang Chen, around 14 or 15, with a middle part hairstyle, fair skin, and wearing an Adidas tracksuit, indicating a relatively well-off family.

The mother and son looked at the computers for a long time and asked the salespeople if there was a discount on a Lenovo computer priced at 12,800 yuan. The salespeople, busy with their cards, impatiently said there was no discount. Zhang Chen glanced at the computer's configuration, which was similar to what Liu Ming recommended. Hearing there was no discount, the mother looked disappointed, and the son tugged at her sleeve, pleading softly. It was clear the child wanted the computer, and the parents were just checking out the stores.

The mother pulled the son out of the Lenovo store and into the nearby Founder store.

Founder's prices were slightly lower than Lenovo's, but not by much. Soon, the mother and son left the Founder store, disappointed.

Zhang Chen thought the timing was right and approached the mother and son.

"Auntie, are you buying a computer for your son?" Zhang Chen walked up to them, about a meter away.

The mother in the red coat was surprised, "Yes, who are you?"

"My name is Zhang Chen, and I'm a student at Binhe University." Zhang Chen showed her a fake student ID and said confidently, "I saw you looking at a few stores and didn't find what you wanted. Why don't you tell me your needs? I know a lot about computers and can recommend something for you."

In the 1990s, there weren't many scammers, and people weren't as wary of each other. The woman was interested. "How old are you? You're already in university?"

Zhang Chen smiled, showing eight teeth, "Auntie, I'm 19. I started at Binhe University last summer. School is starting soon, so I'm working a few days early to earn some money. Auntie, what are your names?"