Rebirth: Fan Debiao rises from the Liaobei land

June 28th, the day after Fan Debiao and Gangzi returned from Guangdong.

Early in the morning, Fan Debiao stood in front of the empty storefront across from the department store. The roller shutter was rusty, and the red "For Rent" sign that had been posted last time was now just a single character left after being soaked by the rain.

Gangzi, a cigarette dangling from his lips, asked, "Brother Biao, is this place alright?"

"It has to be done, whether it works or not." Fan Debiao took out the key—he got it from the landlord yesterday, and had already paid 35,000 yuan as a deposit and three months' rent in advance.

The roller shutter door swung open with a clatter, releasing a musty smell. In the 130-square-meter space, broken clothes hangers and tattered cardboard boxes discarded by the previous tenant were piled on the floor. A faded poster hung in the corner, featuring a model with long hair and flared pants, and the words "Fashion Women's Clothing" were written on it.

"Get out of here, get everything out of here." Fan Debiao kicked open a cardboard box. "We need to find a renovation team today."

In the afternoon, on the third floor of Victoria.

After listening to Fan Debiao's plan, Wu Derong put his teacup on the table and said, "Well, Debiao, go for it. The renovation will definitely be top-notch, and we must make a big splash from the start."

"Yes, it's definitely not going to work if it's set up like a roadside shop." Fan Debiao refilled his tea. "Mr. Wu, I've thought of a name for the shop: Biao Rong Communications. We'll each take one character from our names."

Wu Derong spat out a mouthful of tea: "What the hell? Biao Rong? How did you even come up with such a lousy name?!"

"So, what would you like to call it?"

After pondering for a while, Wu Derong said, "Your name is Fan Debiao, and my name is Wu Derong. We both have the character 'De' in our names. Let's call it Dexing Communications. Good character leads to prosperous business."

"Dexing..." Fan Debiao muttered twice, "Okay, this name is auspicious."

"Also," Wu Derong said, "when registering with the business administration bureau, write down as wide a scope of business as possible. Sales, repair, telecommunications engineering, equipment leasing... write down everything that's even remotely related. The checks are strict now, so don't let anyone find fault with it later."

"clear."

"I've already spoken to Section Chief Liu; you can go directly there this afternoon."

The office of Section Chief Liu on the second floor of the Industry and Commerce Bureau.

Fan Debiao offered a cigarette as he entered—a Huazi brand. Section Chief Liu took it and tucked it behind his ear: "Old Wu told me about Dexing Communications, right? Did you bring all the necessary materials?"

"All done." Fan Debiao placed a stack of documents on the table.

Section Chief Liu flipped through the documents: "What should I write for the scope of business?"

"Write down anything you can think of," Fan Debiao leaned closer. "Sales of communication equipment, mobile phone repair, communication engineering construction, equipment leasing, phone bill payment... write down anything you can think of."

Section Chief Liu chuckled: "Are you planning to open a department store?"

"Just in case." Fan Debiao handed over another pack of cigarettes. "Section Chief Liu, thank you for your help."

"Alright." Section Chief Liu took out a form and started filling it out. He asked after each item, "Should we include the used mobile phone recycling section?"

"Write!"

"What about wholesale mobile phone accessories?"

"Write!"

"Communications technology consulting?"

"Write!"

The last business scope form was filled with dense writing, like a prescription. When Section Chief Liu stamped it, he said, "Xiao Fan, if your shop doesn't succeed, it would be a disservice to such a comprehensive business scope."

"We can definitely get it done." Fan Debiao carefully put the copy of the license away. "Section Chief Liu, what about tax registration..."

"Go downstairs to apartment 103 and find Xiao Wang. Tell him I sent you."

After completing the tax registration, Fan Debiao went to the mobile company.

When Manager Zhou from the channel department saw him arrive again, he asked, "Boss Fan, has the license been issued?"

"It's down." Fan Debiao placed the copy on the table. "Manager Zhou, I've thought about that matter we discussed last time. I want all those Nokia, Motorola, and Siemens mass-produced machines, and I'll pay cash upfront."

