Major media outlets were all researching Meiyou Technology's April Fool's Day press conference, and a host of rival companies also held emergency meetings.
HM Headquarters.
Gaford's face was ashen:
"Meiyou Technology is holding another press conference; who knows what kind of trouble they'll stir up this time."
Some time ago, Wang Yi's focus was on Xingyi Technology, making phones and tablets, which thrilled Gaford, making him think Wang Yi had lost interest in the apparel industry!
Unexpectedly, it was only late March, and Wang Yi had already returned to Meiyou Technology!
Gaford's mouth twitched:
"Could it be that Wang Yi wasn't focusing on the apparel sector recently purely because the winter in Xia Country was cold, causing pure desire style dresses to be unsellable? Now that the weather is warming up, this guy is back?"
"That must be it."
Everyone nodded.
"Although Meiyou and Zhenyou also make autumn/winter clothing and down jackets, their market performance is only so-so, unlike the pure desire style dresses which have an absolute advantage."
"Now that the weather's getting warmer, Wang Yi will probably heavily promote the pure desire style again. Our revenue and market value will plummet once more."
"Don't even mention it, they weren't idle in winter either. Meiyou and Zhenyou spread their pure desire style dresses to tropical countries and the Southern Hemisphere, absolutely going international!"
"Fortunately, Meiyou Technology's overseas popularity isn't high, and sales are average; otherwise, our international revenue would have sharply decreased."
"However, this impact from Xia Country will be very severe, after all, they have a market of 1.4 billion people. It's likely that our revenue and profits in Xia Country will look very bad for the entire year! You all know what the outcome will be then!"
Gaford's face was ashen; he had been very unlucky recently.
His secretary, with whom he had been involved for over two years, was pregnant. He thought he was still strong and fertile in his old age, able to enjoy the blessing of having a child.
But unexpectedly, the secretary said she felt insecure and clamored for an abortion.
When he was young, Gaford was ambitious, advocated freedom, played the field, and didn't really care about offspring.
Now that he was older, having a child in his later years made him value this child even more.
Helplessly, Gaford could only buy his secretary a luxury house, a Porsche, and arrange for a live-in nanny to care for her, which finally appeased the secretary and allowed her to prepare for childbirth.
If that were all, it would have been fine, but in the later stages, the secretary suddenly had an accident and almost miscarried...
Fortunately, medical attention was timely, and the pregnancy was barely saved.
To prevent any further accidents, Gaford added another nanny and a private doctor to care for the secretary 24 hours a day, preventing any unforeseen incidents.
After such twists and turns, he thought he could finally have a smooth delivery and welcome his precious child.
But unfortunately, the child was born, but it was a black child.
At that moment, the secretary was stunned, but Gaford was dumbfounded!
He was white, the secretary was white, but the son was black!
The son he had yearned for turned out to be someone else's child.
Gaford was heartbroken and seething with rage.
He slapped the secretary twenty times, leaving her face so bruised it needed "factory repair."
After a fierce argument, Gaford originally wanted to coerce and entice the secretary to return the house, car, and money he had given her...
But unexpectedly, the secretary was prepared and held some unsavory secrets of his, using them as blackmail.
She even had her black boyfriend beat him up!
In the end, Gaford could only choose to settle.
As for the house, car, and money he had given away... they could only be used to raise the secretary's black son and that black boyfriend...
This incident deeply impacted the aging Gaford, almost pushing him to a breakdown.
He even lost all reaction when seeing beautiful women for a time.
Even his secretary was replaced by a man, showing how profound the after-effects of this incident were!
It took Gaford more than two months to recover slightly.
But before he had fully recovered, Meiyou Technology's press conference was here again!
Wang Yi was about to return to the apparel industry to dominate, and HM's future was once again precarious.
Truly, blessings never come in pairs, but misfortunes never come alone!
"What are your countermeasures?"
Gaford asked coldly.
It's fine if love fails, money lost can be earned back, but if his career is ruined, then it's truly over.
