Chapter 1000 The Industry Landscape Is Changing

In the three months after graduation, Xie Qiao and Xu Lin went from being full of ambition to being beaten by society and finding jobs and becoming autistic.

It was another fruitless day, and the two met at Qin Chuan's Dingjian Pancake Headquarters.

Just as the two were comforting each other, Qin Chuan came over with a mean look.

"How are you two? Have you found a job?"

Xie Qiao and Xu Lin both rolled their eyes at him.

"Why are you so annoying?"

"That's right, if you don't know how to talk, you don't have to say it."

Qin Chuan saw that Xie Qiao was angry, and hurried to please him: "That's not what I meant. Didn't I say before that if you really can't find a job, come to our Dingjian Pancake. We guarantee that the salary is not less than outside, and it's easy."

"Come on, we are both graduates of Peking University and Tsinghua University. If we tell others that we work in a pancake shop, people will laugh at us to death." Xu Lin complained.

Qin Chuan was unhappy when he heard it: "What's wrong with a pancake shop? Besides, this is not an ordinary pancake shop. There are almost 50 chain stores. According to Lao Qin, I will open a chain when there are 100 stores. Maybe I can go public at that time."

Xie Qiao saw Qin Chuan was anxious and comforted him: "Qin Chuan, Xu Lin didn't mean to look down on pancake shops. The key is that our majors are not related to yours. If we go to work in your place, what can we do for you? Making pancakes is something that anyone can do. You have to pay us a high salary. That's not appropriate."

"Yes, Qin Chuan, I don't mean that. That's right, I can't get over that hurdle in my heart." Xu Lin apologized to Qin Chuan first, and then sighed.

"You said that Xie Qiao and I graduated from prestigious universities. When we were doing internships, we thought that it might be because we had no work experience and the working period was short, so those companies didn't like to recruit us. We thought that we would be fine after graduation. But what happened? When we arrived at the talent market, we found that prestigious universities also have different majors. For our literature department, there are very few corresponding positions, and the requirements are very high." Xie Qiao agreed: "That's right. I have been looking for a job for three months. I go out early and come back late every day. I spend thousands of yuan on public transportation. I have been to 20 to 30 recruitment fairs of all sizes, but I haven't found a suitable job. Reliable big companies look down on me, and I look down on unreliable small companies. It's a vicious cycle." Xu Lin said dejectedly: "I might as well go to Qianxi. Last time she said that the company was short of people." "Ah? This is not good." Xie Qiao always felt that it was too awkward for her classmates and best friends for so many years to suddenly become boss and employee. Xu Lin said helplessly: "There is no way. I am different from you. After all, you are a native of Beijing, and your family is supported by your parents. I have to spend money on food, clothing, housing and transportation here. I really can't bear it." Qin Chuan rekindled hope when he saw this: "Why don't you come to be my assistant, Xie Qiao." "Thank you." Xie Qiao rolled his eyes at Qin Chuan: "Forget it, or I'll go to the magazine that my dad found to be an editor. After all, it's a stable job." Qin Chuan couldn't help complaining: "After all, you still look down on my pancake shop. If Lao Qin asked you to be an assistant, you would definitely agree immediately." Xu Lin patted Qin Chuan on the shoulder and teased: "Don't be unconvinced. Lao Qin is a high-tech enterprise, an Internet unicorn, and it just completed its B round of financing two days ago. , do you know how much the valuation is? 5.8 billion US dollars, even Baidu, which just went public, is not as high as its valuation. It has been on the news so many times. Can you compare with it? "

Qin Chuan was silent. Seeing that he was a little depressed, Xie Qiao comforted him: "In fact, you don't need to compare with Lao Qin. As for people of the same age, who can achieve Lao Qin's achievements? You compare with ordinary people like us. It's already very impressive. At such a young age, your net worth is about to exceed 10 million. Your father didn't have so much money when he was your age, right?"

After being said by Xie Qiao, Qin Chuan immediately came to life: "That's right, I'm stupid enough to compare with Lao Qin. This guy is not an ordinary person."

……

After Xu Lin and Xie Qiao parted at the pancake shop, he called Xiao Qianxi directly. After a round of greetings, Xiao Qianxi took the initiative to propose.

"If you are free now, come over. We haven't seen each other for a long time. I have a book signing event in Beijing tomorrow. I'll send you the address later."

In the hotel room, Xu Lin saw a bunch of people busy and thought she had entered the set.

Xiao Qianxi saw Xu Lin coming in the makeup mirror and waved to her.

"Xu Lin, please sit down for a while. I'll be done with my makeup soon."

"Qianxi, you are making a big fuss now."

