"Chairman, don't hesitate. If the 'Pure Desire' style isn't launched, our HM's market share will be constantly eroded by Meiyou, and we'll be finished!"
"By launching the 'Pure Desire' style, we still have a chance to fight!"
"Once Meiyou goes international and its 'Pure Desire' style spreads globally, it will be too late for us to follow suit!"
Listening to everyone's earnest words, Jiafute's face turned ashen, and he said in a deep voice:
"You're right, then let's quietly launch it, keep a low profile, don't do any promotion, rely on our physical store advantage, and make a fortune in silence!"
"By the time Meiyou finds out, it might already be half a month later. By then, Meiyou's popularity would have long passed, and even if it's exposed, it won't have much impact."
"Chairman is brilliant! Zara copies every day, gets sued every day, and they've all managed to get through it. Consumers are forgetful; at most, there will be a short-term impact."
"Moreover, the 'Pure Desire' style is currently very popular. Even if we get criticized, we can take the opportunity to sell more 'Pure Desire' dresses and earn more!"
"Exactly! Negative traffic is also traffic. As long as revenue goes up, nothing is a problem!"
"Most importantly, if we don't follow the 'Pure Desire' trend, we won't be able to do anything about Meiyou anyway!"
...
Jiafute made up his mind and finalized the decision:
"Then let's immediately launch 'Pure Desire' dresses, and use Meiyou's 'Pure Desire' style to defeat Meiyou!"
"Chairman is brilliant!"
Soon, all HM specialty stores in Singapore and Australia received a message from headquarters:
"Fully launch 'Pure Desire' dresses!"
Many store managers of specialty stores were overjoyed and immediately arranged for staff to close their shops and temporarily suspend business.
Then, they removed the unsellable HM dresses and replaced them with 'Pure Desire' dresses!
Due to the impact of Meiyou International Mall, their stores' business had taken a sharp downturn in recent days, causing them great distress.
Now that the currently popular 'Pure Desire' style was being launched, it would surely reverse the decline.
After more than an hour of bustling, all the 'Pure Desire' dresses were moved out of the warehouse and displayed.
All HM specialty stores reopened!
Around 5 PM, office workers left their jobs one after another, which was the peak time for customer traffic.
The HM stores, which had been deserted, instantly became bustling.
Some consumers who discovered HM's 'Pure Desire' dresses knew they were copied from Meiyou, scoffed, and turned to leave.
However, many consumers were unaware of this and were still attracted by the stunning styles, buying heavily.
After all, not everyone knew about Meiyou's 'Pure Desire' style.
Seeing this scene, HM store managers and staff were all beaming with joy.
Soon, good news was reported back to HM headquarters, and all senior executives were overjoyed.
"Indeed, the 'Pure Desire' style has a market; it's selling well in Singapore and Australia,"
Chairman Jiafute said with a smile:
"Next, as long as we keep a low profile and quietly make a lot of money. Time will solve everything! Hahaha."
"Chairman is brilliant!"
Everyone flattered him, and they all saw a bright future of surging revenue.
The only concern was being discovered by Meiyou, which might cause some trouble.
But overall, the profit outweighed the risk!
Jiafute was very pleased:
"I hope Meiyou finds out later; by then, our HM 'Pure Desire' style will have already captured the market in tropical countries! Even earlier than Meiyou, hehehe."
However, unexpectedly, even though HM didn't promote it and they launched quietly, Wang Yi received the news immediately!
When Chen Chuanqing learned that HM was copying and mass-producing Meiyou's 'Pure Desire' style, Wang Yi had people keep a close eye on HM.
Song Sining's call came in:
"Boss, HM has no shame. Not only are they copying and mass-producing our 'Pure Desire' dresses, but they're also directly stocking and selling them on a large scale in Singapore and Australia!"
"HM finally couldn't sit still, that's great!"
Wang Yi was overjoyed, even a little excited.
I had already shorted it, just waiting for you to launch!
And you really came!
Time to make money again!
"???"
Song Sining was bewildered.
How could their boss say 'that's great' after being copied?
Was he confused from anger?
"Ahem, what I mean is, it's great that HM is digging its own grave!"
"Oh, I see,"
Song Sining suddenly understood.
"Sining, have our people immediately secure evidence and sue HM!"
"Okay, Boss, I'll arrange it right away."
Wang Yi continued:
"The Meiyou Beauty press conference will be postponed for now. Over the next few days, the focus will be on combating HM's plagiarism! Get the game department ready to launch 'Defend Meiyou' at any time!"
"Okay, Boss, should we do some pre-launch promotion?"
"No need, let the bullets fly for a while first. Once the HM plagiarism issue escalates, we'll directly launch 'Defend Meiyou' in response!"
