Chapter 120 The Sudden Termination of Cooperation
Songji has been cooperating with this company called Chengrun Foods for several months now, since Shen Hui arrived, and they have maintained a good relationship.
Although Songji is not a large restaurant with high demand and does not use a lot of ingredients, it has extremely high standards for quality and a very generous procurement budget. Chengrun Foods meets Songji's requirements for ingredients, with stable and reliable quality and timely and thoughtful service. The cooperation during this period has been particularly pleasant and smooth.
So when Chengrun Foods failed to deliver the ingredients on time, Song Xinran called to inquire, only to receive a troubled reply from the account manager:
"Mr. Song, I'm so sorry, our company can no longer cooperate with Song's. Did you have some kind of conflict with Mr. Gu? Mr. Gu has been cooperating with our company for many years and is one of our major clients..."
Upon hearing this, Song Xinran understood everything, but she remained angry, her tone icy: "If we can no longer cooperate in the future, you should have told me when you received the news."
She wouldn't force it. Although the ingredients provided by Chengrun Foods are safe and fresh, there are other food supply companies in such a large city.
Now, Songji's reputation and financial situation have improved significantly since it first opened, and they are also receiving proactive inquiries from food suppliers.
When Chengrun Foods was about to deliver new ingredients, they suddenly said they could not cooperate anymore. This caught Songji off guard, leaving them no time to contact a new company, since they still had to open for business as usual today.
The account manager said in a troubled tone, "I'm sorry, Mr. Song, Mr. Gu is one of our major clients. As a mere manager, I have no right to object to his request."
Song Xinran hung up the phone, too lazy to waste any more words with this person. It seemed that Gu Hong was just trying to give them a hard time.
Song Xinran quickly calmed herself down and answered He Zhi and Fan Lei's anxious questions:
"It's still early today, let's go to the market ourselves to buy the ingredients. I'll find a suitable supplier as soon as possible."
He Zhi and Fan Lei are both kitchen staff. They arrive at the store early in the morning to prepare ingredients, and it was today that they discovered the shortage of ingredients.
Hearing this, He Zhi felt even more uneasy: "Manager, isn't this all because of President Gu? Is it because of me...?"
His tone sounded as if he was afraid of being abandoned by Song Xinran. Song Xinran couldn't help but chuckle and comforted him, "It has something to do with President Gu, but it's not because of you. Don't overthink it. Let's go buy groceries first."
He Zhi hesitated for a moment, then finally sighed and said, "Okay."
After hanging up the phone, Fan Lei asked him, "Chef He, what's going on? Haven't we been cooperating well with Chengrun all along?"
He Zhi frowned, recalling what Gu Hong had said to him these past two days: "I guess we'll have to change suppliers in the future. Let's go to the market."
Fan Lei wasn't quite clear about the grudges between them. He was just a little anxious when he saw the shortage of ingredients today. However, after calling the store manager, he felt at ease. With the store manager around, he had a pillar of support. No matter how big the problem was, it seemed like nothing in front of the store manager.
Since the store manager told them to go buy groceries now, they should go. It's always good to do what the store manager says.
Fan Lei is an honest and hardworking person. He Zhi had also made a decision in his heart. He knew that changing the ingredient supplier was a big deal for a restaurant. It was necessary to ensure the health and safety of the ingredients, and at the same time, the chefs had to regain their ability to tame the ingredients.
However, as long as the store manager doesn't abandon him, he will get through this period of switching to a suitable ingredient supplier.
Although Gu Hong had approached him several times in the past two days, promising him many generous benefits, He Zhi had suffered terribly at Rongxia Xiaochu before, and he understood Gu Hong's businessman nature. Now, he dared not take even the biggest offer. One cannot fall into the same trap twice in one's life.
He Zhi just wants to live a good life at Song Ji now.
Song Xinran did not go to the market with He Zhi and the others to buy groceries. Instead, she started contacting food suppliers, being more cautious in choosing the second supplier.
Since Gu Hong demanded that Chengrun Foods suddenly cut off its cooperation with Songji, he might also create problems for future suppliers.
Not only this needs to be considered, but the safety and health of the ingredients also need to be guaranteed. Song Xinran plans to conduct on-site investigations on this point, as food safety is the cornerstone of the catering industry.
Songji opened its shop on time that noon.
After Song Xinran arrived at the store, Shen Hui felt very guilty: "Manager, I'm sorry, I didn't expect the owner of Chengrun Foods to be this kind of person, who has no sense of trust in cooperation."
Shen Hui introduced Chengrun Foods to Song Xinran, but Song Xinran felt that Shen Hui did not need to apologize: "Shen Hui, this has nothing to do with you. It's Chengrun's problem and Gu Hong's threat. Don't worry, I'm already looking for a second supplier."
Shen Hui frowned deeply: "I didn't expect Boss Gu to be this kind of person..."
