Rebirth 04: Starting from Taking an Unconventional Approach

They arrived at the periodicals section, where they saw more than a dozen upright shelves arranged in two rows, densely packed with various magazines, including *Reader*, *Zhiyin*, *Story Club*, *Youth Digest*, as well as a wide variety of popular science and children's magazines. Several people, young and old, were standing in front of the shelves, looking down and flipping through the magazines.

Han Fei placed the three large bags on the ground, opened one of them, took out a magazine, and handed it to Shen Jian: "Here, Manager Shen, take a look and see where this would be a good place to put it."

Shen Jian weighed the magazine in his hand, then examined it carefully. His face was somewhat effeminate, with thin eyebrows, a soft complexion as if he were wearing makeup, and thick, lustrous hair. In short, if it weren't for a few fine lines on his forehead, he would look younger than thirty.

"Hmm," Shen Jian nodded, looking at Han Fei, "It's very well done. Even if the cover design were placed between 'Story Club' and 'Zhiyin' magazines, it would definitely stand out at a glance. Books are something that people passing by might open if they take a second look, and if they open it, they might buy it. And your Mobile Dream Network label is really impressive."

"Speaking of that," Han Fei said with a smile, "that's not just a gimmick; we've already obtained official certification from China Mobile."

Shen Jian frowned in surprise: "Oh?"

"So, Manager Shen, let's test the waters with this batch of goods first, to gauge the market. If sales are good, I'd like to open a few more stores next month. You see, Xinhua Bookstore has so many branches in Shanghai. This one on Fuzhou Road is the main store, but there are more young people in Xujiahui and Wujiaochang, which aligns well with our content and style."

"There are definitely more young people in Xujiahui and Wujiaochang, which suits your style. However, the purchasing for the stores there is handled by different managers, so I need to talk to them first. If you could give me a copy of the official document certified by China Mobile, I'd have more credibility with it when we talk."

"No problem," Han Fei said. "I'll have someone send it over in a couple of days."

"Alright," Shen Jian said, bending down to pick up four more magazines. He walked to the first magazine rack directly opposite the entrance and placed it on the top shelf. "President Han, this is the most prominent position in the magazine section. Magazines are fast-moving consumer goods, after all, and I really can't make that decision about putting them at the entrance. But this position is where everyone who comes to buy magazines will see them at first glance."

"Manager Shen, thank you for your kind words." Han Fei took out the delivery slip and asked Shen Jian to sign it. "Just because of your position, if this batch of goods doesn't sell, I'll treat everyone in the bookstore to drinks."

Shen Jian laughed heartily and signed the order: "President Han, shall we call it a day? I'll have someone move the magazines to the warehouse."

"And this too," Zhang Ruiyi said, taking out an A4 poster that Jin Hongfa had given her as a gift from her bag and handing it to Shen Jian.

Shen Jian unfolded the poster and looked at it, raising an elegantly shaped eyebrow: "Oh, this works. I can put it at the cashier for you. Customers browsing the poster while queuing to pay is prime time, making it easy to encourage them to make a purchase."

"Thank you, Manager Shen," Zhang Ruiyi said.

Shen Jian smiled back, nodded to Han Fei, took out his phone, made a call, and instructed the person on the other end of the line to come and move the magazines.

Han Fei and Zhang Ruiyi watched as the young men ran over and carried away the magazines before they left with peace of mind.

As the two walked out of the bookstore, Zhang Ruiyi suddenly stopped, almost causing Han Fei, who was following behind looking for a cigarette case, to bump into her.

"What's wrong?" Han Fei asked, taking a cigarette from the pack.

Zhang Ruiyi glanced at her watch: "It's still early before noon. Don't you want to see who's the first to buy the magazine?"

"Good idea," Han Fei said. "Let me have a smoke first."

Five minutes later, they returned to the bookstore and were about to head to the periodicals section when Han Fei saw her. She was standing in front of the cashier, handing a copy of Bluebird Magazine to the cashier, her broad back tucked into her jeans as she wore a zebra-striped top.

Han Fei stopped behind her, feeling full of doubts. Lan Xin, the female author who, like Shan Shi, strongly opposed the publishing house's transformation and eventually left Qingniao, why would she buy Qingniao Magazine, which she despised? Of course, Lan Xin was the pen name she used when publishing her work at Qingniao Publishing House; now she should be called Zhu Tong.

"Hey, that person bought it," Zhang Ruiyi said softly, patting Han Fei's arm.

"Yes, I know her," Han Fei said. "Don't say anything yet."

Zhang Ruiyi blinked, her lips forming a silent "O".

Zhu Tong turned halfway around, not seeing Han Fei. She wrinkled her nose, probably smelling a strong odor of smoke wafting from somewhere. Han Fei knew some people were particularly sensitive to the smell of smoke. Zhu Tong handed the cashier a banknote.

Han Fei moved closer and cleared his throat.

Zhu Tong turned around, a look of surprise on her face, and carefully examined Han Fei before forcing three smiles at him. The first smile was reflexive and fleeting. The second smile was because she recognized Han Fei. The third smile, after receiving the change from the cashier, was a polite, insincere one.

"President Han, it's been a long time." Zhu Tong put the magazine into her handbag.

"Teacher Zhu," Han Fei said, gesturing with his chin towards her bag, "I thought you didn't like this kind of article."

Zhu Tong's smile vanished, replaced by a cold expression: "President, you've misunderstood. I didn't buy it for myself."

"Oh?"

"I have a cousin who really liked the novel you recommended via SMS. I saw that the physical magazine was in stock, so I bought her a copy."

"I see."

Zhu Tong tilted her head to one side, the zebra stripes on her clothes shifting with it: "President Han, I know what you're thinking. Don't you think it's ironic that I left so decisively back then, and now I'm coming to buy your magazine?"

Han Fei remained silent, noticing several guests turning to look at them.

"To be honest, I still loathe what you guys are doing. I've seen the online version, and I was cursing as I watched." Zhu Tong's tone was emotionless, only a slight hint of anger could be felt. "I heard you're signing a lot of authors, with all sorts of tiered contracts and exclusive agreements. Are you trying to snatch up all the authors who can write this kind of content, leaving no one else in the game?"

Han Fei nodded slowly: "Teacher Zhu is so well-informed."

"The literary world is only so big; everyone knows what's going on," Zhu Tong said, her eyes fixed on Han Fei. "But I really want to see for myself just how far you can go with this. If you're just trying to make a quick buck and then disappear after a while, then I won't say anything."

"What if it isn't?"

Zhu Tong shrugged, indicating she didn't have much to say. "I'm leaving, President Han," she said, turning and leaving.

"Who is that?" Zhang Ruiyi asked after Zhu Tong had walked away.

"The old authors," Han Fei said, walking towards the door.

"She said she hated it, but she still bought our magazine, and she kept insisting she was her cousin. It's obvious she wanted to read it herself, isn't it?"

Han Fei chuckled a few times: "I hope that's true."