And this time, Meiyou Technology was making a big move; if they didn't handle it well, he might really be forced to step down.
Everyone lowered their heads, remaining silent.
"A bunch of fools!"
Gaford's face was ashen, and just as he was about to get angry, Yulisi, the president of the Xia Country region on the big screen opposite, smiled slightly:
"Chairman, don't worry, I've made some arrangements in the past few months, which are enough to deal with Meiyou Technology."
"Oh? What arrangements? Are you so confident?"
Gaford looked at the big screen, intrigued, as if he had found his last straw of hope.
This meeting was held at HM headquarters, and Yulisi, the president of the Xia Country region far away in Xia Country, still participated via video conference.
Yulisi slowly explained:
"It's not just us HM and Zara being impacted by Meiyou's pure desire style, but also a host of Xia Country brands. Especially those Xia Country brands, seeing Meiyou Technology make huge profits, are equally resentful."
"So, I secretly supported some Xia Country brands and small businesses, encouraging them to follow Meiyou's pure desire style and launch a large number of low-priced pure desire style dresses!"
"Chairman, Meiyou Technology's press conference hasn't even started yet, and the pure desire style new products haven't been released, but the Xia Country market is already flooded with low-priced pure desire style dresses!"
"Hahaha, good idea."
Gaford was in a much better mood.
"This is a classic case of bad money driving out good money. Using low-priced, counterfeit pure desire style from small vendors and brands to impact Meiyou and Zhenyou's high-priced, genuine pure desire style. Making the pure desire style commonplace will wipe out Meiyou and Zhenyou's advantages. Very good, excellent!"
Others also chimed in:
"That's right, even if Meiyou and Zhenyou have some brand influence, it doesn't mean much. After all, they've only been established for a short time, and their brand heritage and fan base are very limited. Plus, they're so much more expensive; Xia Country people probably won't buy them. In this way, Meiyou Technology will no longer be a concern."
"Using Xia Country brands to deal with Meiyou Technology, President Yulisi's method is simply a stroke of genius!"
But some held different opinions:
"Will this method really work? What if Meiyou Technology sues those brands again, demanding they all be taken off the shelves? Wouldn't that be a false alarm?"
Yulisi waved his hand:
"Don't worry about that, as the saying goes, the law does not punish the masses. If only one or two brands copied the pure desire style, the consequences would be severe. But now in the Xia Country apparel industry, dozens or even hundreds of brands are copying the pure desire style, so the consequences won't be a big problem."
"Among them are big brands, small brands, and even many online store brands. Even if Meiyou Technology wanted to sue, they wouldn't have the energy!"
"More importantly, these are all Xia Country enterprises. If Meiyou Technology sues all of them, it would be standing against the entire Xia Country apparel industry!"
"At that time, we'll operate a bit, find a few Xia Country apparel brands to come out and play the victim, accuse Meiyou Technology, and label Meiyou Technology with a 'monopolizing the Xia Country apparel industry, unscrupulously suppressing Xia Country apparel peers, suppressing national brands' hat! Then hire internet trolls to fan the flames, and even Wang Yi wouldn't be able to withstand such public opinion."
"In Xia Country, reputation is paramount for businesses. Once tainted with the hat of monopoly and suppressing national brands, Meiyou Technology will be finished!"
Hearing this, Gaford's eyes lit up, and the gloom of raising someone else's child completely vanished:
"Good, very good! To avoid such accusations, Meiyou Technology wouldn't dare to sue all of them, and as long as they don't sue all, Meiyou's pure desire style will become the pure desire style of all brands. Xia Country enterprises can follow suit, and we HM naturally can too! This is an open conspiracy!"
"Exactly, that's precisely it. We are playing an open conspiracy. As long as the pure desire style becomes an industry-wide trend, we'll massively follow suit, and with our global factories and channels, we'll heavily copy, produce, and distribute. Even Wang Yi will be powerless. Even Meiyou Technology can only watch us make money!"