Manager Zhou adjusted his glasses: "Cash payment is possible, and the price is more competitive, but the minimum order is twenty units."

"I want thirty of each," Fan Debiao said, "but on one condition—you have to give me a price guarantee policy."

"What do you mean?"

"The price of the machine has dropped, you have to make up the difference for me," Fan Debiao said clearly. "Mobile phone prices drop quickly these days. If I buy it today and the price drops tomorrow, I'll lose money hand over fist!"

Manager Zhou shook his head: "There's no such rule."

"Then let's set a price guarantee period." Fan Debiao didn't back down. "One month. If the price drops within a month, you'll make up the difference. After a month, I'll accept whatever price drop it makes."

Manager Zhou thought for a moment: "Fifteen days."

"Twenty-five days."

"Twenty days, no more than that," Manager Zhou said. "And we only guarantee genuine products. We don't deal in parallel imports, and you shouldn't touch them either."

"I never intended to deal with counterfeit goods." Fan Debiao held out his hand. "Deal."

That evening, Fan Debiao called Awei to his office.

"The renovation budget needs to be redone," he said. "It's 130 square meters, and we'll be doing the best renovations in Kaiyuan."

Awei flipped through the notebook: "Brother Biao... President Fan, such a large area, the whole thing would cost fifty or sixty thousand."

"Pretend it." Fan Debiao lit a cigarette. "Use aluminum composite panels for the storefront, and gild the lettering. Paint the walls white inside, tile the floors, use glass display cases, and have the brightest lights. Also, partition off a small office where I usually sit and oversee things."

As Awei took notes, she asked, "What about the construction period?"

"One month," Fan Debiao said. "It must open by July 30th. Tell your cousin that if the job is done well, I'll give him an extra bonus."

"My cousin must be ecstatic." Awei closed her notebook. "Mr. Fan, has the license been issued?"

"It's done, Dexing Communications."

"Dexing...that's a good name." Awei smiled. "It's better than Biaorong Communications."

"You also think Biao Rong Communications is outdated?"

"It's not that it's tacky," Avi smiled, "it's that it looks too much like a shop run by thugs."

Fan Debiao laughed: "Get lost."

Awei walked to the door, then turned back: "Mr. Fan, how about we have dinner together tonight?"

"I need to go to the store tonight to meet with the renovation team."

"Then I'll go with you."

"No need, you can go home now."

Awei stood there without moving. Fan Debiao looked up at her; her eyes sparkled in the light.

"Then... I'll bring you breakfast tomorrow." After saying that, Awei walked away quickly.

Fan Debiao shook his head and continued looking at the renovation plans. He looked for a long time, but couldn't absorb a single word.

The renovation team arrived in early July.

Awei's cousin, surnamed Zhao, was in his forties and covered in wood chips. He held up the blueprints and gestured to Fan Debiao: "Boss Fan, this storefront is twelve meters long, with gilded lettering, unique in Kaiyuan. I'll use solid wood for the display cases inside, with glass covers and LED strips embedded inside. When it's lit up, it'll look like a jewelry store."

"Master Zhao, if you do a good job, money is not a problem," Fan Debiao said, "but the quality must be guaranteed. I don't want the display case to collapse within three days of my opening."

"No way!" Master Zhao patted his chest. "I've been in the renovation business for fifteen years and I've never had a single quality problem."

"That's fine then."

The first three days were spent demolishing the old structures. The old, broken walls and rotten floors were all cleared away, piling up across half the street. On the fourth day, they started fixing the plumbing and electrical systems. Master Zhao led five or six workers, working enthusiastically with a clanging and banging sound.

Fan Debiao came to supervise every day. Gangzi also became a supervisor, sitting on a small stool by the door, coughing whenever he saw a worker slacking off.

That afternoon, Wu Derong also arrived.

"Wow, that's huge." Wu Derong walked around the room with his hands behind his back. "De Biao, you've invested quite a bit."

"You can't catch a wolf without risking your cub." Fan Debiao offered a cigarette. "Mr. Wu, the first payment of 500,000 has already been transferred, and the goods will arrive before the end of the month. Nokia and Motorola have also put down another 200,000."