"Great! By then, HM will be nailed to the pillar of shame, and they'll have a taste of their own medicine, hahaha."
Song Sining was in high spirits.
After hanging up, Wang Yi shook his head:
"HM, do you really think plagiarism comes without a price?"
Consumers might be forgetful, but the internet has a memory, and games have an even longer memory!
The real show is just beginning!
If it were minor plagiarism, Wang Yi wouldn't even bother.
Just like Huaqiangbei, even Apple is helpless.
But for an international big brand to be so shameless and plagiarize on a large scale, Wang Yi couldn't tolerate it.
If everyone did this, then Meiyou's 'Pure Desire' style would be ruined.
Must short it!
Must sue!
Must crush them completely!
After all, HM has physical stores worldwide; once they stock globally, what would be left for Wang Yi to do?
Upon receiving Song Sining's instructions, the people Chen Chuanqing had previously arranged immediately went to HM specialty stores in Singapore and Australia, taking photos, making purchases, getting receipts, and thoroughly securing evidence...
As for Chen Chuanqing, he was currently having dinner with the VIA boss, discussing the acquisition of VIA's baseband business and CDMA patents.
Soon, Wang Yi received another call from Steve.
"Steve, it's not tomorrow where you are yet, is it?"
Wang Yi was a little surprised.
"Boss, I received important intelligence. HM has gone mad, actually copying and selling our 'Pure Desire' dresses!"
Steve was furious.
It was past 5 PM in China, but only past 4 AM where he was.
Steve was sleeping soundly when a call from Li Zongyang, the Singapore agent, woke him up.
After finally appeasing Li Zongyang, calls from several Australian agents also came pouring in!
Steve was completely numb and could only report to Wang Yi.
"I already know about this. Did the agents tell you?"
"Yes, Boss. The Singapore and Australian agents have our 'Pure Desire' distribution authorization. They haven't even launched 'Pure Desire' yet, but HM, this plagiarizer, launched first, which will put us in a passive position! The agents are very angry, what do you think about this matter..."
Wang Yi thought for a moment:
"Here's what you do: notify the Singapore and Australian agents to do three things. First, all Meiyou specialty stores that can open should open as soon as possible to sell 'Pure Desire' style.
Second, have them immediately go to the local courts to sue HM for plagiarism. Sue HM headquarters, local branches, and even HM specialty stores simultaneously. Put pressure on local governments to demand a sales ban!
Third, contact the media, expose this matter, and make as big a fuss as possible!"
"Okay, Boss, I understand!"
Steve's eyes lit up:
"HM secretly opened, trying to operate under the radar, thinking we wouldn't know since they're far away. But now, we'll sue them directly, expose them, and make it impossible for them to move forward right after opening!"
"Yes, that's how we'll do it! These plagiarizing dogs won't learn their lesson unless we punish them severely!"
Wang Yi said indifferently:
"Remember to have the agents buy some trending topics; this is also a good opportunity to promote the opening of Meiyou specialty stores!"
Steve was overjoyed:
"Yes, Boss, we can't miss out on such massive traffic. Once this goes viral, a huge wave of traffic will lead to a surge in revenue and profit for Meiyou's overseas flagship stores and specialty stores. However, HM's stock price is likely to fall. If I had known, I should have shorted it earlier."
Wang Yi smiled, but didn't mention that he had already shorted HM with triple leverage when he was in the Empire...
After the call ended, Wang Yi called Song Sining again:
"Sining, how many of our overseas flagship stores are ready and can open?"
"Boss, five flagship stores in Singapore were originally planned to open in two days, and they are all decorated now! Australia planned 35 flagship stores, and currently 30 are decorated and can open. There are also 15 in other regions, totaling 50 flagship stores that can open!"
"Good, let these fifty stores open directly! HM has made its move, and we need to respond well. The layout of flagship stores in other countries should also be accelerated!"
"Okay!"
Since the sword has been drawn, there's no need to hold back.
After all, if it's HM this time, it's inevitable there will be other brands next time.
Upon receiving Steve's reply, Li Zongyang, the general agent in Singapore, smiled:
"As expected of Chairman Wang, decisive action! Immediately give the order: thirty specialty stores will open early, open now!"
"Ah? Open tonight?"
His subordinate was a little surprised.
In fact, Meiyou specialty stores in Singapore were already prepared; staff training and merchandise display had long been ready.
They were just waiting for October 15th to open all at once.
"Yes, open tonight! Damn it, HM dares to copy and open first? What a joke!"
Li Zongyang was furious:
"I bought the 'Pure Desire' authorization! Call the lawyers and sue them! Sue HM Global Headquarters, HM Singapore Headquarters, all of them! And the HM specialty stores too, sue them all!"
"Boss, it's past five, the courts are almost closed by now..."