In the past, when Gu Hong came to Rongxia Xiaochu, he always appeared generous and kind, but in reality, he was always plotting and scheming.
He Zhi said, "I've known him for a long time."
Especially in the last two days, I have gained a deeper understanding.
Shen Hui glanced at him and felt that He Zhi seemed to have a lot to complain about.
Shen Hui said, "Manager, what should we do if Chengrun doesn't abide by the contract?"
Song Xinran said, "I will find a lawyer to get back the penalty for breach of contract, but with Gu Hong backing them up, they should already be ready to pay."
Song Xinran never worries about things that can be left to professionals, because a person's energy is limited.
Although they were able to get the money, the next steps were troublesome, and everyone felt a vague anxiety, with a sense of oppressive gloom.
Pang Ru suddenly said, "Manager, why don't you go check out Yuanben Xunwei?"
Compared to the gloom and despair of others, Pang Ru felt that this was a new opportunity. Their Songji restaurant was doing so well now, with customers lining up every day to eat there. It would be a loss for Chengrun not to cooperate with them.
A tree dies when transplanted, but a person thrives. Pang Ru thought that if they switched suppliers, they might be able to reach even greater heights.
Song Xinran asked, "Is Yuanben Xunwei a supplier?"
Pang Ru: "Yes! Manager, have you forgotten? The one who came to eat the spring water sour fish soup that day even gave you his business card!"
Pang Ru was a complete witness to the incident, and she had a vivid memory of the two men because they were good-looking and had praised the restaurant's food to her. Pang Ru thought they were there to express their admiration for the chef, but it turned out they were there to promote their products.
Such a dramatic event happening to a good-looking person is always unforgettable.
However, Pang Ru realized that she was the only one who couldn't forget, because the store manager had forgotten what they were promoting, and only realized it when Pang Ru mentioned it.
"Oh, so this is the place." Song Xinran didn't really remember Yuanben Xunwei, and she even forgot where she put the business card, but she had a habit of keeping things organized, so she should be able to find it if she looked around.
Pang Ru said, "They came to the restaurant again later, but they always came alone."
Song Xinran thought for a moment and decided that she had a decent impression of Lin Jingyuan, so she decided to call him later to ask.
Shen Hui later found He Zhi and quietly asked him, "Did Gu Hong say something to you?"
She doesn't call him "President Gu" anymore; she feels he's not good enough for her.
Shen Hui and He Zhi both came from Rongxia Xiaochu, so they had a lot to talk about. He Zhi had a lot on his mind, and when Shen Hui asked him, he couldn't hold back anymore: "He wants me to go back to Rongxia Xiaochu and said he'll give me a raise."
Shen Hui snorted lightly: "That's what Gu Hong told me too."
He Zhi: "He said he would give me six thousand a month."
Shen Hui: "What?"
The head chef at Rongxia Xiaochu only earns five thousand a month.
He Zhi: "Let me be the head chef, and if the other two have a conflict with me, fire one of them."
Shen Hui clicked her tongue. This was quite a generous gesture. It turned out that Gu Hong had poached these two chefs from other places.
He Zhi: "And it can give me shares in Rongxia Xiaochu and dividends, and it can also help me solve my wife's job problem."
Shen Hui's expression was complicated. She originally thought that Gu Hong had improved her treatment a lot when he recruited her, but she didn't expect that He Zhi was really going all out.
She needs to be replaced...
She was definitely tempted, but she would never go back. A boss who could make such a promise was too reckless; she might just become someone's stepping stone in the future.
"You're being offered such good treatment and you're not going back?" Shen Hui teased.
He Zhi said, "Come on, I've had contact with Gu Hong before. He doesn't know much about kitchen matters at all. I don't know how he decided on me, but I feel uneasy about putting me on such a high pedestal."
"Sigh." He Zhi sighed softly, "Gu Hong called me today and said that if he wanted Cheng Run to continue cooperating with Song Ji, I would have to go back to work at Rongxia Xiaochu."
Shen Hui got goosebumps when she heard this. How was this any different from the Taiwanese romance novels she had read?
He Zhi was also worried: "Don't tell the store manager, I'm afraid she'll make me go back."
Shen Hui: ...
She looked at He Zhi with a complicated expression, noticing his worried face and how even his slightly round belly seemed to have sunk a bit. She really couldn't figure out where he got such charm.
Although He Zhi's stir-fries taste good, only a few dishes are particularly delicious, and those are made under the guidance of the manager.
If Gu Honghua was going to put in so much effort to poach the store manager, then Shen Hui could understand it more.
“Okay, I understand,” Shen Hui said to He Zhi.
As a result, she turned around and told Song Xinran about it. When Song Xinran heard it, she remained relatively calm and asked, "What is He Zhi thinking?"
Shen Hui said, "Of course he doesn't want to leave, but he's afraid you'll kick him out."
Song Xinran smiled: "Of course not. In this situation, as long as my employee doesn't want to leave, I will support him."
