Can following the rules be called rebirth?

Chapter 311, page 309: Overly Proactive Partners
December 31, 2014, 5:00 AM.

While most cities in China were already immersed in the New Year's Eve atmosphere, Hangzhou, known as the "e-commerce capital," woke up early in a completely different way.

In Xiasha District, in the eastern part of the city, major e-commerce parks and logistics centers are still brightly lit.

On every main road, trucks loaded with packages come and go in an endless stream.

New Year's Day is just around the corner.

For ordinary people, it means a three-day holiday, but for this city that resonates with the pulse of the internet, it is just another business opportunity that requires all-out effort.

That's it.

Outside the window, the sky was pitch black, and raindrops tapped against the glass, making a soft, rhythmic sound.

Dai Ying stretched, stepped barefoot onto the floor, quickly finished washing up, and prepared to put on makeup.

Today is the "unpacking day" for a batch of heavyweight new arrivals at the Sijiqing Clothing Market.

For those working in the women's apparel industry, this is more than just a crucial juncture for understanding industry trends.

She opened her professional makeup case, inside which all the supplies were neatly organized.

A matching makeup cushion, blotting paper, spare lipstick, hair drying spray, magic patches to prevent blisters from high heels, breath freshening spray, and a few pieces of high-energy chocolate.

Each item has its designated location, ensuring she can instantly find what she needs during busy breaks.

Next, she casually pinned her long hair up behind her head with a large hair clip and began changing her battle attire.

Veteran Taobao model Dai Ying easily found a standard configuration that had been tested countless times in practice.

Seamless backless bra.

The bra straps are detachable, and the minimalist back design ensures that you won't have an embarrassing bra silhouette when trying on any backless or off-the-shoulder style of clothing.

Ultra-thin, seamless safety pants.

The material is silky smooth and clings to the skin without leaving any marks, making it an essential item for those who frequently put on and take off pants or skirts.

Next, I prepared my own trial outfit as a base layer.

A black stretchy U-neck vest and a basic pair of black pants.

It's so convenient that many tops can be worn directly on the outside for display.

These are all experiences she accumulated over many years as a print model.

To minimize obstacles during clothing changes, while avoiding any marks that might affect the presentation of the garments.

She didn't have time to put on makeup at home. She quickly patted on a layer of moisturizing lotion, put on a heavy down jacket with a bare face, casually tied up her long hair, picked up the handbag containing high heels and simple makeup supplies, and silently blended into the deepest night before dawn in Hangzhou.

On the way to Sijiqing by taxi, Dai Ying looked at the city skyline rushing past the window, calculated the time, and sent a message to her assistant.

[Mr. Zhou and his team will arrive around noon. Could you go and greet them, take them to the hotel to rest, and we'll have dinner together tonight? Have you made reservations at the restaurant yet?]

OK, boss, don't worry.

In fact, MALA ACTIVE, which she founded, is already on the right track.

As the boss, she no longer needs to personally go back to the arduous job of being a Taobao model.

But a deeper anxiety was driving her.

Feedback from online data always lags behind that from the front lines of the market.

Perhaps sometimes, only by personally standing back on that small display stand and feeling the most direct and enthusiastic reactions from wholesalers all over the country can she truly feel the pulse of the trend.

Moreover, Dai Ying is also on a more important secret mission this time as she returns to Sijiqing.

Before six o'clock in the morning, the Sijiqing Clothing Market was already awake.

The massive complex lay dormant in the rain, but its interior was bustling with activity.

The screeching sound of trailer wheels rubbing against the ground, the clattering of shop shutters opening, and early-rising stall owners greeting each other.
In the barbaric era, life was everywhere.

Knowing the way well, Dai Ying navigated the maze-like passages and went straight to a shop on the third floor of Zhongzhou Clothing City.

This shop is quite large and well-known in Sijiqing. The owner, Yang Xiaolan, is an old acquaintance of Dai Ying who has worked with her for many years.

"Hey! Isn't this our beautiful Dai Ying?"

What brings you back today?

Yang Xiaolan was directing her staff to move the newly arrived large packages when she saw Dai Ying, and her face immediately lit up with a smile.

She was nearly forty, slightly plump, and her eyes revealed the shrewdness and competence characteristic of businesswomen from Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

Dai Ying took off her down jacket, revealing the clothes underneath, and smiled.

"Sister Lan, what are you saying!"

"Now that I own my own shop, I dare not disconnect from the market, for fear that my aesthetic sense will fall behind and I will be eliminated by the times."

Leave today to me~

She spoke casually, as if she really was just there to relive old memories and find inspiration.

With just a few words, she managed to sway Yang Xiaolan aside.

