Hong Kong variety show: From being bitten by a cockroach to becoming a legend

This series of questions, logically clear and to the point, was completely unlike what a middle school dropout and gangster would ask. Huang Lei's heart was stirred again, and her assistant, who had been silent all along, also frowned deeply, clearly not expecting Song Zhaowen to be so difficult and shrewd.

"Mr. Song has considered things very carefully." Huang Lei had to admit that she was starting to enjoy this head-to-head challenge: "We can agree on the details of channel coverage and pricing mechanisms in the rules to ensure transparency. Your other suggestions... can also be included in the discussion."

"Oh, right, there's one last point. I basically have no problem with you handling all the distribution, but I want to keep some of my own land in Tsz Wan Shan."

Song Zhaowen's sudden remark startled Huang Lei and her assistant.

"Mr. Song, you need to understand that we're signing an exclusive agency agreement for Hong Kong. What you're doing isn't in accordance with the rules."

Song Zhaowen replied irrelevantly, "Miss Huang, you must have thoroughly investigated my background before you came here."

"I....."

Song Zhaowen stopped Huang Lei from speaking: "It's human nature, it's understandable; you know I've been an orphan since I was little, growing up eating food from many families and wearing clothes from many families. The old man selling newspapers at the street corner would give me a leftover pineapple bun when he saw me walking unsteadily from hunger. The old woman who collects recyclables downstairs would move her coal stove to the stairwell when it was cold, so that we homeless wild children could have some warmth."

He turned around, leaning against the window, the light and shadow cutting out a contour of light and shadow on his face.

"Later, I joined a gang. To be honest, I just wanted to live like a human being and stop being treated like trash. Then, when I made these beef balls, the first person to buy them was Mrs. Zhang from next door, who used to call me a 'loser' every day. She said, 'Ah Wen, these meatballs smell delicious. Give me two to try. If they're not good, I'll curse you for three blocks!'"

At this moment, Song Zhaowen was channeling his inner movie star, coupled with his magnetic voice.

Huang Lei and the other girls present were all deeply moved, their minds filled with countless images.

Song Zhaowen smiled as he said this, "I'm not saying this to make you pity me."

"Miss Huang." Song Zhaowen walked back to his desk, placed his hands on the surface, leaned forward slightly, and looked honestly into Huang Lei's eyes: "I, Song Zhaowen, have come this far thanks to the soil of Tsz Wan Shan, the water of Tsz Wan Shan, and the kindness of the Tsz Wan Shan neighborhood. The beef ball business requires little investment, even housewives and grandmothers can do it. I want all the neighbors to become small agents and earn a living."

After Song Zhaowen finished speaking, the office fell into a brief silence.

A flicker of realization crossed Huang Lei's eyes. So that's how it is... He wasn't trying to preserve a "private plot" for himself to sell his goods, but rather he wanted to find a small way for that forgotten corner of Tsz Wan Shan to make a living. Letting neighbors act as agents and earn some extra income... This vision was a level higher and much more practical than she had imagined.

Song Zhaowen noticed the change in their expressions and knew that the time was right. He straightened up, his tone becoming more pragmatic:

"Ms. Wong, I know the rules of exclusive agency in Hong Kong. But rules are rigid, people are flexible. The situation in Tsz Wan Shan is special. The government doesn't care, the industry is declining, and young people either go to the city to work or just hang out on the streets. My beef ball business can't be big, but it has low barriers to entry and is easy to learn. It allows the neighbors to pick up and sell goods right at their doorstep, earn some money for groceries and mortgage payments, or even just let the grandmas buy a couple more pounds of fruit, or let the students have something decent to do after school instead of hanging out with those scoundrels..."

He paused, looked into Huang Lei's eyes, and said sincerely, "I don't need any extra discounts from you, nor will I let them disrupt market prices. I can sign a guarantee agreement with them, ensuring that sales will only take place within the Ciyunshan area I've designated, and that the price will follow your guidance price, and will never leak out."

"This..." Huang Lei's assistant couldn't help but speak in a low voice, seemingly wanting to raise questions from a business risk perspective, but Huang Lei stopped her by raising her hand.

Huang Lei pondered. At first glance, Song Zhaowen's suggestion seemed to undermine the purity of the exclusive agency agreement, but upon closer examination, it might not be a bad thing.

First, the sales volume accounts for a very small percentage, so the impact is negligible.

Secondly, he positioned "Tsz Wan Shan Agency" as a community micro-economy with a strong focus on poverty alleviation and community building. This could be packaged as an excellent publicity case of "Chung Tin Group joining hands with local entrepreneurs to fulfill social responsibility and give back to the community," which would be a plus for the group's image.

Furthermore, with Song Zhaowen personally managing and guaranteeing the project, the risks are controllable.

More importantly, Song Zhaowen's magnanimity and action in "helping his fellow villagers when he is successful" made her see the deeper value of this partner. He is not a nouveau riche who only focuses on immediate interests; he has his own foundation, principles, and long-term vision.

Working with someone like that might be more reassuring and offer more room for imagination than working with a pure realist.

Huang Lei tapped her fingers lightly on the table a few times, a habitual gesture when she was thinking. After a moment, she looked up, a decisive glint in her eyes.

"Mr. Song's concern for his hometown is truly admirable." She slowly began, "As a local Hong Kong company, Wong Tin Group has always been committed to social welfare and community development. Mr. Song's idea... although it differs from the standard exclusive agency agreement, its starting point and ultimate effect are in line with our group's philosophy; however, the company is not something I can decide alone, I need to go back and discuss it with the shareholders."

This is already a clear sign of concession.

Up to this point, Song Zhaowen had basically achieved the result he wanted.

Pushing them too far might backfire.

Seeing that he had gained the upper hand, Song Zhaowen quickly withdrew his aggressive and sharp expression, reverting to his usual casual,江湖-like demeanor. He leaned back, crossed his legs, and lightly tapped his fingers on the table.

"Miss Huang is straightforward." He smiled and said, "I'm only half-baked when it comes to fighting, but I'm not very good at business. As for the specific details, let our lawyers work them out slowly. Anyway, my side is just a makeshift team, with only a self-taught legal advisor. It can't compare to the professionalism of your large corporation's legal department. When the terms are presented, as long as the general direction is correct, please be lenient with the details. I'm not an unreasonable person."

That's a well-chosen statement; it gives the other party a way out. Of course, he will never budge on the core bottom lines.

Upon hearing this, Huang Lei's tense nerves relaxed a little. The worst thing in negotiations is encountering an opponent who is unforgiving and relentlessly presses for an advantage.

Song Zhaowen knew how to restrain his sharpness at crucial moments and grasp the right timing. This sense of proportion in advancing and retreating made her think even more highly of this "gangster".