Stronger by Paying Salaries and I Have 1 Billion Employees

Second, it helped them crack down on the rampant counterfeit and low-quality goods on the platform.

After all, if Ah Li wanted to list on the Nasdaq, it first had to resolve the potential crisis of confidence that the counterfeit issue could trigger.

Paipai Network had never managed to take off precisely because its C2C business model was too dominant. It was plagued by fakes and shoddy products, which severely damaged the user experience.

With the rise of other major general and vertical e-commerce platforms, users gradually abandoned it.

”But from what we’ve seen so far, Pinbei seems to be managing that aspect quite well,”

Zhang Yong countered.

”That’s only because Pinbei’s order volume was low, so the problems haven’t surfaced yet. After Double 12, if Pinbei can’t handle the fallout, they’ll definitely be summoned for a meeting with the Market Supervision Association.”

Ma Liyun spoke with conviction. Ah Li had been through all these stages before.

”Orange Technology’s flagship store on Taobao had sales of 230 million yesterday,” Zhang Yong said slowly.

”Tell the Market Department to accelerate the onboarding of other phone brands. I refuse to believe they won’t be tempted after seeing Orange Mobile Phone’s sales figures,”

Ma Liyun said nonchalantly.

He wouldn’t suppress Orange Technology just because of Pinbei, but diverting some of Orange Mobile Phone’s traffic by introducing other brands was something that had to be done.

Sure enough, that very afternoon, Li Wanqiang from Xiaomi approached Ah Li’s Market Department to negotiate opening a Xiaomi flagship store.

When Huawei, High Technology Corporation, Coolpad, and others learned that Orange Mobile Phone had achieved a stunning 600 million in sales—nearly 300,000 units—in a single day across three online channels (Pinbei, Taobao, and Jingdong), they all scrambled to hold meetings to explore the feasibility of expanding their own third-party sales channels.

Back in Xucheng, Song Yuncheng also received a call from Li Wanqiang.

”That’s right! Xiaomi wants to join Pinbei. We can lower the price to 1,919 yuan. As for the promotional placements on opening day, we’ll have to count on your help, President Song.”

Li Wanqiang said with a laugh.

Due to poor sales, the official price of the Xiaomi Mobile Phone had already dropped from its initial 1,999 yuan to 1,969 yuan, and it had even gone as low as 1,949 yuan during sales events.

But a price of 1,919 yuan was a first.

Previously on FoxTao, Xiaomi had sold phones for the ultra-low price of 1,899 yuan, but that came with conditions: one, only FoxTao’s F5 Diamond-level users were eligible, and two, FoxTao was subsidizing 10 yuan per unit from its advertising budget.

To now be selling it openly at 1,919 yuan showed just how immense the pressure on Lei Yijun was.

”Please rest assured, President Li. I will certainly secure the best on-site resources for Xiaomi that are within my power.”

Song Yuncheng readily agreed.

But to Li Wanqiang, her words sounded extremely vague. He wanted to know the specific data and configuration for the promotional placements—things like pop-ups, homepage banners, or floating windows—but Song Yuncheng deliberately avoided discussing specifics.

After a moment’s thought, Li Wanqiang instantly understood. He tentatively offered a marketing fee of 10 million yuan.

Song Yuncheng immediately stopped beating around the bush. The two quickly came to a preliminary agreement over the phone, confirming the store’s launch date and the promotional package.

Li Wanqiang couldn’t help but give an awkward laugh. ’This Song Yuncheng is every bit the protégée Chen Yansen trained her to be. She won’t lift a finger without seeing a reward.’

After they finished, Song Yuncheng hung up the phone and sent the template contract prepared by the legal department to Li Wanqiang.

Once both legal departments confirmed there were no issues, they signed the partnership contract.

Afterward, Song Yuncheng left her desk, entered the elevator, and went up to the 11th floor.

”Boss, Xiaomi Mobile Phone wants to join Pinbei. On top of the security deposit, they’re adding 10 million in advertising fees to purchase promotional placements for their New Year’s Day launch.”

Song Yuncheng stood at the open office door. She knocked first and only entered to give her report after Chen Yansen nodded.