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Chapter 1072 "Begonia" and "Joyful Gathering"

In the evening, Suning came to Wang's house with his girlfriend Betty, carrying gifts, and Betty's face was full of smiles like a happy young wife.

But the current life is indeed something that Betty could never have imagined before. After all, he has wasted ten years in Hong Kong, and his so-called youth has passed away forever like flowing water.

When Suning and Betty arrived at the Wang family's house, Wang Mingzhu's mother's eyes immediately lit up and she took Betty's hand, "Oh! You are Suning's girlfriend Betty, right?"

Betty was naturally a little overwhelmed by Wang Mingzhu's mother's enthusiasm, but her heart was filled with sweetness and happiness. "Auntie, hello! I'm Betty."

Wang Mingzhu's mother, who was greeting Suning and Betty, suddenly asked in surprise, "Come in! Come in! Judging from your accent, you are also a Shanghai native?"

"Yes! Auntie, I went to Hong Kong in 1977 or 1978."

Then Wang's mother blurted out the question she had been wondering about for a long time, "That's great! Every time I talk to Suning, I have to speak Mandarin. Mingzhu and I feel so awkward."

"Huh?" At this moment, Suning on the side suddenly felt offended. This kind of arrogance unique to Shanghai people is really incomprehensible.

Of course, Zhoutou also noticed Su Ning's embarrassment at this time, and then shook his head helplessly, and quickly called Su Ning to his study, "Suning, come to my office, I have something to ask you."

"Okay, Master."

Suning naturally couldn't stand this kind of chattering among women, especially these arrogant and rude Shanghai women. It was really a torture worse than death.

After arriving at the study and sitting down, Zhou Xingtou smiled bitterly and shook his head, "Suning, women here in Shanghai are just like that. They talk non-stop."

Suning naturally detests this aspect of Shanghai women. "It's really unacceptable. I feel like my head is about to explode."

"Your girlfriend is also from Shanghai. I think you're going to have a hard time in the future."

"Not really! I chose Betty because she's more artistic and doesn't shout like the average Shanghai woman."

"Hmph! Don't be too happy too soon. Women are completely different before and after marriage. One day you will experience this feeling yourself."

However, Su Ning asked back with a look of disapproval, "Master, what if I never get married? Will my girlfriend always be lovely?"

Seeing Su Ning's serious expression, Zhou Xingtou couldn't help but widen his eyes in shock. "Huh? Are you serious?"

"Yes! I have never thought about getting married. I feel that marriage is the grave of freedom."

“Too extreme.”

"..." Suning did not explain anything to Zhou Litou. Anyway, there was no woman in the original drama of "Fanhua" that Suning liked.

Zhou Jietou naturally couldn't understand Suning's attitude towards marriage, so he started asking about knitting equipment. "Oh, right! I heard from Mingzhu that you can get advanced knitting machinery?"

"Yes! Although most of these devices are second-hand, their quality and advancement are absolutely guaranteed, and they also come with the same warranty period as original Japanese equipment."

However, Zhou Ketou had already roughly guessed some of the situation. "Suning, I think the source issue might be a problem?"

"That's right! I can't declare the origin of this batch of equipment, so I don't know if it can enter the domestic market?"

"I thought so! There are so many manufacturers waiting in the lobby on the first floor of Delin Apartments, but you've been sitting back and doing nothing lately. It turns out you're still unsure whether you can enter the domestic market."

"Hehe, of course I also want to whet their appetite, otherwise they won't be able to face reality and give in."

"In fact, foreign exchange is needed everywhere to purchase advanced equipment. If there really is advanced equipment that does not require foreign exchange, it should not be a big problem. We can first develop some advanced equipment to test the waters."

"That's great! The first batch of equipment will arrive soon. I was worried that the problem was too big to solve."

"You, you! You're really too bold. Also, I heard you have a large investment in Yellow River Road?"

"I opened two high-end restaurants on Huanghe Road. After all, there are many people coming to Shanghai every day to explore opportunities. There must be many high-quality projects there. Having my own venue will also be much more convenient."

