Chapter 243 Why Is It So Expensive
On the launch day of the new phone, Su Yuanshan didn't stay home and wait for updates like he did with the YX1201. Back then, the combined force of prime-time news and state endorsement meant that even if the 1201 had been a complete piece of junk, it would've still sold out on the first day.
But Vidoo was different. This was a Yuanxin brand launched purely through its own promotional strategy. Although advertising had been running for quite some time—part of Duan Yongping's plan to build anticipation by hyping the product before release—Su Yuanshan still couldn't fully relax.
So, he decided to go on a little "incognito inspection" with Zhou Xiaohui. Instead of visiting the bustling appliance megamall at Mozhiqiao, they went to the relatively quieter Jiangdu Tower.
Ever since his uncle's appliance empire took off, Jiangdu Tower had effectively become a rival. Still, Yuanxin kept its original storefront here as a tribute to its roots.
Su Yuanshan came partly to check sales performance in a less trafficked area, and partly out of nostalgia—to revisit the battlefield and drop in on Zhiyuan Tech.
The sales rep's pitch was decent enough, but it was the customer's question that hit the mark.
Su Yuanshan noticed that people were generally impressed by Vidoo's design, technology, and branding, yet puzzled by the price. So when a middle-aged man bluntly asked why it was so expensive, everyone nearby nodded in agreement.
"Sir, why is it so expensive?"
The salesperson was young and charming, likely in her early twenties, dressed in a crisp white blouse and skirt. She stood straight, with a confident posture.
She smiled, repeating the question.
"A genuine battery costs 230 yuan, and the original charger is 150. But our Vidoo charger is compatible with all phones. So just the charger—how much do you think that's worth?"
"That's just the extra cost. Then there's the design and software. Have you seen the tech channel's interview with Yuanxin?"
"No..."
"You see, when buying electronics—especially expensive ones—you need to consider not just the brand, but the company behind it.
Yuanxin's mobile design team alone has over 3,000 people."
The middle-aged man snorted.
"With that many people, all they made was one phone?"
The salesperson remained cheerful.
"This phone's chips are entirely designed by Yuanxin—at a global first-class level.
Foreign brands can't compare!"
"Ever heard of supercomputers? Yuanxin's supercomputer, developed by our university's electrical engineering department, was just featured on the news. It's going to be the fastest in the world—ranked number one globally!"
"What does that have to do with this phone?"
"Well, our phone's CPU shares the same architecture as the supercomputer's. If you don't get what 'architecture' means, just think of it this way—they're siblings born of the same parent.
So tell me—why shouldn't it be expensive?
Personally, I'm more curious why foreign phones are so expensive."
Standing nearby, Su Yuanshan exhaled lightly.
"That line wasn't in the official script, right?" he whispered to Zhou Xiaohui.
Zhou Xiaohui nodded.
"I reviewed their sales scripts—this definitely wasn't in there."
As soon as the supercomputer comparison came up, the middle-aged man's skepticism faded.
He began seriously trying out the pre-installed games.
The sales rep took the chance to highlight the operating system's efficiency and battery life, suggesting that if he traveled a lot, two batteries would keep him entertained during trips without worrying about power.
"Can I register the SIM card here?"
"Yes, it's all SIM-based now. Just swap your card—no need to visit a carrier store.
But you'll still need to pay phone bills at the service center."
"Alright, is there any discount?"
"Sorry, the price is fixed...
But we can throw in some gifts.
Here's a lanyard so you can hang it around your neck, and this leather case fits snugly on your belt."
"Fair enough... I guess even the old YX1201 never dropped in price."
"Exactly—cost is cost."
...
In just half an hour, five or six customers bought phones.
The salesperson's cheeks were flushed with excitement.
Su Yuanshan estimated she had personally closed three sales already—her commission would be decent today.
"Would the two of you like to take a look?"
The salesperson, now free, turned her attention to Su Yuanshan and Zhou Xiaohui.
"It's the Vidoo launch day."
She glanced at Su Yuanshan, then smiled sweetly at Zhou Xiaohui.
"You've got great style, miss. Vidoo would suit you perfectly."
Zhou Xiaohui blinked, amused.
"Why?"
"Because Vidoo is youthful and fashionable. Look, you can wear it around your neck—it's so light."
The sales rep unclipped her own phone from her neck and handed it over.
"Compared to those bulky bricks that weigh half a kilo, Vidoo's perfect for young people."
"Hmm... now that you mention it..."
Zhou Xiaohui laughed, weighing the phone in her hand.
"It is pretty light. But I'm thinking of getting it for my dad. Would that be... inappropriate?"
Su Yuanshan nearly choked on air—was Zhou Xiaohui just messing with the girl?
Still, he was curious how the salesperson would handle this curveball.
Her nametag read: He Wei.
"Oh, it's for your father? Then Vidoo is definitely the right choice," He Wei answered smoothly.
"Why?"
"Because your dad's from that era.
If he knew this phone represented the pinnacle of our nation's technological progress, he'd be proud."
"My dad's just a simple guy—and super frugal."
"Then we have the Qunxing phone from Zhongxin.
It's from the same family as Yuanxin products, but much more affordable—and just as practical."
She bent down and retrieved a Qunxing model from the cabinet.
Zhou Xiaohui blinked again.
"Well then..."
"Ahem... enough, Xiaohui-jie."
Su Yuanshan couldn't bear to see He Wei cornered.
He smiled and said,
"He Wei, right?"
"Yes! Oh, I'm sorry—may I ask your names?"
"It's fine," Su Yuanshan waved it off.
"I'm Su, and this is my cousin Zhou Xiaohui."
Then he scribbled a phone number on a brochure.
"He Wei, once you're done here, call this number.
It belongs to Wan Yongliang—Yuanxin's head of marketing.
Just say Zhou Xiaohui recommended you."
"Uh?"
"Hehe, you've got too much talent for frontline sales.
Come work in Yuanxin's marketing department—we need people with experience like yours."
He Wei stared at the number, her mouth slightly agape.
Joy and confusion flooded her mind all at once.
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