Chapter 312: Breaking News

"By the way, boss, there's something I need to report to you!"

Ma Tengdong suddenly remembered something and said with a somewhat awkward expression.

Xia Yu raised an eyebrow and said, "Go ahead, what's the matter?"

"It's about the Rubik's Cube. As per your request, I placed the Rubik's Cube for sale in our flagship stores, but the situation isn't very good."

Xia Yu wasn't too concerned, instead, he asked with a curious smile, "How many units have we sold?"

"Over the three days, we sold a total of 365 low-end Rubik's Cubes, 34 mid-range ones, and only 15 high-end Rubik's Cubes."

Ma Tengdong said awkwardly, the numbers making him feel quite embarrassed.

With the total of 414 units sold across ten stores over three days, it averages to about 14 Rubik's Cubes sold per store per day. This is with the boost from the opening, so it's likely that sales might even decrease later on.

However, Ma Tengdong was aware that the Rubik's Cube was a toy Xia Yu had high hopes for, with global patents pending and a research lab established specifically for its development.

But the current sales figures were quite embarrassing! He felt like he couldn't face Xia Yu.

Seeing Ma Tengdong's guilty expression, Xia Yu laughed and said, "It's surprising that we've sold over 400 units already. That's not too bad. Don't be too hard on yourself; this was to be expected."

Given there was no advertising or promotion, selling any Rubik's Cubes at all was already an accomplishment.

The Rubik's Cube was Xia Yu's most valued toy, and he wouldn't just leave it to its own devices.

He already had a clear marketing plan for the Rubik's Cube; it was just that the time wasn't right to make a push yet.

First, there's the issue of the Rubik's Cube's global patents still being processed. Although the process has been expedited, it still requires time.

If the Rubik's Cube became popular and attracted the attention of major players in the toy industry, they might try to sabotage Xia Yu and rush to register the patents.

Second, an important marketing strategy needed the help of TV stations, but it's not yet the time for exposure on the TV station. So Xia Yu had to wait a bit longer for the Rubik's Cube.

For now, the Rubik's Cube would continue to sell slowly, like a small spark spreading across various regions, fermenting on its own. Once the right opportunity arises, it could rapidly ignite.

And it's not that Xia Yu was indifferent to the Rubik's Cube; he had a plan to accelerate its momentum, and it would definitely be effective.

Let's not forget, he now had the flagship stores, and the Rubik's Cube was being sold there.

"Tengdong, insert the Rubik's Cube into the 'Dragon Ball' manga."

Xia Yu said with a smile.

Ma Tengdong's eyes lit up; it was indeed a good idea. But the question was, how to integrate it?

Ma Tengdong asked with a thoughtful expression, "Boss, how do you think it should be integrated? I can't come up with an idea at the moment."

"I've checked the current serialization progress. Sun Wukong hasn't yet climbed up to the Karin Tower's shrine, right? Based on the previous plot, Sun Wukong will practice in the shrine to improve his combat power. You can insert a storyline where."

"A divine being presents a wisdom cube from the Wisdom Planet to train Sun Wukong's intelligence and mental strength. How exactly to construct this training scenario is up to your team. My only requirement is that the Rubik's Cube should be shown as a tool for brain training and intellectual development. Readers should form the idea that the Rubik's Cube is a brain-enhancing toy!"

After hearing Xia Yu's suggestion, Ma Tengdong was stunned. It could be done like this?

Ma Tengdong's reaction made Xia Yu feel pleased; his effort to come up with a good idea wasn't in vain.

"What do you think of this idea?"

Xia Yu smiled and asked, snapping Ma Tengdong out of his astonishment.

Ma Tengdong showed admiration and said, "Boss, this idea is brilliant. I believe that once this storyline is included, it will definitely spark a sales craze for the Rubik's Cube when the manga is released."

Ma Tengdong wasn't flattering; it was his heartfelt opinion.

As long as readers get this notion, and then learn that "Manke House" sells Rubik's Cubes, many readers would definitely buy them out of curiosity.

Moreover, once the concept of brain-enhancing toys is established, children can confidently ask their parents to buy them a Rubik's Cube. Whether they genuinely want to try it or just to avoid discouraging their child's spirit, parents won't be able to refuse such a request. Spending a few bucks is no big deal, right? What if it really works?

So even though the plan wasn't yet implemented, Ma Tengdong could already predict that the Rubik's Cube's sales would definitely take off.

And he wouldn't feel guilty, because the Rubik's Cube truly is a brain-enhancing toy beneficial to children's physical and mental development.

Experts have confirmed that it can train at least seven skills, including vision, endurance, hand strength, memory, spatial judgment, attention, and neural response speed.

In addition, playing with the Rubik's Cube constantly challenges oneself and subtly influences one's temperament and willpower.

Although this isn't known to the public yet, Xia Yu planned to invite these experts to the TV station for authoritative opinions and write several authoritative articles in newspapers. The Rubik's Cube's sales would surely be secure.

No, Xia Yu would only worry about the toy factory's production capacity keeping up!

"Arrange it as soon as possible. The storyline needs to be reasonable and spark the readers' curiosity as much as possible. Got it?"

Xia Yu reminded again.

"Understood!"

Ma Tengdong nodded heavily.

...

Not long after returning to the main office, Yan Wenhan came to find Xia Yu, beaming with excitement.

"Boss, great news!"

Yan Wenhan said with a joyful expression, unable to hide his smile.

Xia Yu's curiosity was piqued. He asked Yan Wenhan to sit down and said, "Sit down and tell me slowly."

"Thank you, boss!"

"Boss, it's about the Xingdao News Group. I've received news that the Xingdao News Group can't withstand the pressure anymore. Hu Xian wants to sell the company."

Yan Wenhan directly delivered a bombshell, causing Xia Yu's calm demeanor to ripple.

Xia Yu's eyes grew deeper as he stared at Yan Wenhan and asked, "Is it really that serious?"

After the exposure of the sales fraud, Xingdao News Group had been under intense scrutiny, and with the help of some interested parties, the Hong Kong government had to intervene and order the group to cease operations and undergo rectification.

After that, Xia Yu had not paid much attention to it since Xingdao News Group no longer posed a threat. There was no need to waste his energy on it.

However, it was unexpected that the usually powerful Hu Xian would consider selling the company, indicating that Xingdao News Group's situation was even worse than what was visible.

Logically speaking, the Xingdao News Group had a vast foundation and network accumulated over decades, so it shouldn't have reached this point.

Unless…

Someone had sinister intentions, forcing Hu Xian into a desperate situation, making the decision to sell the company as the lesser evil.

But who could it be? Xia Yu wondered if Yan Wenhan knew.

Contemplating this, Xia Yu looked at Yan Wenhan.