However, one thing is clear: the First Department Store is significantly better than Xinxin Department Store in terms of both product distribution and the condition of its sales staff.
Just as she was about to leave the department store, Jiang Fusheng, with his sharp eyes, caught up with her.
"What a coincidence." Jiang Fusheng smiled.
"I'm going to buy something for the child." Qin Xiaoyu didn't know how much he knew about her, so she brought up the child first to dispel any improper thoughts.
"Didn't get one? Come on, I'll show you." Without waiting for a reply, Jiang Fusheng led the way to the toy section.
"There's really no way to choose, they have too many toys." Qin Xiaoyu wanted to get away, and this excuse wasn't exactly a lie.
"Having many toys doesn't necessarily mean we have everything. Come and see our specialties." Jiang Fusheng took out a strange car from the counter. It was flat, almost square, and quite heavy. Most surprisingly, when he opened the trunk, several miniature tanks fell out, each one exquisitely crafted.
"This is really good." Qin Xiaoyu could imagine the look of surprise and delight on Hanhan's face.
"It looks like it's a boy."
“There’s another girl,” Qin Xiaoyu blurted out.
"Girls just need dresses, haha, I'm really bad at talking, trying to sell dresses to a mother who owns a clothing factory in front of her daughter. But can she try it on?" Jiang Fusheng, a seasoned businessman, possessed exceptional sales skills.
Hearing him say that, Qin Xiaoyu had no room to refuse and could only obediently go to the children's clothing counter.
“This one is good.” Jiang Fusheng pulled out an inconspicuous little cheongsam from above.
This is a mini version of a cheongsam, with the buttons and clasps all neatly knotted into auspicious knots. It's made of white poplin fabric and sprinkled with small red plum blossoms.
"Great, I like it." Qin Xiaoyu imagined her younger sister wearing it and looking like a little lady; she really needed one like that.
After buying the gifts, Qin Xiaoyu tried to escape, but Jiang Fusheng clearly didn't want to let her go so easily, and took her to the rooftop restaurant.
The restaurant is Russian-style, somewhat similar to Liunian Xiaozhu, and mainly serves Western-style pastries and coffee drinks, except for an additional frozen dessert.
“This is our specialty.” Jiang Fusheng brought over two ice creams and placed one in front of each person.
Qin Xiaoyu forked a small piece and put it in her mouth. The rich milky aroma was better than any ice cream in the 21st century.
"It's delicious." She wasn't one to beat around the bush and didn't want to say anything against her conscience. This shopping trip to the No. 1 Department Store was truly enjoyable.
"Alright, let's get back to the main topic. I know that Manager Chen personally invited you here. I also know you somewhat; you're a very loyal person, so it's unlikely I could steal the job." Jiang Fusheng was quite self-aware, and his words made Qin Xiaoyu laugh.
"Then why are you doing something pointless?"
"How do you know it's useless if you don't do it? I don't like to say things in advance; you can only see the results by doing them. Even putting aside my position, I can tell you that Xinxin Department Store is not suitable for Riyue Apparel."
Tell me about it.
"First, Xinxin Department Store's management is too bureaucratic and inflexible. Your counter is a pilot project, making you an outlier at Xinxin. I know how many people Manager Chen offended to secure your counter; they're all potential pitfalls on your path. If you step on one, you might not be able to escape unscathed. Second, Xinxin's management is inflexible. I know you're quick-witted to have succeeded with Riyue Apparel, but at Xinxin, you're under a tight rein. Even the smallest change requires approval. If it's a holiday or a manager is unavailable, you'll have to wait several days. This will wear down your will, and you won't be able to persevere. Third, Manager Chen is only a floor manager with limited authority. And as far as I know, Xinxin has frequent personnel changes. If you lose this support one day, how will you survive at Xinxin?"
"Hmm, tell me about your strengths." Qin Xiaoyu was starting to perk up.
"My advantage is that although I am the deputy manager of the No. 1 Department Store, I am in charge of sales. The entire building is under my management, and I have more power than Manager Chen. This allows me to be more flexible. Where should the counters be located? It's not necessarily the best place in the clothing department. What if I give you the prime location on the first floor?" Manager Chen took a big bite and stuffed the entire ice cream into his mouth.
Qin Xiaoyu had been persuaded by him to about 80%; the prime location on the first floor was a huge temptation.
"I still want to wait for Xin Xin's reply. Manager Chen invited me here, and I can't just leave like this."
“I knew Director Qin was a responsible person. If we reach an agreement, we will cover all of Director Qin’s travel expenses so as not to put you in a difficult position.” Jiang Fusheng was very thoughtful.
As Qin Xiaoyu walked into the hotel lobby, she saw Manager Chen pacing back and forth like a cat on a hot tin roof.
"I've been here for ages, and you're still not in the room," Manager Chen said, his words carrying a hidden meaning.
"I bought some gifts for the kids." Qin Xiaoyu waved the things in her hand.
"Bought at the No. 1 Department Store?" It wasn't that Manager Chen had sharp eyes; the No. 1 Department Store had produced a batch of large kraft paper bags with the store logo printed on them in order to attract customers.
"I just happened to be passing by and bought it. It's in a prime location, how did the negotiations go?" Qin Xiaoyu was too lazy to explain further to her.
"That's exactly why I came. Let's go inside and talk." Manager Chen's expression was not optimistic.
"It seems the deal didn't go through?" Qin Xiaoyu had a pretty good idea of what was going on.
"Yes, but the boss agreed to add three percentage points to the commission." Manager Chen wasn't empty-handed; three percentage points wasn't a small amount. Jiang Fusheng had just agreed to give up the prime first-floor location, but he wanted to reduce the commission by two percentage points. This addition and subtraction gave Qin Xiaoyu something to calculate.
"My principle is the golden ratio; the point value isn't a very important indicator," Qin Xiaoyu said thoughtfully.
"Director Qin, when I visited your factory last time, I also inquired about your business from the sidelines. You are a kind and righteous person, so I might as well tell you the truth. Xinxin Department Store is facing restructuring. If I can finalize the matter of the Riyue Clothing counter, I might stay on. Otherwise..." Manager Chen was also anxious, unaware that he had hit Qin Xiaoyu's weak spot.
She remembered Jiang Fusheng's words and broke out in a cold sweat. If she rashly opened Riyue Clothing in Xinxin Department Store and soon lost Manager Chen as her backer, and then became a thorn in the side of her rival, life would be unbearable. Selling goods was not as practical as playing palace intrigue; she was afraid.
Manager Chen tried everything to persuade Qin Xiaoyu, but to no avail, and had no choice but to leave dejectedly.
Qin Xiaoyu lay on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, still wanting to go to that room to take a look. She gritted her teeth and got up.
"I'm sorry, comrade, we are a military guesthouse and we do not accept outsiders."
This time, I was turned away again; the staff at the military region's guesthouse gave me no room for negotiation.
Disappointed, she walked out of the guesthouse. It was already getting dark. This street was filled with fear for her, especially since the person who had protected her was no longer there.
She walked quickly toward the bus stop, and a jeep stopped beside her. A Lei, wearing a long black trench coat, got out of the car.
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