However, she would never easily reveal her true thoughts to outsiders.

"You young people are so quick-witted and have so many ideas!"

Yang Xiaolan patted her on the shoulder, her tone tinged with emotion.

"The stage has been prepared for you for a long time. We're counting on you to bring us some crowds today!"

"Don't worry, Sister Huang, I guarantee I'll complete the mission!"

Dai Ying smiled and agreed, her gaze turning to the familiar yet unfamiliar battlefield.

At 7:00 a.m. sharp, Dai Ying stood on a wooden height-increasing display stand of about one square meter in the store, ready to put on the pattern.

She wore high heels, and her calves were long and straight.

The store's dozen or so shelves were densely packed with new clothing.

With its vibrant colors, diverse materials, and constantly arriving boxes of new goods being unpacked, displayed, and arranged, the entire store resembles a high-speed fashion factory.

Below the stage, wholesalers, buyers, and physical store owners from all over the country had already gathered. Most of them were carrying large black plastic bags or pulling small trailers, their bright eyes fixed on the stage, not wanting to miss a single detail.

"Does anyone want this one?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Dai Ying almost instantly took off the previous outfit she was wearing and neatly changed into another one.

The movements were fluid and without any hesitation; turning around, sideways, and slightly crouching.

The movements, though few, are precisely demonstrated from every angle; it's incredibly professional.

"I want! Fifty gray ones and thirty blue ones!"

"Give me twenty of these purple ones to try!"

"I want them all! One hundred of each color, please!"

Arms shot up instantly from the audience, and shouts of scrambling filled the air.

These experienced buyers often make a judgment within seconds and decide whether to place an order.

Their decisions directly determine whether this product can become a bestseller and flow into the national market.

After receiving the news, Dai Ying quickly took over the next set while glancing at the eager buyers out of the corner of her eye, silently noting which styles received the most enthusiastic response, which colors were more popular, and which details were repeatedly asked.

This is the firsthand information she needs.

Sijiqing, this vast clothing empire, is itself a dazzling labyrinth.

More than a dozen large shopping malls are connected, and tens of thousands of stalls are lined up one after another.

Not far from the store, another stall had hired a stylishly dressed DJ to spin and rap, and the models changed clothes even faster, making the atmosphere even more exciting, turning it into a fashion party that never ends.

Here, the models wearing the pattern demonstrate an old saying with astonishing speed.

time is money.

Changing outfits every five or six seconds, displaying more than a dozen outfits per minute, and changing hundreds or even thousands of outfits a day is commonplace.

Their lives were put on fast-forward on this small stage.

By 11 a.m., after more than three hours of continuous high-intensity work, Dai Ying had tried on over 350 outfits. Her forehead was already beaded with sweat, her calves were slightly sore from standing for so long and the pressure of high heels, and her waist was beginning to stiffen.

But she still maintained her best condition.

Every turn, every smile, is infectious.

Just then, the crowd parted slightly, and three figures—one man and two women—appeared at the shop entrance.

Zhou Mingyuan's gaze quickly swept over the bustling scene inside the store, finally landing on the figure on the display stand.

Dai Ying also saw the long-awaited partner, and her expression was clearly somewhat surprised.

While the sales assistant was handing over the next outfit, she quickly winked at Zhou Mingyuan as a greeting.

She didn't leave the stage immediately, but insisted on showing off the last two outfits before finding an opportunity to jog off the stage in her high heels, grab a bottle of mineral water, and gulp it down several times.

"So you used to work in an environment like this?"

Zhou Mingyuan witnessed the entire scene that resembled a battlefield and couldn't help but sigh.

Even though he had lived two lives, he still found this scene somewhat novel.

At the same time, he looked at Dai Ying with new respect.

No girl who starts from scratch is easy to succeed.
Dai Ying is hardworking, resourceful, and capable of making it through hardship and building her own career. She definitely has something special.

"Yes."

Dai Ying wiped the water stains from the corners of her mouth with a tissue; her breathing was still a little rapid.

"That's how it is when you get busy."

Around noon, Dai Ying invited Zhou Mingyuan and He Min to sit down in a corner at the back of the shop and ordered several takeout meals.

The simple tomato and egg rice bowl had just been delivered, and Dai Ying had only taken a couple of bites when a new wave of customers poured into the store, specifically asking to see the new sample garments.

"Sorry, Mr. Zhou, please eat first."

Dai Ying immediately put down her chopsticks, and without the slightest hesitation, stood back on the small display stand and began to operate the business.

Zhou Mingyuan exchanged a glance with He Min, then looked thoughtfully at the quickly cooled rice bowl next to him.