Gaford was in a great mood:
"Yulisi, you've done very well this time, excellent, go ahead and do it. Meiyou Technology always releases new products and launches them at press conferences. You've saturated the entire Xia Country with pure desire style dresses before their press conference, very good. If you handle this well, you'll come to headquarters next year!"
Yulisi's eyes widened; that's exactly what he was waiting for.
Damn it, staying in Xia Country and directly confronting Meiyou Technology was too difficult.
He was constantly worried about his performance being at the bottom and getting directly laid off.
He wished to return to the Rui Country headquarters as soon as possible, where the benefits were high, and the pressure was low!
Well, as long as he successfully takes down Meiyou Technology this time, he can go to headquarters next year.
As for who will take over the Xia Country market and who will contend with Meiyou Technology, that will be the next person's problem.
Yulisi was in a great mood, immediately patting his chest and assuring:
"Chairman, don't worry, I will immediately have those Xia Country enterprises increase their efforts, forcing Meiyou to a dead end with their pure desire style!"
"Good, I'll wait for your triumphant return, hahaha!"
Everyone in the room breathed a sigh of relief, in a much better mood.
Such an open conspiracy was simply unsolvable.
Sure enough, the next day, various major brands began to make big moves.
Meiyou Technology's press conference was scheduled for April 1st, but major brands started frantically promoting new products and advertising their pure desire style dresses several days in advance, seizing the initiative.
As for the styles, some were following Meiyou and Zhenyou's popular designs from last year.
Others directly copied them!
They then replaced the materials with the lowest-end ones and directly lowered the price by one or two hundred to sell.
Under the huge price difference, they shipped quickly instead.
This quickly caught Meiyou Technology's attention and was promptly reported.
Initially, Meiyou headquarters only thought it was an isolated phenomenon and didn't pay attention.
After all, Meiyou's pure desire style had been copied ever since its debut, which was normal.
However, as more reports came in, spreading nationwide, it quickly drew high attention from the headquarters and was directly reported to Song Sining and Chen Chuanqing.
Song Sining did not take it lightly and quickly approached Wang Yi:
"Chairman, a large number of pure desire style products have appeared on the market, made by about dozens of brands. And there are many small brands, which are even harder to estimate."
"That serious!"
Wang Yi frowned slightly, instantly realizing the unusual nature behind it:
"If only a few individual brands were doing this, it might be a random event. But now so many brands are doing it, it's probably premeditated!"
"Yes," Song Sining nodded: "We've investigated; their styles are all copied from ours, with some minor modifications for the more particular ones, and others are direct copies. The materials are significantly worse, and the prices are much lower."
Saying that, Song Sining took out a product:
"For example, this one from Liangzhuang International is a copy of our Meiyou 799 pure desire style dress. They made slight alterations, used the cheapest fabric, and sold it directly for 299."
Wang Yi took it and felt it:
"Although the workmanship is much worse and the materials are much worse, consumers can see that. But considering the 500-yuan price difference, it doesn't really matter, does it?"
"Yes, a 500-yuan price difference is enough to offset all disadvantages."
Song Sining was also quite helpless:
"And it's not just Liangzhuang International; brands like Dushi Liya are doing the same. Look, these few items are all like that. They all copy our designs and are much cheaper than ours."
"Dishonorable, truly dishonorable!"
Wang Yi's expression was solemn.
He had long anticipated this day, but he didn't expect it to come so quickly and directly.
It was only late March!
Winter had just passed, spring had just begun, and these people were already doing this; it was simply dishonorable.
"Not only that, they are also heavily stocking up and seizing the initiative. As a result, our pure desire style new products haven't even been launched, and theirs are already on sale. It's imaginable that they will continue to copy our new releases!"
Song Sining was furious:
"How should we respond? Should we organize our legal team to sue them?"
Wang Yi sighed:
"It's useless. Too many brands are involved, and most of them are domestic brands. We can't really go for the kill and wipe them out."
"Why?"
