On Monday, at Qianbai Company, newly appointed Vice President Shi Fan attended a video conference with a headache.
"It's been so many days? How come you haven't even rented a few warehouses? How many cities can that cover? If your warehouses aren't ready, how can Feitong coordinate logistics with you?"
"Shi Fan, we promoted you because you have good capabilities and can develop self-operated projects faster. How can you let us down?"
"Taoxun's self-operated market share is growing larger and larger. If this continues, once consumers form consumption habits, it will be even harder for us to seize the market!"
"It's just for you to learn from Taoxun's approach, is it that difficult?"
...
Facing the investors' questioning, Shi Fan said with some dissatisfaction, "Can you listen to me first?!"
The investors were slightly stunned and became somewhat bewildered. Compared to Yao Hongbo's steadiness, this young man was very temperamental!
"Firstly, warehouses are difficult to rent because they are expensive! The prices are in the materials I sent you. With Qianbai's budget, renting this many warehouses is already quite good!
Also, you want me to learn from Taoxun. Is Taoxun successful only because it has many warehouses?! It's not just about the number of warehouses; it also delivers quickly! It delivers to your doorstep! Returns are convenient!
Can Feitong do these things?! Don't say Feitong can do it too. Feitong often makes mistakes even in delivering within the promised five days! Look at how many complaints there are online. What can Feitong use to compete with Taoxun in terms of speed?
Since you have already appointed me as Vice President, please delegate completely and do not interfere too much! Let me be blunt, esteemed directors, you either give me enough money, or you replace me and find someone else!"
The investors: ...
Young people nowadays are indeed... quite individualistic!
Although Shi Fan's words were unpleasant to hear, they indeed pointed out the problems Qianbai was currently facing. However, are all young people this arrogant? It's truly annoying!
"I actually think Shi Fan is right," Zhan Li said, speaking first after a moment of silence. "After all, we invest in Qianbai to make money, not to throw it away, right?"
"Ah, yes, yes, yes..."
With Zhan Li giving them a way out, the other investors followed suit. Although they were displeased with Shi Fan's attitude, they had already changed leadership once. If they replaced Shi Fan again, the morale would be greatly affected.
After a long discussion, the investors reached an agreement. They could delegate power and provide additional investment. They would also require their partner, Feitong, to speed up its delivery. However, Shi Fan had to quickly establish the self-operated platform following Taoxun's model.
The video conference ended. Inside the Zhan Group building, Zhan Li summoned Zhan Ruofeng to his office.
Zhan Li pondered for a moment and said, "Mr. Ye from Taoxun seems quite close to your sister. Their private relationship appears to be very intimate. What do you think of her?"
Zhan Ruofeng: ...
Dad, please don't sound like you're asking about a potential son-in-law!
"Her capabilities are evident to all," Zhan Ruofeng mused. "Dad, my sister's company is also doing well with her help. Their level of cooperation is likely deeper than we think."
Zhan Li chuckled. "She is indeed capable. However, your sister's little ventures are not on a grand scale. Don't use her as an example."
Zhan Ruofeng wanted to speak but stopped. He had actually told Zhan Li that Zhan Ruoqing's company rented three entire floors and was operating impressively, but Zhan Li just laughed, saying it was just her liking for liveliness and didn't take it seriously.
Zhan Li continued, "However, since they are good friends, ask your sister to act as a connector. You should also find a way to develop a relationship with Mr. Ye..."
Zhan Ruofeng: ...
Is this trying to package them both as defectors? Of course, he couldn't say it so directly.
Zhan Ruofeng asked, "Dad, are you considering switching allegiance to Taoxun?"
"As you've seen," Zhan Li said, rubbing his temples. "Those guys are all calculating their own interests, and they all love to interfere! If these people hadn't invested so much money in Qianbai, withdrawing now would be a complete loss, and they would have already run away!
They favor Feitong now simply because Feitong is the leader in the express delivery industry, and they want to recoup their money through Feitong, so they are forcing Qianbai to bleed for Feitong. As for Qianbai, if it can be revived, it will be revived. If not, they plan to cash out on the stock market later! I'm well aware of their little schemes.
This time it's because Shi Fan's attitude was firm, but what about next time? Online shopping is the fundamental market, yet they don't think about expanding and strengthening. They only think about how to make money quickly. What future can there be working with these short-sighted people?!"
Zhan Ruofeng deeply agreed. However, things weren't as exaggerated as Zhan Li described. The investors still had expectations for Qianbai, which is why they were increasing their investment.
He frowned, "But our interests are too deeply intertwined with the Su and Li families. Abruptly withdrawing investment might provoke their dissatisfaction and affect our other collaborations."
"Of course, we can't withdraw directly. But we can use your sister's company as a shield and stop further investment. Besides, I'm just asking you to get to know Ye Zhi. She is your sister's friend, and you are both young people. It's normal to have some private acquaintance, isn't it? Then we can see if Taoxun needs investment and lend a hand, which would be only right!"
"But," Zhan Ruofeng hesitated, "my sister and I are still arguing..."
"Go apologize to your sister!" Zhan Li's face darkened. "You're so old, and you're still holding grudges against your sister?!"
Zhan Ruofeng: ...
Fine, fine. A true man can bend and stretch. He wouldn't argue with his sister.
*
In the evening, Ye Zhi was lying on a massage chair. Just as she put on a facial mask, her phone rang.
She pressed the answer button, answering the call while applying the mask.
She couldn't help but sigh, thinking how much more comfortable it would be if a little cat were on her lap, allowing her to pet it.
"Ye Zhi! I think my brother has a crush on you!"
As soon as the phone was connected, Zhan Ruoqing's furious voice came through the receiver.
Ye Zhi blinked in surprise. "Your brother is... Zhan Ruofeng? We've never met. How could he possibly have a crush on me?"
"Exactly! I told him the same thing! I think he must have seen how successful your business is now and wants to swallow your company using this method! So, you must be careful not to fall into his trap!" Zhan Ruoqing said confidently.
Ye Zhi: ...
What is all this nonsense? If Zhan Ruofeng heard this, he'd probably explode with anger.
Although she didn't know what had happened, she felt that Zhan Ruoqing was definitely misunderstanding.
"Ruoqing, don't rush. Tell me slowly, what exactly happened."