Xu Lin's voice was a little weak. At first, she thought Qianxi Entertainment had just been established not long ago and was probably a makeshift team. She should be able to have a place here, but today's event was more grand than many Hong Kong and Taiwan stars she had seen, and it was just a book signing event.

Xiao Qianxi smiled and said, "It's mainly because of the release of my first new album. The sales volume will determine my future status in the music industry. I must be fully prepared. These are the teams from Hong Kong, and I spent a lot of effort to invite them."

In 2005, the commercialization of the mainland entertainment market was still far behind Hong Kong, especially in terms of packaging artists. The mainland was basically still at the stage of a grass-roots team.

Xu Lin was even more shocked when she heard it: "This must cost a lot of money, right?"

Xiao Qianxi saw Xu Lin's uneasiness, so she didn't tell her that Qianxi Entertainment had burned more than 20 million from its establishment to the release of her first album.

"By the way, have you found a job recently?"

Xu Lin hesitated for a moment: "Qianxi, actually I came here this time just to ask if your company is still short of people. Salary doesn't matter..."

"What's missing? We happen to be missing a Xuanfa who is responsible for fan operations. He is responsible for managing Tieba and fan QQ groups. You must be able to do this easily."

While talking, Xiao Qianxi had already finished setting her makeup.

At this moment, Xu Lin realized that Xiao Qianxi's temperament was completely different from before. If Xiao Qianxi before was still a narcissus in bud, reserved and gentle, now she was like a narcissus blooming in the wilderness. Rose, intellectual and mature.

"What's wrong? I don't know you anymore?"

Xu Lin smiled bitterly and shook his head: "You have changed a bit too much, and you didn't realize it for a while."

"No way, this is the look designed by the team, and it is more in line with the theme of my album." Xiao Qianxi said, holding Xu Lin's hand: "How about it, have you thought about it, do you want to help me."

"Of course it's no problem, then when will I go to work?"

"What's the rush? You haven't even discussed the benefits yet."

"Hey, can you still trick me..."

After taking the makeup photos, the styling team also left Xiao Qianxi's room.

Xu Lin looked at the cold room that was bustling with activity ten minutes ago, but now she and Xiao Qianxi were the only ones left, and felt a little emotional for a moment.

"Don't you feel a little lonely?"

Xiao Qianxi handed Xu Lin a bottle of beer and opened a can himself.

Xu Lin nodded: "There is a bit of a gap."

"This is the real situation of stars. Even though the stage is shining brightly, there is actually no one behind who can speak." Xiao Qianxi said and touched Xu Lin.

"So, I'm really happy that you can come. We can talk together after work in the future."

Xu Lin hesitated for a while and asked cautiously: "You and Lao Qin..."

Xiao Qianxi laughed out loud: "Look where you are thinking. Although he and I are busy recently, we still spend a few days together every month, and our relationship is very good."

"I was shocked. Your appearance of seeing through the world made me very nervous." Xu Lin patted his chest.

Another day, Xiao Qianxi's autograph session was held at a video store in Wangfujing Commercial Street. Many fans came to the scene, most of whom were fans she had accumulated from "Happy Girls".

Xu Lin offered to help maintain order at the scene. By the time the autograph session ended, he was already exhausted.

"Qianxi, I'm completely convinced. How did you manage to sign so many albums and still smile all the time?"

Xiao Qianxi shook her sore wrist: "These fans spend money and time to support me. I must show my best side to them."

After saying that, Xiao Qianxi snapped her fingers at Xu Lin: "Let's go, I'll take you somewhere."

The nanny car drove out of the hotel's underground garage and drove all the way to Xicheng District.

Finally stopped in front of a villa.

After getting off the car, Xu Lin swallowed: "Qianxi, you won't tell me that this villa belongs to you, right?"

"He bought it. It's not bad."

"It's not only good, it's so heroic!" After Xu Lin walked into the villa, she had an unreal feeling. At first, she just said it casually and didn't take it seriously at all. As a result, Qin Hao had paid so quickly. Her actions were just like buying cabbage in the supermarket.

Is this the world of rich people?

"Good guy, how much does it cost to buy such a big villa with a swimming pool in the front and back gardens?"

"Almost 20 million." Xiao Qianxi suddenly said to Xu Lin mysteriously: "Do you know who the previous owner of this villa was?"

"Who? Do I know him?"

"certainly."

Xu Lin frowned and thought for a long time: "Could it be from Yang Cheng's family?"

"You're smart. You guessed it right. This villa was auctioned by Yang Cheng's family. Otherwise, such a good villa in this location would cost more than this."

Xu Lin's eyes widened: "I just made a casual guess, is it true?"

"So, Yang Cheng and his family have no chance of turning around?"

