Chapter 155: Chapter 154 Monthly Ticket 120+
After Li Shuren finished speaking, Qu Chaozong took a mental lap around his head and finally grasped the meaning.
In business matters, Qu Chaozong has always shared a tacit understanding with Shi Yang. He threw over a few compliments and words of gratitude, but didn’t pick up the thread of conversation.
Recently, Li Shuren has been quite smug. After a few drinks, his words uncontrollably took on a bragging tone.
When Shi Yang heard Li Shuren talking about Naughty Castle membership cards selling hot and achieving the entire mall floor’s sales in three months, he became more determined to tackle the mall leasing issue.
Even Shi Yang was moved, and Qu Chaozong felt even more envious and eager.
If Li Shuren knew his boastful words were digging out the ambition deep in the bones of the two business partners, he would definitely regret it bitterly.
After seeing off Li Shuren, Shi Yang found Qu Chaozong, and the two of them huddled to discuss the matter.
With kindergarten kids shouting and running all over the yard, Shi Yang and Qu Chaozong had to step outside the gate. They leaned against the green belt beside the courtyard wall, having a face-to-face chat.
Qu Chaozong dug out a cigarette from his hoodie pocket, stuck one in his mouth, and offered the pack to Shi Yang.
Qu Chaozong took a puff, letting the nicotine circulate through his body for a while before exhaling through his nose. He sighed comfortably: "Li Shuren, that sly old fox, is he really planning to recruit you as his top general? He enjoys the benefits while we do the heavy lifting. He takes the big share and we get the crumbs. How come all the good stuff falls into his lap? Heaven must be his uncle!"
Shi Yang took a drag on his cigarette, paused for a moment, and said, "I still intend to try moving into the mall. They’re about to start officially leasing space to outsiders. If it doesn’t work, I’ll just spend more money. Raise the rent, and I refuse to believe they can hold their ground."
Upon hearing this, Qu Chaozong protested immediately: "That’s not right. How can a tenant raise their own rent? Mall rents increase every year. If you raise the level now upon entry, it’ll surpass sales in a couple of years. How can we continue?"
Shi Yang bit on the cigarette, his neat rows of teeth gripping it, revealing a determined and bold spirit: "I’ll just do it for a year, boost the profit, then grab a storefront outside. We can operate the same way. If not, we’ll move across to the competitor’s mall. Aren’t they always competing fiercely? I refuse to believe they would challenge me over rent if I attract clients."
Qu Chaozong stared at Shi Yang: "That’s too risky, isn’t it? If you don’t establish something before others follow suit and enter the mall, where we gonna squeeze in then? These amusement setups aren’t like selling clothes; there are only so many kids, and similar projects will directly affect the customer base!"
Shi Yang blew out a mouthful of smoke, with his mouth closed, visibly clenching his teeth: "As long as we can stall for half a year, we’ll have the buffer to adapt. Even if anyone wants to test our waters, Li Shuren would be the first to catch wind. Their suppliers are clustered in the south; any small incident, one phone call within the logistics company and it’s known to all. If someone insists on stealing our meat, I have ways to ensure they stare at non-operating space even after two months of renovations."
Qu Chaozong listened to Shi Yang and realized now that Shi Yang was treating the fire station like his backyard, handling things covertly isn’t challenging for him.
Half of Qu Chaozong’s suspended worry settled, yet he started worrying about Li the sly fox’s proposal for the provincial Naughty Castle setup business.
Qu Chaozong flicked some ash and asked: "You already planned; why didn’t you outright reject Li Shuren’s suggestion before?"
Shi Yang’s lips curled with a hint of satisfaction: "He laid out the profitable path right under us, not stepping on it’s foolishness."
Upon hearing this, Qu Chaozong raised his voice, flustered: "You’re tied up, who’ll handle the next task? I’m already overwhelmed with work!"
Shi Yang chuckled: "Soldiers who don’t aim to be generals aren’t good soldiers. Aren’t you the vice president of our company? Ever seen any company president fighting in the trenches alongside frontline workers?"
Qu Chaozong was slightly surprised, shook his head: "I get your point, you want me to delegate tasks to subordinates! The problem is they’re skilled at slacking! I’m here watching them and they’re working like this; if I leave, who knows what they’ll mess up!"
Shi Yang took the final drag and stubbed out the cigarette, patting Qu Chaozong on the shoulder: "Don’t worry, brother. The world spins just fine without any single person. I think that guy under you, Third Brother, seems decent. Observe him carefully. If he fits, elevate him to handle county town kindergartens.
"Leave the city to Wang Tianyu. My setup there is mostly complete, doesn’t need much personnel. I’ll contact Li Shuren later; you should visit the provincial capital. If it works, leave it to Wang Tianyu. I’ve asked him, and his family is originally elsewhere. He stayed here after college without attachments, so moving anywhere isn’t a burden for him."
With a few words, Shi Yang swallowed the big pie thrown by Xu Shuren.
Qu Chaozong, rooted in this city, certainly couldn’t go to the provincial capital. Wang Tianyu after these years together, just stepping into society, is relatively flexible under his guidance, more adept than typical tech types yet more genuine than slick social players. Such people are good to manage.
Regarding county town tasks handed to Third Brother, it’s because earlier chats revealed Third Brother has one son and one daughter. The son joined the military and the daughter is in high school, just needing money. As long as there’s a financial need, it’s negotiable, unless he uses his brain for unwieldy ideas.
"Damn! You sly fox! You had it all laid out?"
Qu Chaozong, usually sharp-tongued, could not best anyone in idle chatter, but when it came to serious matters, habitually deferred to Shi Yang’s opinion.
Witnessing his hurdle lightly resolved by Shi Yang’s deft touch, he felt surprised yet joyful, calculating the inside profit. Relishing secretly, he laughed: "Even a small flea is meat!"
Shi Yang’s handsome face lit up with a brilliant smile: "And the key is, it’s free. Why not take it!"
Qu Chaozong stubbed his cigarette, smoked halfway, savoring its aroma in hand.