"Tell He Zhi to relax."
Shen Hui agreed.
Song Xinran found this matter somewhat puzzling. What Gu Hong did didn't seem like a business battle at all; it was more like flirting in a domineering CEO drama.
If it could really be converted, then Song Xinran felt that she was probably an innocent mortal who was implicated.
However, life isn't a CEO drama, and Song Xinran isn't a fish to be slaughtered.
She just found Gu Hong's behavior hilarious.
*
Lin Jingyuan was flattered when he received Song Xinran's call. Upon learning that she was looking for a new food supplier, Lin Jingyuan immediately promoted his company.
At such a time, with such a rare opportunity, it would be better to speak eloquently. However, Lin Jingyuan knew Song Xinran well. Although they had only met once and talked once, he knew that Song Xinran did not like empty talk and disliked exaggeration.
People who love to boast won't spend a lot of money to buy local sour fruits when making spring water sour fish soup.
Therefore, Lin Jingyuan did not exaggerate, nor did he directly point out the company's shortcomings over the phone. He simply said, "Manager Song, our company values quality and integrity most in food supply. We dare not say we are perfect, but we can guarantee that every ingredient is fresh and reliable. We sincerely hope to have an opportunity for you to come to our company to see for yourself and understand the entire process of sourcing, sorting, cleaning, and safely delivering ingredients to your store."
This was exactly what Song Xinran wanted. Among the other suppliers she contacted, most of them offered to visit the samples, but it was the account manager who brought the samples to the restaurant for inspection. Song Xinran, however, preferred to visit the company.
The larger suppliers declined, while the smaller ones said they needed to arrange a more suitable time.
Lin Jingyuan was the first to suggest an on-site inspection, and Song Xinran immediately asked, "Is today okay?"
Lin Jingyuan: "Of course, as long as Manager Song has time."
After hanging up the phone, Lin Jingyuan began arranging the visit and inspection process.
First, I went to the quality control room to ask the senior chef to prepare some of the company's best-quality ingredients. Then, I had the cleaning staff clean the tasting room. After that, I asked the assistant to organize the notes on the flavors of the featured ingredients...
A young man, even younger than Lin Jingyuan, followed behind him, almost unable to keep up with his pace, and excitedly asked, "Brother, is the company welcoming any big clients today?"
Lin Jingyuan seemed to only then remember his existence. Because of Song Xinran's phone call earlier, Lin Jingyuan was in a good mood. He smiled and nodded, "Yes."
The young man immediately perked up: "Brother, which big company wants to cooperate with us?"
Lin Jingyuan said, "It's a restaurant called Song Ji Private Banquet Hall."
The young man searched his memory. His mother wanted him to work with his cousin Lin Jingyuan so he could have a bright future. He also knew a bit about restaurants and had heard of the more famous ones in the city, but Song's Private Banquet Hall...
I've never heard of it, and it doesn't sound very high-end.
The young man asked cautiously, "Brother, is this a newly opened restaurant?"
Lin Jingyuan said, "No, it's a restaurant that can accommodate twenty or thirty people."
Young man: ? ? ?
This sounds like a small-scale operation. The Sichuan restaurant next to his house can seat seventy or eighty people. How come his brother is so energetic?
The cleaning staff were in the warehouse and wouldn't be here anytime soon, so Lin Jingyuan, who couldn't stay idle, started arranging tables and chairs and called out to someone, "Xiao Wu, give me a hand and put this table by the window."
Xiao Wu had no choice but to do the work, but he was unhappy and confused: "Brother, the company has cleaning staff, why are you doing this?"
Lin Jingyuan said, "Why do I have to wait for someone else to do it for me when I have nothing to do?"
Xiao Wu pursed his lips, thinking that his brother didn't seem like a company owner at all. Big bosses are usually high and mighty, leaving these small things to their subordinates, which shows the boss's vision.
After rearranging the tables and chairs and changing the placement of some decorations, the tasting room looks more open and airy.
Xiao Wu was a little out of breath from exhaustion, but when he looked at Lin Jingyuan, he was still full of energy and even wanted to go to the fields to check on the vegetables and to the mountains to check on the fruit.
Xiao Wu couldn't hold back any longer: "Brother, was it just Songji Fang that came to visit and inspect this afternoon?"
Lin Jingyuan said, "Yes."
Xiao Wu said tactfully, "It doesn't seem to be a famous restaurant. You've gone to great lengths, brother. Actually, these small restaurants are already very lucky to be able to cooperate with our company."
Lin Jingyuan looked at him with a hint of disdain, thinking that his cousin was indeed hopeless. He had originally let him stay by his side out of courtesy, since he was a young man and the internship salary wasn't high, so he wouldn't lose out by doing manual labor.
As a result, now he lacks strength and has no vision.
Lin Jingyuan: "What do you know?"
"Go and clean the warehouse, help Sister Zheng with the cleaning."
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