This woman's dedication and hard work exceeded his expectations.

He had seen too many business partners who, when faced with similar situations, would often put aside their work to prioritize entertaining him, an important client.

It's all about social etiquette!
But Dai Ying is more authentic.

She seemed to be putting her promise into practice.

Let him see the market that is closest to the front line with his own eyes.

"A hot seller! Absolutely a hot seller! I'll take two hundred of these dresses!"

"And that quick-drying T-shirt above, one hundred pieces each of white and gray!"

"."

The sound of buyers placing orders could be heard continuously from below the stage.

Yang Xiaolan weaved through the crowd, recording orders while using a walkie-talkie to contact the back warehouse to prepare goods, keeping her extremely busy.

"The sweatshirt next to it only has about thirty pieces, and the unit price is low, so it doesn't sell in large quantities."

"Then take it off the shelves!"

In Sijiqing, no one shyes away from talking about money.

Everyone here is like a wound-up top, driven to spin wildly by the ever-changing e-commerce industry.

Zhou Mingyuan quietly observed everything in front of him.

The outfits showcased by Taobao models can quickly become a trend, with a single customer sometimes placing an order for hundreds or even thousands of items.

These young clothing models, with their beauty, figures, professionalism, and hard work, have genuinely built businesses worth millions or even tens of millions.

Taking advantage of a break between the next wave of people, Dai Ying went offstage to rest again, walked over to Yang Xiaolan, and casually asked her a question.

"Sister Lan, how's business at the shop lately?"

"It's okay, it's okay."

Yang Xiaolan wasn't very wary of Dai Ying, who was one of her own.

After all, yoga pants don't conflict much with their store's mainstream women's clothing category, and the two of them do have a good personal relationship.

"About three or four thousand pieces."

"That's already so many?"

Dai Ying stared in surprise.

Yang Xiaolan's women's clothing store, named Qiao Lafei, is considered to be of medium quality in the entire Sijiqing Clothing Market, with a stable customer base and supply chain.

Back when Dai Ying was still working as a Taobao model, Yang Xiaolan was already selling thousands of items a day.

She quickly calculated in her mind that the sales volume would be three or four thousand units.
Wouldn't the turnover be able to exceed one million?

At 6 p.m., the hustle and bustle of the Sijiqing Market gradually subsided, and some stalls began to pack up and prepare to close.

"Mr. Zhou, I'm so sorry to have troubled you today. I've been so busy that I haven't been able to properly entertain you."

Guests from afar are welcome.

Dai Ying led the guests from Jieyou Media to a nearby authentic Hangzhou cuisine restaurant.

Several exquisite home-style dishes, and a pot of fragrant Longjing tea.

Dai Ying raised her teacup, her eyes and brows beaming with a bright smile.

"Don't mention it, Sister Dai."

The way Zhou Mingyuan addressed me unconsciously became much more intimate.

"We're all family here, and we've learned a lot today. To be honest, if you don't make money with this kind of work ethic, it would be truly outrageous."

The man's words came from the bottom of his heart.

Since MALA ACTIVE established a deep partnership with Jieyou Media, Dai Ying has spared no effort.

With just one sentence from Zhou Mingyuan, she spent almost half a month of her spare time helping him investigate the market.

She not only provided a detailed industry analysis report, but also used all her connections to personally return to Sijiqing, presenting him with a comprehensive and impactful account of the entire industry's supply chain and even customer flow trends.

This dedication goes far beyond the scope of ordinary cooperation.

"Mr. Zhou, you flatter me. Cooperation is a win-win situation, and it's only right that we help each other out."

Dai Ying smiled and waved her hand.

She didn't take credit for it; her attitude was just right.

"No, no, no, Sister Dai, this is different."

Zhou Mingyuan seemed to understand the unspoken meaning behind the other party's words, and instead suppressed his smile.

He has met all sorts of people, and his ability to read people is unparalleled.

Work is work, and personal relationships are personal relationships.

Even when it comes to helping, there are limits to how much you can help.

This was not what he originally expected.

Dai Ying is based in Hangzhou. If he can be introduced to one or two supply chain bosses and given a brief overview of Sijiqing, that would be considered quite generous.

If he were to start his own clothing business, he would have to figure out and negotiate a whole host of details, including product selection, all on his own.

To Zhou Mingyuan's surprise, the enthusiasm of his partners reached such an extreme.

This was no longer a simple act of guidance, but rather an almost complete sharing of knowledge, exposing the entire industry's secrets to him.

This is a bit unusual.
Dai Ying's approach seems a bit over the top.

So, what exactly does she want?
(End of this chapter)