How much working capital do you have left?

"A little over ten thousand," Fan Debiao said. "That should last for three months. After three months, we should break even."

Wu Derong nodded: "It's good that you know. By the way, how's your niece doing lately?"

"We found her a job at a trading company, which is good."

"Oh." Wu Derong didn't say anything more, turned around and left.

Gangzi leaned closer: "Brother Biao, what does it mean that Boss Wu keeps asking about Xiao Cui?"

"It's meaningless." Fan Debiao watched Wu Derong's retreating figure. "Get back to work."

The license was issued on July 15th.

Fan Debiao hung the framed business license on the newly renovated wall. White wall, gold frame, red seal—it looked impressive.

The business scope listed more than twenty items, ranging from mobile phone sales to communications engineering, from accessories wholesale to technical consulting—everything imaginable.

Awei stood to the side watching: "President Fan, now we can do anything."

"Hmm." Fan Debiao lit a cigarette. "Just waiting for the goods to arrive."

On July 20th, TCL called: the proportioning has been completed, and the product will be shipped on time in mid-September. The white 3188 accounts for 33%, and ten sample units will be sent over tomorrow for demonstration.

On July 22nd, Xiaxin also called: the order fulfillment was completed, with the A8 accounting for 38%, and it would arrive at the end of September, along with ten sample units.

Fan Debiao started recruiting. He posted a notice: "Two female shop assistants needed, aged 18 to 25, high school diploma or above. One month probation period: 800 yuan; after probation: 1,000 yuan."

More than twenty applicants came. Fan Debiao asked Awei to help with the interviews, and finally chose two girls: one named Xiaojuan, a vocational school graduate, who was quick-witted; and the other named Xiaoling, who had previously worked selling cosmetics in a department store and knew how to promote.

"Training starts on July 25th," Fan Debiao told the two girls. "You'll get twenty yuan a day during training, lunch included. If you do well, you'll make plenty of money later."

Xiao Juan asked, "Boss Fan, does your store sell counterfeit goods?"

"No, I won't sell." Fan Debiao said firmly. "I only sell genuine products, with invoices and nationwide warranty."

"Can we compete with others on that price?"

"We can't compete on price, we can compete on service," Fan Debiao said. "Our store is big and bright, and our after-sales service is guaranteed. People who buy mobile phones aren't stupid; it's worth spending an extra two hundred yuan for peace of mind."

July 28th, the renovation was completed.

Master Zhao led Fan Debiao on an inspection: a 130-square-meter shop with a gleaming aluminum composite panel facade, the four large characters "Dexing Communications" visible from afar. Glass doors, glass display cases, and dazzling lights. The floor tiles were so shiny they reflected light, and the walls were covered with mobile phone posters—TCL's Kim Hee-sun, Xiaxin's Gigi Leung, and Nokia and Motorola posters that were on their way.

"How's it going, Boss Fan?" Master Zhao asked.

Fan Debiao circled him three times, finding nothing wrong with it. He pulled out a red envelope: "Master Zhao, thank you for your hard work."

Master Zhao pinched the thickness of the skin, his face crinkling with laughter: "It's my duty, it's my duty!"

That evening, Fan Debiao stood alone in the empty shop.

The lights were all on, making it bright and glaring. The glass display cases were still empty; they would be full once the goods arrived tomorrow.

He lit a cigarette and squatted down by the door to smoke it.

This 130-square-meter property is his first legitimate business in his life.

He invested over 800,000 yuan, betting his entire savings.

Whether it works out or not depends on next month.

After finishing his cigarette, he locked the door. Turning around, he saw Awei walking towards him from across the street, carrying a lunchbox.

"I bet you haven't eaten yet." Avi handed over the lunchbox. "Braised pork with vermicelli, still warm."

Fan Debiao took it; the lunchbox was hot to the touch.

"Thanks."

"No need to thank me." Awei looked at him, "President Fan, it'll definitely work out."

"Mmm." Fan Debiao took a bite of the rice noodles; they smelled delicious.