Song Sining asked, confused.
Wang Yi sighed:
"Some things can be done, but can't be done."
"For example, patent issues. Huawei and ZTE both have many phone patents. Logically, they could sue Meizu, Xiaomi, Lenovo, and BBK, forcing these phone manufacturers to pay patent fees."
"That's compliant and reasonable, right?"
Song Sining nodded:
"Yes, compliant and reasonable. They have that right."
Wang Yi chuckled wryly:
"But they can't do that. Once they do, they'll be accused of bullying the small, suppressing competitors for their own development, and harming the industry."
"This..."
Song Sining fell silent. Wang Yi continued:
"With such a big hat placed on them, who do you think can withstand it?"
"No one can withstand it; the public's chatter alone is enough to drown them."
Song Sining suddenly understood:
"So it's the same for our Meiyou Technology. So many brands are copying us; if we sue, we'll also be accused of bullying the small, suppressing competitors, and harming the apparel industry... that would be trouble!"
"So we're being counterfeited and copied, but we can't sue, we can only passively endure it?"
Wang Yi sighed:
"For now, that's how it seems. There's no way to completely eradicate them."
"Then what do we do?" Song Sining was a little anxious, "They are counterfeiting our products and selling them for so much less than us, giving us no room to survive!"
Wang Yi smiled faintly, completely confident:
"It's fine, they have their stratagems, and we have ours. Just wait; you'll know at the press conference!"
Wang Yi had long anticipated this day.
He knew the conduct of his competitors too well: counterfeiting and copying.
Last year, the pure desire style launched too late, and with autumn/winter approaching, Wang Yi sued HM, killing one to warn a hundred.
Competitors were afraid of being sued, and also feared that with autumn/winter approaching, too many dresses would be stocked and unsellable, so they didn't dare to copy on a large scale.
But this time, spring had just begun, with a year to ship goods, so they dared to copy on a large scale.
And with so many brands copying together, Meiyou Technology was helpless.
To put it bluntly, they had all cornered Meiyou Technology!
So much so that before the press conference, pure desire style dresses from various major brands had already filled offline shopping malls, specialty stores, and major online platforms.
Even more, some bought promotions and advertised, fully treating the pure desire style as their main product and heavily promoting it.
When Wang Yi and Song Sining went to the mall for dinner, they were full of surprise.
Several clothing stores had "pure desire style" billboards and POPs hanging at their entrances, as if afraid others wouldn't know.
Wang Yi was filled with emotion:
"Jizhou, our Meiyou Technology's home turf, has gone crazy to this extent. One can imagine what the scene would be like in other regions, in the south?"
Song Sining sighed:
"It's quite surreal, but it's happening. It's simply madness. Copying our designs, copying our style, and even snatching our market; these brands have no bottom line."
"It's fine, no need to be angry, let's eat first."
Wang Yi took Song Sining's hand and walked towards a barbecue restaurant.
As one might expect, this time, Wang Yi ate relatively normally, but Song Sining was sighing and had no appetite at all.
Wang Yi handed over some chicken wings:
"Eat something, if the sky falls, I'll hold it up. Besides, the sky won't fall!"
Song Sining took them:
"I really have no appetite. I'm worried, worried that this turmoil will directly cut off the future of our pure desire style. We prepared a lot for this press conference, and to make the pure desire style sell well this year, we also invested in building several large factories. We also prepared a lot of inventory."
"If the pure desire style becomes unsellable, these factories, these capacities, and the inventory of pure desire style new products will all become a burden, causing us heavy losses."
"And I'm also worried that if this turmoil makes our distributors fearful, and they cancel orders and reduce their purchases, that would be a disaster!"
Wang Yi nodded:
"Sining, what you said is very reasonable. It could happen, or it might have already happened. Among our distributors, perhaps not many have directly cut orders, but many are hesitating. As for the agents, needless to say, they are probably all thinking about how to get refunds!"