Xiao Qianxi said noncommittally: "It's probably out of the question. I heard him say some time ago that Yang Cheng lost more than two million yuan in starting a business. The apartment he bought before was also seized. Now he and his mother rent a house near the Fourth Ring Road. I have a private house to live in, and I still have a lot of debts on my back.”

"So miserable?" Xu Lin was surprised.

"Okay, it's been a tiring day today. I'll show you a room, take a shower and rest early."

"Oh, okay."

Early the next morning, Xu Lin borrowed a car from Xiao Qianxi and didn't come back until noon. Xiao Qianxi almost didn't recognize him when he first entered the house.

"Xu Lin, what's going on with you?"

Xu Lin scratched his head: "I'm going to work in your company soon. We will definitely have contact. If I dress like a man, I will be misunderstood easily."

"Actually, you don't need to do this. Just ask the company to issue a statement..."

"It's not necessary. Why waste the company's resources when I can solve it by changing my look."

…

In the blink of an eye, New Year's Day of 2006 is approaching, and the pattern of the mainland's Internet industry is also quietly changing.

Before 2000, most netizens didn't know much about surfing the Internet. It was really difficult for them to remember complicated domain names and URLs. Therefore, the three major portals came into being and quickly became the mainstream of the market.

However, after 2000, with the emergence of various Chinese search plug-ins, especially Baidu, the three major portals no longer have their previous dominant position.

And as the number of mainland netizens exceeded 140 million, the needs of netizens have gradually diversified: entertainment, consumption, and instant messaging have gradually become the mainstream of the market.

Among them, online games are the main form of entertainment, and the leader is undoubtedly Shanda, followed by NetEase.

As for instant messaging, it is naturally the world of Penguin.

In the consumer field, Yiguo and Taobao have left their competitors far behind, forming a situation of two tigers fighting each other.

Yiguo's advantage lies in its mature business model, and it has completed three consecutive years of profitability, and has built warehousing and logistics centers in twelve important hub cities.

Taobao's advantage lies in its rich products, which are all-encompassing, and its light asset model allows Taobao to maintain rapid development all the time, without having to consider supporting issues such as warehousing and logistics. Of course, it has also been criticized by netizens for problems such as piles of counterfeit threats and long delivery time.

Since receiving a $1.16 billion Series B financing last year, Qin Hao has once again accelerated the pace of building warehousing and logistics centers, while actively exploring the third and fourth-tier markets.

At first, the newly developed third- and fourth-tier markets did not work well. On the one hand, the economic foundation was not as good as that of first- and second-tier cities, and those who owned computers were considered high-income families. On the other hand, the road construction between the third- and fourth-tier markets was not as good as that of first- and second-tier cities, and the time for logistics transportation was greatly increased.

Many investors advised Qin Hao to slow down. After all, the markets in first- and second-tier cities have not been fully developed, and it is entirely possible to wait until the supporting facilities in third- and fourth-tier cities are built before investing.

However, Qin Hao's attitude was very firm.

"If you wait until all conditions are met before investing, you will only get leftovers in the end."

"What's more, what we need to do now is not only to develop the market, but more importantly, to grab users. In this regard, Taobao has already walked ahead of Yiguo. Once it is left behind, it will cost ten or even a hundred times the current price to catch up in the future."

"The Internet is a world where winners take all. If you are slow, you will be slow all the time."

In the end, Qin Hao overcame all objections and once again spent $500 million to build a warehousing and logistics center.

With the second batch of warehousing and logistics centers put into use, Yiguo's sales in third- and fourth-tier cities have also soared, and costs have been greatly reduced.

On the contrary, Taobao originally had no competitors in third- and fourth-tier cities. After Yiguo entered, its sales fell like an avalanche.

Jack Ma was helpless about this, because Taobao's light asset model meant that they could not set up offices in every city, while Yiguo's offline stores could build a bridge of communication with users.

At the beginning, Jack Ma also tried to learn Yiguo's model of setting up offline stores, but he soon found that Taobao could not learn this model. In addition to burning money, Yiguo's offline store model was effective because Yiguo purchased from manufacturers before selling to users. Once there was any quality problem with the product, Yiguo could directly trace it back to the manufacturer.

But Taobao couldn't do that. To put it bluntly, it didn't sell goods at all. It just opened a shopping mall. Users bought things directly from merchants. If users were not satisfied with the products, they could only communicate with merchants and had no decision-making power at all.

Setting up offline stores but not being able to solve problems for users will not only fail to bring profits to Taobao, but will also cause dissatisfaction among users. So, I complained to you for a long time, but you are not able to help me solve the after-sales problem at all?

Severely punish merchants? Come on, Taobao is begging merchants to open online stores now. If you punish merchants, aren't you driving the God of Wealth away?