Chapter 77

Sun Chengping believed that the psychology of merchants always drives them to seek profit. Small merchants don't miss the opportunity to make small profits, and large merchants won't let go of the chance to make big profits; in essence, they are the same. He was a man of quick temper, and to him, time was money and wealth. The Commercial Building had a large number of skilled employees, and what he urgently needed now was a transformation of the business projects.

Before the project was successfully launched, Sun Chengping did not want to publicize anything. He told the old employees that he wanted to run a mall, but in his heart, he had already planned everything out. Facing Cheng Jemin, he couldn't help but reveal his long-cherished idea: "I plan to open a wholesale store."

As soon as these words came out, Sun Chengping almost wanted to slap himself. After all, this kind of investment was still a novelty in Tianyuan City. Many people still had doubts about investing in a mall. Would this deal fall through if he mentioned it to someone who wanted to join in?

Without waiting for Cheng Jemin's response, he quickly added: "This... my idea is not yet mature. We can continue to investigate the market."

To his surprise, Cheng Jemin waved his hand and said: "Alright, this project is feasible. Although only big cities have such wholesale stores, as the times progress, I progress. Any thing that meets the needs of market development has the power of a trend. We must seize the opportunity to gain an advantage in future competition."

Sun Chengping had never mentioned this idea to anyone before. At this moment, Cheng Jemin's firm attitude made him feel like he had found a kindred spirit. Cheng Jemin was even more optimistic about the prospects of the supermarket than he was.

Looking at Cheng Jemin's young figure, he couldn't help but ask: "Manager Cheng, the supermarket is great. Do you really think it will flourish in large and medium-sized cities?"

Cheng Jemin, hearing Sun Chengping's question, thought to himself, "In my diary, it says that you will spread large and small supermarkets throughout Tianyuan City. Why do you lack confidence in yourself?"

"Um, I think there's no problem."

Cheng Jemin's answer was firm, and Sun Chengping felt even more confident. He moved a chair to sit next to Cheng Jemin and enthusiastically discussed the supermarket project. Cheng Jemin had already given this project a lot of thought, and with the notes in his notebook, he quickly made Sun Chengping's eyes shine.

"Manager Cheng, with what you've said, I'm becoming more and more confident about this supermarket. Let's do it this way, you put in the capital, and I'll work with you!"

Cheng Jemin, who was talking eloquently, was taken aback. He had already decided that investing in Sun Chengping's supermarket was a good move, but he didn't expect that after this exchange, he would end up taking the lead.

He couldn't take the lead. Thinking about his upcoming rural support mission, Cheng Jemin patted Sun Chengping's shoulder and said: "Manager Sun, you need to have confidence in yourself. The supermarket project should be led by you."

"I..." Sun Chengping wanted to say more, but Cheng Jemin firmly said: "I believe in your ability. You will definitely do better than me in this area."

Sun Chengping was just an ordinary employee in the unit. He had never been promoted to manager, deputy manager, or even team leader. Now, Cheng Jemin, who had already risen in his eyes, trusted him so much, which made him feel a sense of being trusted.

"Manager Cheng, I borrowed from many relatives, and... and I only managed to get 30,000 yuan. To open a supermarket, at least 200,000 yuan is needed..." Sun Chengping said, then added softly: "Only one or two of my coworkers are investing, so the main part will be you, and the person in charge should also be you..."

200,000 yuan, Cheng Jemin currently only had 90,000 yuan. He was still hesitant about investing all of it. After some thought, he asked in a serious tone: "How do you plan to use the 200,000 yuan?"

"The 200,000 yuan, the largest part is the rental fee for the mall. I've talked to the leaders of the Supply and Marketing Cooperative. Since I am an internal employee, they gave me an internal price, 10,000 yuan per month." Sun Chengping said, looking a bit disappointed.

10,000 yuan per month for the mall rental was acceptable. Cheng Jemin thought for a moment and said: "Manager Sun, if that's the case, we can actually open the supermarket with 100,000 yuan. Look, the rental fee for this building, I think we can negotiate with the Supply and Marketing Cooperative to pay monthly."

Pay monthly? Sun Chengping looked a bit hesitant and said: "But... but the leaders of the Supply and Marketing Cooperative might not agree!"

"If we pay monthly, we can offer them 11,000 yuan. Besides, opening this supermarket will employ most of the building's staff, reducing their burden. In a sense, we are providing an employment platform for the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, which is a contribution to society!" Cheng Jemin patted Sun Chengping's shoulder and smiled easily.

An extra 1,000 yuan per month, which would be 12,000 yuan per year, based on his understanding of the leaders of the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, there was a possibility of reaching an agreement. If they could use the old employees, it would lighten the burden on the Supply and Marketing Cooperative.