"Hey! Just keep this in mind. There's a limit to what I can do for you. Leave the foreign trade company to me. When the equipment arrives at the port, let me know. I'll help the foreign trade company find a dedicated warehouse."

"Thank you, master."

Having said that, Zhou Motou stood up and invited Su Ning to dinner. "Let's go! Your wife should have already prepared dinner. She prepared a lot of dishes especially for you today."

The Wang family's family dinner that night was naturally very lively. Ever since Zhou Qitou accepted Su Ning as his apprentice, the living conditions of their Wang family have become better and better.

……

Zhou Litou's energy is indeed incomparable to that of ordinary people. He quickly found a way to deal with the problem of the source of the equipment. After all, he is very familiar with the operating rules of the Foreign Trade Corporation.

After resolving the most important issues of equipment sources and procedures, Suning boldly started dealing with those knitting manufacturers. As long as it had "Perilla Clothing" orders in hand, it was not afraid that these manufacturers would refuse to comply.

In the large office on the fourth floor of Delin Apartment, Suning looked at the candidate manufacturers and explained directly, "Everyone, because our Zisu Clothing company has very high requirements for product quality, we will not only continue to maintain the model of processing supplied materials, but also require you to upgrade to the most advanced knitting equipment."

The knitting manufacturers in the conference room were immediately in an uproar. "What? Replace the equipment?"

"Yes! Do you all have any opinions?"

The knitting manufacturers at this moment naturally looked at each other in bewilderment. Then the director of the Twenty-First Knitting Factory looked at Su Ning with embarrassment and explained, "Boss Su, we all really want to replace our advanced equipment, but the foreign exchange application alone is enough to give us a headache. Besides, such a large investment is beyond the reach of our small factory."

"Of course, I understand the difficulties and situations you're facing. I own a foreign trade company, so the import of knitting equipment can be entrusted to us. You can also pay for the equipment in RMB, as well as the subsequent processing fees. We also have a professional and strong technical team to provide subsequent after-sales service." Sure enough, Suning's explanation excited the knitting manufacturers. "Mr. Su, can we really pay in RMB?"

Su Ning nodded nonchalantly at first, then took out the knitting equipment catalog and handed it to the manufacturers in front of him. "Of course! This is the knitting equipment catalog that our foreign trade company can provide. Everyone can take a look and see if there is any equipment you need."

Then these knitting manufacturers passed the catalog to each other, but they all showed surprised expressions at the same time, because the equipment in the catalog was almost the most advanced in the industry, especially the quotations of these equipment made them feel pleasantly surprised.

Suning naturally noticed the surprise on the manufacturers' faces. "Actually, having everyone replace their equipment with new ones is also to reduce unnecessary disputes. As far as I know, the equipment in your factories is seriously outdated, and minor accidents like broken needles often occur."

Then the director of the Twenty-First Knitting Factory asked again in confusion, "Boss Su, are the prices of the equipment in this catalogue serious?"

"Yes! The currency unit is also RMB, so the troubles you imagine won't occur."

Sure enough, after receiving repeated confirmation from Suning, the director of the Twenty-First Knitting Factory immediately pointed to the embroidery machine catalog and placed an order. "Great! Our Twenty-First Knitting Factory needs two sets of these embroidery machines. I wonder when the foreign trade company can deliver them?"

"Our foreign trade company currently has inventory in its warehouse at Shiliupu Wharf, and we can ship it to your factory at any time. I'm just wondering if your Twenty-One Knitting Factory will pay in cash or with the next processing fee?"

"Pay in cash! The processing fee for the last batch of Shiso clothing is still sitting in the factory's account."

"Okay! Then Director Qin can just go to the Legal Department on the second floor to sign the contract."

"Thank you, Mr. Su."

With the example of Director Qin of the Twenty-first Knitting Factory, things went very smoothly. Soon, several equipment sales orders were concluded, which was a good start for his foreign trade company.

