Development Sample

I nodded and said, "Yes, that's exactly what I mean. Sister Fang, since you take in large orders, you surely need factories to handle the production. Could you perhaps allocate a portion of those orders to my friend?"

Sister Fang replied, "That is not a problem at all. However, you must ensure the quality, and you need to arrange the manufacturing processes reasonably. Otherwise, for the exact same product, someone else might produce it for twenty yuan and still make a profit, while you wouldn't even cover your costs."

I nodded and said, "Sister Fang, I understand the logic behind what you're saying."

Sister Fang smiled and said, "Alright then, I'll have Xiao Fu get the samples for you. You can pick out a few suitable ones and give it a try."

With that, Sister Fang went outside and spoke a few words to Younger Sister Fu.

Younger Sister Fu then walked in carrying some sample blueprints and physical items. Seeing me, she smiled and said, "A-Feng, these are all samples. Take a look and see which ones are suitable, then take them to give it a try. Here is the price list; look it over and see if there's any profit in producing them."

I thought to myself that Sister Yang's small workshop lacked in equipment, technology, and capital alike, so I could only select simple samples.

Therefore, I picked out a simple stainless steel pneumatic cylinder and said, "We can try making this one."

Younger Sister Fu said, "These stainless steel pneumatic cylinders come in dozens of different models, both large and small. We originally sourced them from the Dexi Company. This particular model of stainless steel cylinder costs thirty-two yuan per unit when bought from them, whereas sourcing it from other pneumatic factories with the exact same quality costs eighteen yuan per unit."

Hearing this, I couldn't help but ask, "Why is there such a huge difference in price?"

Younger Sister Fu explained, "There's no helping it. Dexi Company is the leading enterprise in the domestic pneumatic industry, and some clients specifically designate this brand."

Mingzhou is a major manufacturing city where machinery and garment textiles are renowned. Among its districts, Qingxi is a nationally famous production base for pneumatic and hydraulic components.

Dexi Company is indeed the industry leader in domestic pneumatics. This Taiwan-funded enterprise started manufacturing pneumatic products over thirty years ago, at a time when domestic markets were not yet familiar with such goods.

Now, with the rise of automated equipment, the application of pneumatic products has become increasingly widespread, as almost all automated machinery requires pneumatic components.

Younger Sister Fu further explained, "These stainless steel cylinders require about ten thousand sets a month. A complete set consists of a dozen or so models of varying sizes. The prices are all on the price list. I'll make a rough calculation—it comes out to an output value of over one hundred thousand. Is that enough?"

Hearing this, I couldn't help shaking my head and saying, "With so many varieties and such complexity, I'm afraid it won't be easy to handle."

Younger Sister Fu then handed me a pneumatic aluminum cylinder and asked, "Can this one be produced? It costs forty yuan per unit and was originally sourced from Tiansheng Company, with a demand of around a thousand units a month. Oh, right, this batch of products is for the domestic market, so the quality requirements are relatively low."

Hearing this, my heart stirred. Sister Yang's factory specialized in producing the two aluminum end caps and aluminum pistons for pneumatic cylinders. These aluminum end caps and pistons are cast using aluminum die-casting machines and then processed on CNC lathes.

Tiansheng Company would source a batch of end caps from Sister Yang's factory and then assemble them with other accessories into complete cylinders. Of course, Tiansheng Company didn't just source aluminum end caps from Sister Yang alone; they had many other suppliers as well.

So I said, "This one is relatively simple. Let's produce this."

Younger Sister Fu said, "There are also many types and models of aluminum cylinders. Some are standard sizes while others are non-standard. Generally speaking, non-standard products have smaller quantities and higher prices, whereas standard products face fierce competition, resulting in lower prices."

I understood this logic and said, "Let's produce standard cylinders for now!" After all, standard product accessories are easier to buy, and the production process is relatively straightforward.

Seeing me chatting with Younger Sister Fu, Sister Fang walked in with a smile and said, "A-Feng, take them to try out. See which one is easier, and produce that product."

I replied, "Alright." Younger Sister Fu helped put the samples and blueprints into two boxes. She asked, "A-Feng, did you drive here? I can help you carry them to your car."

I awkwardly replied, "I came here by the subway."

Younger Sister Fu said, "Then that's troublesome. How are you going to carry two boxes of samples back on the subway all by yourself?"

Sister Fang smiled and said, "Xiao Fu, can't you just drive him back?"

Hearing this, Younger Sister Fu hesitated for a moment. I smiled and said, "If you're reluctant, never mind."

Younger Sister Fu said, "It's fine, I'll drive you back."

I said, "Sorry to bother you, then."

Younger Sister Fu smiled and said, "A-Feng, no need to be polite. The business deal you introduced to me was my first pot of gold."

With that, she picked up the lighter box containing the blueprints, while I carried the heavier box loaded with samples.

Together, we went down to the underground parking lot, where Younger Sister Fu unlocked a brand-new white BMW 3 Series.

I admired it and said, "Is this your car? It's very nice."

Younger Sister Fu happily said, "I bought this car with the money I earned from the business deal you helped me secure."

I thought to myself that others were making money while I had worked hard for nothing and gotten nothing in return. It seemed I truly was a big fool; no wonder Jin Yulian only agreed to be my lover and never wanted to marry me.

Younger Sister Fu drove me to Sister Yang's company, and I introduced them to each other. By this time, it was already noon.

Sister Yang treated Younger Sister Fu to lunch at a restaurant, and of course, I accompanied them. After the meal and a brief chat, Younger Sister Fu drove back.

Sister Yang and I returned and immediately began preparing for sample production. Producing pneumatic cylinders is not actually complicated.

There are hundreds of large and small pneumatic product manufacturing factories in and around Qingxi, which has long formed a complete industrial chain for pneumatic products. The required accessories are very easy to purchase, and even if one doesn't know how to make something, it is easy to hire skilled technicians.

Through our efforts, dozens of samples were successfully produced. I took Sister Yang and delivered the samples to Sister Fang's company.

Sister Li was still not around. I privately asked Xiao Lu, and she told me that the company's daily management was handled entirely by Sister Fang. Sister Li only dropped by occasionally. Of course, Sister Li also took orders, but the ones she accepted were exclusively large contracts.

After the samples were delivered, Sister Fang said, "These samples will be sent out for trial use. If there are no issues, mass production can begin next month."

Sister Yang and I expressed our gratitude to Sister Fang and the others before leaving. Afterward, I accompanied Sister Yang to Tiansheng Company to collect payment for goods. Through a combination of tough and gentle tactics, we finally managed to recover three hundred thousand yuan in overdue payments, though we also ended up offending Tiansheng Company in the process.

A week later, Sister Fang called to say that the samples had passed testing with no issues and mass production could commence.

Sister Yang was overjoyed upon hearing this and insisted on showing her gratitude by personally cooking several dishes and pouring me a full glass of wine.

After finishing her meal, Xiao Ya went upstairs by herself, and I felt that it was finally time for me to leave Sister Yang's place.