"Alright, let's do it this way!"

After discussing some details with Sun Chengping, Cheng Jemin said seriously: "Manager Sun, you need to determine who can invest on your side. We should find a time to register with the business department. One thing we need to clarify is that the operating model and profit distribution of the mall must be signed in a contract, to avoid disputes later."

Sun Chengping and his coworkers had never thought about signing a contract. Seeing Cheng Jemin's serious attitude, he felt that this person was not only smart but also a good businessman.

Gu Xixi had been quietly listening to Cheng Jemin and Sun Chengping's conversation. Although she had no business experience, she felt that Cheng Jemin was actually more capable in running a supermarket than Sun Chengping.

Leaving the door, she held Cheng Jemin's hand and said: "Dear, where did you learn your business skills?"

Cheng Jemin smiled and said: "Your humble servant is a natural, and I welcome Gu Xixi's admiration!"

The two had a sweet lunch and walked around the street for a while before holding hands and returning to Cheng Jemin's dormitory. On the way back, Cheng Jemin received another call from Liu Tairan, saying he had arrived in Tianyuan City and invited Cheng Jemin to dinner in the evening.

"You go to dinner at six, I'll go home at five, so nothing will be delayed." Gu Xixi hugged Cheng Jemin and said softly.

Cheng Jemin looked at the time; it was still an hour before five. He smiled mischievously and said: "The dorm is quiet now, perfect for us to work overtime!"

Gu Xixi understood what "work overtime" meant. Looking at Cheng Jemin's passionate gaze, she felt a surge of sweetness in her heart. Thinking about the scenes of Cheng Jemin's passion, her face turned red.

Sending Gu Xixi, who was full of spring, to the entrance of the family compound, Cheng Jemin reluctantly walked to the hotel where Liu Tairan had made the appointment. Walking on the street, seeing the bustling crowd, it felt as if Gu Xixi was still by his side.

Shaking his head, Cheng Jemin began to think about his actions over the past few days. Getting Sun Chengping's supermarket up and running was essential for making money and would also strengthen his relationship with Tang Zhengshan.

Such a good thing, besides Tang Zhengshan, should he also offer it to someone else? Although they might not invest 10,000 or 20,000 yuan, an investment of 5,000 or 6,000 yuan would earn them a lot of money in the future.

Who should he invite? Cheng Jemin first thought of Li Zhonghua, but he quickly dismissed the idea. Li Zhonghua's position was too high, and he might not be interested in such a small business. Moreover, their relationship was not close enough. Besides Li Zhonghua, there was no need to pull in anyone else from the department.

Wu Dagang, in an instant, Cheng Jemin thought of Wu Dagang. He had relied on Wu Dagang a lot recently, and this clean and proper way of making money was suitable for Wu Dagang.

Just as Cheng Jemin was thinking about when to go to Wu Dagang's house to discuss the matter, Gu Xixi had already returned home. Opening the door, she found not only her mother, Zuo Xinlan, but also her rarely home father sitting there.

"Mom, Dad!" Gu Xixi put on a relaxed appearance, but her greeting did not receive a response from either of them.

What's wrong?

Just as Gu Xixi was feeling uneasy, she heard Zuo Xinlan ask sternly: "I heard from your unit's leader that you finished your studies yesterday. Why did you only come back now? Where did you go?"

Looking at her mother's stern gaze, Gu Xixi felt very uncomfortable. She lifted her head and said firmly: "I was with Cheng Jemin today. Ask me anything else you want to know!"

After saying that, Gu Xixi took her bag and went back to her room. Zuo Xinlan looked at the closed door, trembling with anger, and couldn't help but complain to her husband: "You see, what has she become now, Old Gu, this is all your fault!"

Gu Chaohui frowned. He didn't want to argue with Zuo Xinlan about his daughter's affairs. He took a sip of water and said softly: "Xixi's temper is like yours. The tighter you push, the worse it might get. Cheng Jemin has already gone to the countryside, so he will have fewer opportunities to meet Xixi. This kind of thing is better handled with a gentle approach. You can introduce her to some excellent young men, and she will gradually get better."

Zuo Xinlan nodded: "I'll call Aunt Tu and invite their family for dinner tomorrow. Their son, Zhiming, graduated from Beiqing University and is almost a deputy director. I don't believe he can't compete with a poor boy from the countryside."

"Alright, you decide the restaurant, and I'll join tomorrow." Gu Chaohui said, then picked up a newspaper and quietly read it.

Zuo Xinlan, seeing that Gu Chaohui was no longer speaking, lowered her head and thought about something. The room fell into silence.

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