At that time, they were on their way to find a restaurant rumored to be time-honored, but they ended up at a crossroad and saw that paper box factory.
Chiang Xiao immediately said she wanted to print packaging boxes for her pastries, and Meng Xinian, without saying a word, led her inside.
As soon as the factory director heard about the design of the packaging box she had drawn, his eyes lit up and he immediately asked, "Can we make this box, I mean, if others come to us to order packaging boxes, can we make this one for them?"
Chiang Xiao hadn’t expected to encounter someone with a business mindset and vision right away and quickly said, "Of course not! This box was designed by me, and I’m going to apply for a patent. It can only be used by myself, others are not allowed!"
"Apply for a patent?" both the factory director and Meng Xinian looked at her.
Chiang Xiao knew that awareness of property rights and patents was not very strong at that time, but she planned to run her pastry business for a long time. Naturally, she hoped that these matters could be handled carefully from the start to avoid troubles later on.
The paper box she designed was still quite delicate and novel even twenty years later. The packaging box was also a factor in attracting customers, and she certainly wouldn’t let others use her ideas for free.
The factory director, surnamed Su, indeed had a unique vision.
"That’s right, this packaging box is my own creation, of course I want to apply for a patent, and the procedures have already been handled," Chiang Xiao said, feeling somewhat annoyed.
In fact, she hadn’t applied for it yet.
This aspect was something she hadn’t fully considered. She hadn’t expected to come across such a shrewd and perceptive man who, at first glance, was interested in the box she had drawn.
Therefore, she could only lie first, saying that she had already completed the procedures for applying for a patent.
Factory Director Su seemed genuinely disappointed.
"Actually, Comrade Xiao Chiang, I could pay you for the design of this box," Factory Director Su persisted, "How about this, for twenty yuan, what do you think? After all, we would make it for you at the cheapest price. How about it?"
Meng Xinian looked at Chiang Xiao.
He was not without surprise.
She was actually capable of designing packaging boxes, and they seemed pretty good; otherwise, Factory Director Su wouldn’t have taken an interest at first sight. This could even be sold! In the future, she could get the cheapest price for her packaging boxes!
Hmm, this girl really knew how to make money.
And, upon hearing the offer, her expression didn’t change in the slightest.
"Factory Director Su, I really only want to use this packaging box for myself. It wasn’t easy to come up with. How about this, you give me the cheapest price for making these boxes, and I’ll think of another design for you later, no charge, what do you think?"
After all, she knew plenty of paper box designs, and many more styles would come out in the future. She had used quite a few, and with her background in art, she had a good eye for this and could tell how to draw a box’s flat plan simply by taking it apart.
If she could exchange a box design for this deal, she would still be getting the better end of the bargain.
Factory Director Su immediately agreed, "Deal! Then it’s settled! Comrade Xiao Chiang, how soon can you draw it up?"
"Give me two days, I’ll bring the drawings to you in two days. Factory Director Su, let’s talk about my boxes first?"
"Haha, sure, sure, how many do you want to make?"
"How many is the minimum your factory can produce?"
"It has to be at least two hundred units and above. But, Comrade Xiao Chiang, for this type of box, do you want quality paper, or just the average kind?"