Suning's bold move not only gave its foreign trade company a good start, but also ensured the quality of Zisu Clothing's future products. After all, there is no need to worry about broken needles when using new knitting equipment.

……

On the second day of the second lunar month in 1988, the Dragon Raised its Head, and on the nineteenth day of the third lunar month in 1988, Suning’s two restaurants on Huanghe Road finally opened.

With the sound of gongs and drums and the blast of firecrackers, the Yellow River Road was really bustling. You should know that these two Suning stores are located in the prime location of the Yellow River Road, which naturally attracted the attention of everyone on the Yellow River Road.

The locations of "Golden Phoenix" and "Zhizhen Garden" in the original drama have now become the high-end restaurant "Begonia", which not only provides classic cuisine from all over the world, but the most interesting thing is that the names of the private rooms are particularly interesting. They are named after 32 provinces and municipalities.

In addition to providing classic delicacies from all over the world, "Begonia" also adopts a membership club system. It costs 10,000 yuan just to apply for a membership card. Although this 10,000 yuan can be offset against subsequent dining expenses, it was still a very high threshold fee in 1988.

As for the location of "Jin Meilin" opposite, it has also become "Xilehui", which focuses on the eight major Chinese cuisines and classic delicacies. Although it does not require a rigid membership system like "Begonia", applying for a membership card still has certain discounts and priority in booking private rooms.

The manager position of "Begonia" was naturally given to Betty. I believe that she can manage the daily operations of "Begonia". Similarly, a mandatory membership system can also screen the quality of customers.

As for the "Xilehui" on the opposite side, it has given Suning a headache for a long time. After all, it is difficult to find suitable and loyal managers through public recruitment. In the end, Suning almost wanted to create an AI robot to serve as a manager for a long time.

Betty looked at the demanding man in front of her and asked helplessly, "Brother, 'Happy Place' has already opened, but you still haven't found a suitable manager?"

The AI robot Nancy is currently acting as the manager of "Happy Club". "No! Let Nancy, who is in charge of training, take over temporarily."

"How about I recommend someone for you?"

"Oh? Tell me."

"This person is a little sister of mine from Shanghai, five or six years younger than me. I heard she's now the foreman of the Garden Hotel. I feel her personality should make her suitable for the position of manager of 'Happy Club'."

"Betty, you should understand that the guests at 'Happy Club' will come from all corners of the world. Unlike 'Begonia', there is no mandatory membership system to screen quality. Ordinary people can't get such a position."

"I know! Although Nancy is capable, she's very serious and really isn't suited for a managerial position. We're just trying to save her in this situation."

"That's right! You asked her to come to the "Happy Club" for an interview tonight. I have to test her out first."

"Okay! I'll call her right away."

Naturally, many celebrities were invited to the opening of "Begonia" and "Happy Club", and there were even more customers who called to reserve their seats to show their support, so the opening day was really busy.

In order to calm down Shanghai Bund and Yellow River Road in advance, Suning did not invite any famous Hong Kong stars, but instead brought out a group of Western beauties to serve as greeters and waiters in "Begonia".

Sure enough, Suning’s bold move achieved surprisingly good results. The entire Huanghe Road and the guests who came to dine were shocked. After all, such a scene is unique in Shanghai.

"Oh my God! Jingxiu, is it really me who is dazzled?"

"Brother Chu, I feel like I'm dazzled too. The people welcoming guests at the Begonia seem to be all big, foreign horses?"

"More than that! I just saw that the waiters at 'Begonia' were also foreigners. This is the first time since Shanghai was founded!"

"Yes! In the past, it was always us Chinese who provided services to foreigners. I didn't expect that today, the situation has been reversed."

"Jingxiu, you hang out on Yellow River Road every day. Do you know who the owners of 'Qiu Hai Tang' and 'Xi Le Hui' are?"

"I don't know! Anyway, I only know that they have connections everywhere, and the "Happy Plaza" building was taken over by Xinyi Pharmaceutical Factory."

"Oh my god! This is so fucking exciting! A dragon has arrived on Yellow River Road!"

……

(End of this chapter)