Li Zongyang fell silent: "..."
"Never mind, the lawsuit can proceed tomorrow morning. First, have the lawyers draft legal letters and send them to HM Singapore Headquarters! And all HM specialty stores, send them legal letters. No, have the lawyers deliver them directly to the HM specialty stores! Oh, and remember to bring the media, so... so..."
"Uh, wouldn't that be a bit inappropriate?"
The subordinate was stunned.
This method is a bit too ruthless!
"What's inappropriate about it? Just go ahead, they dared to plagiarize, and now they expect reason?"
Li Zongyang didn't care at all.
The fact that he could succeed in Singapore and be chosen by Steve naturally meant he had a lot of influence.
To put it bluntly, he played both sides!
"Okay, Boss, I'll arrange it right away."
"Mhm, remember to bring more people... No, just bring reporters. If the other party can't help themselves, that would be even better... It would be best if the reporters get caught in the crossfire too..."
Li Zongyang smiled faintly, a plan forming in his mind.
Subordinate: "..."
Upon receiving Li Zongyang's instructions, all thirty Meiyou specialty store managers immediately took action.
They quickly gathered staff and opened the stores!
Now, because HM, the plagiarizer, had started selling the 'Pure Desire' style first, Meiyou store managers and staff were all seething with anger.
They immediately rushed to their stores, opened the doors, and commenced business.
Even if only some staff were present, it was enough.
Meanwhile, Meiyou users in Singapore also received a pop-up message from the Meiyou app:
[Five Meiyou flagship stores and 30 Meiyou specialty stores in Singapore are all opening. Meiyou 'Pure Desire' dresses and Zhenyou 'Pure Desire' dresses are all available. Welcome to shop!]
Meiyou users in Australia also received a pop-up message from the app:
[Thirty Meiyou flagship stores and 120 Meiyou specialty stores in Australia are all opening. Meiyou 'Pure Desire' dresses and Zhenyou 'Pure Desire' dresses are all available! Welcome to shop!]
Suddenly, users in both regions were excited.
They had been looking forward to Meiyou's 'Pure Desire' dresses for a long time.
Previously, they could only shop online, but online shopping was time-consuming, logistics were slow, and it usually took about ten days.
But now, physical stores were open, and so many of them opened at once!
For example, in Singapore, one city had thirty-five stores, a density that almost rivaled Adidas and Nike.
Everyone clicked on the message to check the specific store locations.
They were immediately overjoyed, as flagship stores and specialty stores were spread all over the region, everywhere.
They quickly rushed to the stores and bought heavily.
Many specialty stores were opened inside shopping malls.
Suntec City Mall is Singapore's largest shopping mall, covering an area of 84,000 square meters.
It was also the choice of many Meiyou users.
Coupled with after-work hours, many Meiyou users all rushed to Suntec City Mall, to the Meiyou specialty store!
However, upon arriving at Suntec City, they found some people gathered outside the HM specialty store.
Everyone was a little puzzled and, with a 'gossip-seeking' mentality, looked over.
They found two young girls arguing with a group of HM store staff, surrounded by a crowd.
"HM is truly shameless! Seeing Meiyou's 'Pure Desire' style selling well, you just directly copied it, truly no bottom line!"
"No integrity either! And you call yourselves international big brands, clothing giants? Are all your designs copied?"
Hearing this, the HM store manager exploded with anger:
"Young ladies, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't talk nonsense. Who are you saying has no integrity? Who are you saying plagiarized?"
"You HM dare to copy but not admit it?"
"And HM 'Pure Desire' style? Truly shameless! The whole internet knows Meiyou originated the 'Pure Desire' style. They've been selling it all summer, and you copied it, so now it's yours, HM's? You have no shame!"
"I..."
The store manager was momentarily speechless, not knowing how to refute; they truly had no ground to stand on.
"You HM just saw Meiyou's 'Pure Desire' style selling well, got envious, and copied it. You HM are thieves, habitual plagiarists! A thief brand!"
"As a former HM user, I'm now embarrassed to wear your clothes. I'm afraid people will call me a thief!"
Hearing this, everyone suddenly understood and realized the reason, immediately starting to discuss:
"So that's it. I wondered why HM's designs suddenly improved so much. Turns out they copied Meiyou!"
"Sigh, are they bullying me for being old and not online much? I almost got fooled by HM, thinking the 'Pure Desire' style was an HM innovation. Turns out it was copied from Meiyou; I almost placed an order."
"Luckily these two young girls were here, otherwise, imagine buying it, wearing it out, how embarrassing would that be?"
"Exactly, a thief brand, not even dogs would wear it!"
Hearing this, the HM store manager's face turned utterly ashen.
The originally good business was ruined instantly by this commotion!
(End of chapter)