Liu Haoran was in a great mood. As soon as he got in the car, he said happily, "I never thought we’d get into Ganglong International. This might be a first in the entire country!"
Fang Qiang immediately started sucking up. "President Liu, you’re amazing! Once this store opens, you’ll be famous at headquarters. A promotion is just around the corner!"
Liu Haoran felt a bit awkward. After all, this was thanks to his connection to the big boss’s boyfriend, not his own skill. Besides, the person who knew the whole story was sitting right up front.
But even though Fang Qiang didn’t get along well with his colleagues, he was completely loyal to him. Liu Haoran usually wouldn’t embarrass him, so he could only offer a few humble words. "Not at all, not at all! It’s all because the company is strong!"
Fang Qiang, oblivious, shot a provocative glance at Zhao Hui, as if to say, ’See? Look how well President Liu and I work together!’
Zhao Hui was no match for him in that department. Although he could be quite adaptable himself, his ass-kissing skills were several levels below Fang Qiang’s.
Once inside Ganglong International, Fang Qiang felt a little insecure. He had once tried to get a meeting with the floor manager here, only to be rejected.
The manager had told him directly, "Yi Rui is not a brand that matches Ganglong."
To this day, he still remembered how his face had burned with humiliation at the manager’s arrogant refusal.
As luck would have it, Liu Haoran and his group ran into an acquaintance right after entering Ganglong.
Peng Yu was accompanying a stylish and handsome young man on a tour of Ganglong International.
The two groups met head-on. Liu Haoran, ever polite, greeted him, "President Peng!"
Peng Yu saw them too. When he noticed Zhao Hui watching him coldly from the side, he gave a sinister smile and said, "Well, well. President Liu’s team is certainly full of outstanding talent!"
"Let me introduce you. This is President Xia of Four Seasons Clothing! Three of the brands President Xia represents have stores in Ganglong, and he also works in close cooperation with us!"
"President Xia, this is President Liu of Yino. The Yi Rui brand we were just discussing is managed by them. Their store does the best business in the entire province!"
"Oh, what a coincidence! A pleasure to meet you, President Liu. My name is Xia Bin!"
Liu Haoran shook his hand, and after a few pleasantries, they went their separate ways.
Four Seasons Clothing was the largest distribution company in Hanjiang Province. It represented over a dozen mid-to-high-end men’s and women’s clothing brands, with annual sales exceeding one billion yuan. They were extremely influential in the Han River area and were frequent visitors to the offices of every major mall’s general manager.
The rumor was that the second generation was beginning to take over the family business, which would make this Xia Bin the young boss of Four Seasons Clothing. He had apparently studied abroad in Paris, the fashion capital of the world.
Even though Liu Haoran also managed a 500-million-yuan business, he was just an employee, and the brand he managed had limited influence.
Xia Bin, on the other hand, was running his own family’s business. With over a dozen major brands, his multi-channel strategy gave him a synergistic advantage, which put him in a much stronger negotiating position with the malls.
This was also why Peng Yu was personally accompanying him on his tour. Peng Yu wanted to convince Four Seasons Clothing to support Wansheng Square by bringing more of their brands to its various locations.
At the same time, Peng Yu’s subtle hints made it clear that he and Xia Bin were also eyeing the Yi Rui store in Jiangzhou Wansheng Square.
He walked on, a cold smile playing on his lips. ’Peng Yu probably has no idea that a storm is about to break.’
’As for Xia Bin wanting Yi Rui’s spot? He can dream on. Once President Chen acquires Jiangzhou Wansheng Square, will anyone’s position be more secure than Yi Rui’s?’
Fang Qiang, trailing behind, whispered to Zhao Hui, "Xiao Zhao, it looks like we’re going to lose our Jiangzhou Wansheng Store. President Liu moved heaven and earth to get us in there in the first place!"
Zhao Hui replied, "It’s fine, President Fang. We won’t lose the store."
Fang Qiang laughed. "Well, aren’t you confident! You have no idea what a huge mess we’re in this time. Just wait and see how this plays out."
Upon entering Ganglong International’s office area, the receptionist confirmed who they were and that they had an appointment with Mr. Huang, then led them to his office.
Huang Guangyuan was not yet fifty, but because he took such good care of himself, he looked to be around forty.
He stood up, walked over to shake hands with Liu Haoran and the others, then invited them to sit. He then instructed his assistant to summon the Vice President of Leasing and the floor manager.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, it became clear that Huang Guangyuan was an exceptionally articulate man with immense leadership charisma. Liu Haoran was normally quite impressive himself, but compared to a man like this, the gap between them was still vast.
This was understandable. At Liu Haoran’s level, even the VP of Leasing at Ganglong International might not have granted him a meeting. He and Huang Guangyuan simply weren’t in the same league.
Before long, the VP of Leasing and the floor manager arrived.
Fang Qiang watched as the two men entered, acting with the utmost respect. He gave them a polite nod, and then they each grabbed a chair and sat behind the main group to observe.
He truly felt as if he were in a dream. Never mind the vice president; the manager sitting bolt upright in the back, nervously taking notes and stuttering when he spoke, was the very same person who had previously refused to even give him an appointment.
And now, here he was, being treated as a guest of honor by their big boss, while they were relegated to taking notes in the back.
Huang Guangyuan was an extremely busy man who had to receive countless clients a day, each of whom might only get five minutes of his time at most.
Yet today, he had spent a full ten minutes just making small talk with Liu Haoran. The vice president and manager in the back both understood that in their boss’s eyes, this President Liu was definitely someone special.
Finally, Huang Guangyuan said, "President Liu, regarding the placement of your brand, please have someone coordinate with Xiao Zhang to get things finalized as soon as possible. That way, I’ll have something to report back to President Chen."
He said this with a polite smile, but Liu Haoran could sense the reverence in his tone when he mentioned President Chen. He couldn’t help but wonder how Chen Xiao held so much influence over the general manager of Ganglong International. This wasn’t something that could be achieved with money alone.
Liu Haoran had Fang Qiang and Zhao Hui exchange contact information with the vice president and the manager, respectively.
As they were leaving, Huang Guangyuan insisted on personally seeing them out, which made the vice president and manager’s jaws drop. This was a courtesy previously reserved only for national director-level executives from top-tier luxury brands.
What had the general manager of a minor brand done to deserve such treatment? But whatever their guesses, they began to feel a sense of awe and respect for Liu Haoran and his team.
Huang Guangyuan walked ahead with Liu Haoran and joked, "The young men on your team are quite capable!"
Liu Haoran felt immense respect and gratitude toward Huang Guangyuan. After all, for him to show such great deference was a huge deal; the man’s status was far higher than even Peng Yu’s. He was the number one figure in Jiangzhou’s entire retail scene!
He said quietly, "Mr. Huang, about that Zhao Hui... President Chen calls him Brother Hui."
Huang Guangyuan’s expression froze for a moment. He glanced over at Zhao Hui, then said to Liu Haoran, "If it’s convenient, could I add his contact information?"
Of course, Liu Haoran couldn’t let Mr. Huang be the one to approach Zhao Hui—that would be far too much. He beckoned Zhao Hui over. "Ah Hui, come add Mr. Huang’s contact information!"
Huang Guangyuan actually took out his phone and let him scan the QR code.
The vice president, the manager, and Fang Qiang were all in disbelief. Mr. Huang rarely added anyone’s contact information!
Fang Qiang stepped forward with a wide grin and said, "Could I add you too?"
Mr. Huang remained silent. Liu Haoran took the hint and said, "Let’s not have everyone bothering Mr. Huang. It’s enough that Ah Hui has added him."