Meiyou Technology still used the previous model, where distributors and agents paid in advance for orders. After receiving payment, Meiyou Technology shipped the goods.
Thus, before the launch, distributors and agents had already made payments, and Meiyou Technology had also stocked the goods in distributor warehouses across the country.
Just waiting for the launch on the 1st, to go on sale directly.
According to the original momentum of the pure desire style, it was bound to sell incredibly well, and distributors were all waiting to make a killing like last year.
But unfortunately, with this happening this year, it was hard to say.
If only Meiyou sold the pure desire style, then it would be easy to sell.
But with major brands all launching the pure desire style, and at lower prices, Meiyou would have a tough time!
For a time, major distributors and agents were all discussing animatedly.
South China region.
"Old Lu, Meiyou got off to a bad start this year, feels a bit tragic."
"Don't even mention it, my authentic pure desire style hasn't even hit the market yet. Those small brands next door have already started selling!"
"It's the same on my end, and they're selling it dirt cheap. Our cost price is 499, selling price is 699, but they're selling it for 299! Damn it, so dishonorable!"
"Yeah, although their materials are worse than ours, the price difference is half, so some people will always go for the cheaper option."
"More importantly, many people don't understand materials. With those small brands' persuasion and cheap prices, consumers just buy."
"You guys, if they play like this, will all our pure desire style dresses get stuck in our hands?"
"Who knows, but it's not optimistic overall. This year will be tough."
"I bought all my stock on loan. If I can't ship quickly, the cost of capital use will be a problem."
"I'm pretty much the same; too much capital tied up. I even want to return the goods."
"Me too."
"Looks like everyone has this idea."
"Should we organize some people and collectively ask Meiyou Technology for returns and refunds?"
"Can this even work? When we stocked up, we were all rushing to buy."
"Times change. When we stocked up, everyone thought the pure desire style would sell well, but we haven't even started selling, and the market is already flooded with pure desire style."
"Sigh, this is really difficult. This year is ruined. Returns and refunds are the ideal outcome; I'm even willing to pay for shipping."
"Even if you offer double shipping fees, Meiyou Technology won't accept returns. The contract clearly states that once goods are delivered, no returns for non-quality issues."
"Hmph! He can't refuse to refund either. At worst, we'll unite, defend our rights together, and make a fuss!"
"Right, directly organize people and go to Jizhou, to Meiyou Technology headquarters."
"Chairman Wang is in Jizhou now; if we go, we'll definitely be able to resolve it!"
"Yes, even if it's only half refunded, I have too many orders on hand; I probably won't be able to sell them at all."
"If you want to make a fuss, you go. I still believe in Meiyou Technology, I believe in Chairman Wang."
"Exactly, haven't you seen Chairman Wang isn't even worried? Why are you guys so anxious?"
"Old Xu, your family has a big business; losing money isn't a problem for you, you have a solid foundation. But we are small businesses; we can't afford it."
"Fools! Even if you want to make a fuss, you have to wait until after the press conference to see what cards Chairman Wang has up his sleeve."
"Do you really think Chairman Wang will just give up like this? Doesn't he have any counter-strategies?"
"This..."
"Old Xu is right. Chairman Wang can take down the iPhone, something as high-tech as a smartphone. Do you think Chairman Wang can't handle a low-tech field like clothing?"
"Makes sense, but those brands are copying extensively, and they also have people behind them!"
"Who?"
"You don't know? It's either HM or Zara. Without these two troublemaking organizations, there wouldn't be so many brands all copying the pure desire style!"
"Indeed, everyone, don't worry about this. Just wait and watch tomorrow's press conference. When has Chairman Wang ever disappointed anyone?"
"Exactly, last year Meiyou Technology had just started and could already crush HM and Zara. This year, Meiyou Technology has grown so much; would they still be afraid of them? What a joke!"
"But so many brands are counterfeiting the pure desire style, causing it to become commonplace, which will severely impact us after all."
"Meiyou's market won't be good this year; everyone should look for alternatives!"
(End of Chapter)