Old Master Qiu coughed lightly: "This is my last disciple. He spent the last few years in the south and only recently returned to Shanghai."
Ning Yuan took the initiative to shake hands with the man in front of her: "Comrade Xiang Ziying, hello."
But just as she was about to let go, Xiang Ziying gripped her hand tighter and said coolly—
"Comrade Ning Yuan, oh, I should say classmate. You're still in university, right? That's amazing for someone so young to get into such a big project. You must have a powerful background?"
That was almost a provocation.
It wasn't Ning Yuan who gave him the cold shoulder first, but Uncle Qiao.
He looked at Old Qiu and smiled faintly: "Young people these days are indeed full of youthful vigor."
This kid knows nothing about the inside story, but he's got a mouth.
Old Qiu's face instantly turned somewhat awkward, and he could only say in a stern tone, "Ziying, if you don't want to stay with this old man and properly inspect the construction site, then you can go back first."
Didn't you see that Ning Yuan has always been neither arrogant nor humble?
The officials here hold quite high administrative ranks in Shanghai.
When Teacher Qiu spoke, Xiang Ziying released his hand, looking apologetic: "Teacher, I was just curious about just how amazing Ning Yuan is."
Old Master Qiu looks unwell. What's wrong with Ziying today?
The Hong Kong government's Ning family wouldn't allow mainland personnel to follow up on the project from the beginning; only this young girl was someone Old Qiao found an opportunity and used an excuse to force her into the project.
After all—this seemingly inexperienced young girl is not easy to guard against.
Old Qiao later reported these matters at the city's overall work meeting and received permission!
This means that Ning Yuan is essentially an "advisor" who has been informed by all parties.
As it turned out, she did a good job, and the materials kept coming out.
Ziying is spouting nonsense here, saying that others are incompetent and got into the project purely through connections?
Doesn't this offend the whole group of people making the decisions at the top?
Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Ning Yuan smiled and replied, "Comrade Xiang, please feel free to ask any questions you may have about our department store's project. I am also very willing to learn from professionals."
Ning Yuan had already anticipated that some people would question her.
She is too inexperienced, too young, and not even from an architecture or design background. What makes her qualified to be a mainland consultant who follows the project from start to finish?
It's understandable that this proud disciple of Master Qiu might feel resentful.
Out of respect for Old Master Qiu, she wouldn't mind personally offering him another way out.
Whether or not Comrade Xiang accepts this offer is beyond her control.
Xiang Ziying smiled this time and seized the opportunity to ask, "Then I'd like to ask Xiao Ning, when you set up this semi-open store, have you considered theft? Even now, people still steal from state-owned stores."
Seeing that his disciple had asked a formal question, Elder Qiu finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Ning Yuan nodded: "To solve this problem, firstly, high-value items such as radios and gold and silver jewelry still have safes made of bulletproof glass."
She looked at Mr. Qiu, Director Li, Uncle Qiao, and others on the side: "Some high-value items are even just model samples, and each item will have an anti-theft mark to prevent the item from being replaced."
The group of visitors nodded thoughtfully.
Ning Yuan continued, "If it's clothing, the tags or hangtags on the garments will be fixed to the display rack with special ropes or chains, making it difficult for customers to remove the garments without the assistance of store staff."
"At the same time, there will be staff members in the fitting room to register how many items of clothing each customer takes into the fitting room."
Xiang Ziying scoffed, "That's all? Isn't that pretty much the same as a department store in mainland China with a counter in the front and merchandise display shelves in the back?"
Ning Yuan wasn't provoked. She simply said calmly, "Of course it's different. Our kind of store can satisfy most customers' needs to touch the fabric and check the style of the clothes themselves before buying. They don't have to worry about being scolded by the sales staff if they touch the clothes but don't buy them."
These days, department store sales clerks are highly sought after, very arrogant, and have poor attitudes.
Seeing Xiang Ziying taking notes thoughtfully, she continued, "Of course, we should train employees in anti-theft awareness and skills; including reducing the amount of inventory on the shelves; and conducting regular inspections."
She led them on a tour, pointing out the department store entrance and a construction site as she went—
"The layout and design of the mall also take theft prevention into account. For example, the entrances and exits of the fitting rooms are designed to be relatively narrow so that store staff can more easily observe customers coming in and out..."
Assistant Ye added to those present, "The Ning family and Lane Crawford are collaborating on a small anti-theft buckle that can be attached to clothing. Although it was originally used by foreign militaries to prevent the loss of weapons, it is now being adapted for civilian use."
"Overseas shopping malls will soon try it out first. If the results are good, the Hong Kong government will also introduce it and use it in the renovation project of Department Store No. 10."
Ning Yuan smiled and nodded at Assistant Ye, then continued, "In short, since we dare to do this, we must have our own reasons."
Uncle Qiao looked at Ning Yuan as she spoke eloquently, his eyes filled with satisfaction.
He personally led everyone to the second floor: "At that time, there will be two elevators here. In addition to the normal categories of goods, there will also be various restaurants and an indoor playground for children on the second, third and fourth floors."
Looking at the various pipe modifications, Old Qiu remarked, "This is a very good idea."
"Teacher Qiu, what's so good about this? How can the current ventilation system support the smoky atmosphere of the kitchen?" Xiang Ziying said coolly.
He paused for a moment: "If the cooking fumes come out and get on the clothes or other goods, how can we sell them? The customers will be driven away by the fumes!"
Ning Yuan smiled and said, "Yes, Chinese food produces a lot of oily smoke, but Western food produces less, so the main restaurants here are coffee shops and Western restaurants."
"Each floor has only one Chinese restaurant, as well as some dim sum and wonton shops that don't produce much oily smoke."
She pointed in one direction: "The Chinese restaurant's kitchen is located in the most well-ventilated part of the entire building, equipped with the best ventilation system currently available, and each kitchen has a balcony."
In the 1980s, ventilation in shopping malls mainly relied on fans, but she has already asked her team to reserve room for future air conditioning system upgrades.
Everything was designed according to the standards of a shopping mall in later generations (that is, a comprehensive shopping mall that integrates shopping, entertainment and dining).
Uncle Qiao introduced him to Director Li and Old Qiu, looking quite proud.
"People who shop here can also dine, relax, chat, and read books. Children can play in the indoor playground, which will definitely attract people to spend money to the maximum extent."
That's a brilliant idea! Xiao Ning is so clever!
Director Li found it quite strange. People go to department stores to eat, have snacks, and drink coffee. Isn't it better to eat at a restaurant and drink coffee at a coffee shop?
Assistant Ye smiled without saying a word, sitting beside the several supervisors, feeling somewhat sentimental.
I initially thought her design was strange, making the mall layout messy, and the budget for the ventilation duct design and renovation alone would double. But after I presented the plan to my CEO...
After studying it for a day, Young Master Ning replied decisively with a telegram—Approved!
Old Master Qiu looked at his apprentice, raised an eyebrow, and was about to speak again.
Old Qiu covered his forehead and said, "Oh dear, my head hurts. Ziying, go find my medicine in the car first. I'll come find you after the tour."
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