My minimum living allowance is credited to my account every day with 1000 million yuan

Chen Xiao listened quietly, her face showing no emotion.

He simply nodded slightly, his gaze fixed on the vast expanse where the sea and sky met in the distance, as if the collapse of Jincheng Sports was merely an inevitable trajectory of dust settling within this grand blueprint.

Zhang Ziqian continued her report:
"The capital market is the most direct barometer."

Zhang Ziqian's voice was steady and clear:
"Jincheng Sports' market value has increased from 280 billion RMB two months ago..."

She paused deliberately, as if to let that once-glorious number linger in the air for one more second, to accentuate the impending fall.
"It plummeted all the way down, leaving it with only... less than 120 billion yuan."

She pronounced the words "less than 120 billion" with exceptional clarity, conveying a cruel sense of an impending end.

“Moreover,” she added, her tone completely flat, as if stating an established law of nature,

"The decline continues unabated, with no signs of a rebound. The market is lifeless, with only panic selling and hardly any decent buying support."

"Jincheng Sports' market value has plummeted from 280 billion yuan two months ago to less than 120 billion yuan, and it continues to decline. It's almost become a junk stock now; there are only sellers, no buyers."

"Now, in the capital market, it's almost been relegated to the ranks of 'junk stocks.' There are only sellers, no buyers... or rather, buyers are just waiting for the moment when it goes completely to zero or is dismantled and liquidated."

The implication is that Jincheng Sports has lost its basic dignity and financing function as a listed company, becoming a wreck surrounded by capital vultures, waiting to devour its carrion.

Jincheng Sports was once incredibly powerful, with annual revenue of nearly 400 billion yuan and a peak market capitalization of around 360 billion yuan.

"But the real fatal shackle lies at the operational level."

Zhang Ziqian changed the subject:
"Cash flow is a noose that's tightening around their necks!"

"Jincheng Sports' purchasing plans for the upcoming Q1 order fairs for next year, which will be held by brands this year..."

She paused, then announced a chilling number.

"Compared to last year, we have been forced to cut costs by 30%!"

30%!

What does this mean? It means that Jincheng will lose the exclusive rights to launch many best-selling new products, that the product mix in its stores will lose its competitiveness, and that they are actively giving up future market share! This is a desperate measure, but also a helpless one!

"The situation regarding distribution channels is even more appalling."

Zhang Ziqian continued to recount this crushing defeat:
"Their annual channel plan includes closing 2500 stores throughout the year."

She uttered the number clearly, as if reading a death sentence.

"2500 stores, which is equivalent to 30% of their current total number of stores!"

She emphasized this ratio, and then, in an even colder tone, exposed the true nature of this "optimization":
"Moreover, to our knowledge, the vast majority of the 2500 stores slated for closure are not poorly managed or substandard shops..."

A sharp glint flashed in her eyes.
"On the contrary, many of them are high-quality shops located in prime business districts with a strong history of profitability, which were precisely 'poached' by Jiexun simply because of high rent or transfer fees!"

Finally, it's about people.

Zhang Ziqian's voice carried a hint of pronouncement:

"In order to alleviate the enormous operational pressure and reduce operating costs, Jincheng Group has officially announced..."

"The plan is to lay off 20% of the workforce."

20%!

This means the livelihoods of thousands of families will be directly impacted! It means the morale within the company will be completely shattered!

"They call it 'optimizing personnel structure and focusing on core business,'" Zhang Ziqian's lips curled into a faint, all-knowing, cold smile.

"But in reality, it's more like the last lament before cutting off an arm to survive, a desperate struggle to squeeze out the last bit of value and prolong death for the mutilated body."

Chen Xiao sneered, "Layoffs? Store closures? These are just ways to prolong survival. Once a company starts declining, turning things around is a hundred times harder than achieving profitability in the early stages!"

Zhang Ziqian nodded in agreement: "Yes, people's hearts are gone. It feels like the tree has fallen and the monkeys have scattered; many people are looking for new jobs."

"Are the five new stores of 【Star Palace】in Junxiao City going to open soon?"

"Yes, the Jiangzhou store will be opening soon too. This time, [Star Palace] will open two stores each in the first and second war zones. One store has opened in the third war zone."

Junxiao City is an independent system and is not under the jurisdiction of Junxiao Plaza. Zhang Ziqian answered this way so that Chen Xiao would have a clearer understanding of the geographical areas where these stores are located.

Chen Xiao nodded slightly, indicating his understanding. He pondered for a moment, then spoke with an undeniable concern:

"We'll go take a look then."

Although he didn't interfere with Zhang Shijie and others' specific management, letting them take the lead, the development of [Star Palace] was far from an ordinary business to him. It was a labor of love, a manifestation of his vision. While there were highlights in the early stages, it was still quite far from the perfect blueprint in his mind. He had an almost obsessive attention to every detail of this brand—from store location selection, space design, product display to service experience.

Zhang Ziqian was already used to Chen Xiao's special attention to [Star Palace]. Her mind raced, and she immediately offered the best option:

"Yes, the [Star Palace] store in Junxiao City, Qin Province, will officially open the day after tomorrow."

She paused, then added a crucial piece of information.
"Ji-eun has already confirmed that she will attend the opening ceremony and perform to promote it. Or else..."

She looked at Chen Xiao's profile.

"Shall we fly there tomorrow? The timing will be perfect."

"Okay, you can arrange it."

Chen Xiao withdrew his gaze from the distance and landed on Zhang Ziqian's capable and refined face, nodding in agreement. He had absolute trust in Zhang Ziqian's ability to arrange schedules.

Zhang Ziqian agreed, but then her gaze unconsciously drifted towards the stern of the boat—where Li Zhi'en, He Qing, Zhao Xiangjun, and the other women were chatting happily in the sunlight. She turned back, her voice suddenly lowering slightly, tinged with a barely perceptible hesitation and shyness, and whispered in Chen Xiao's ear, in a voice only the two of them could hear: "Boss… this time when we go to Qin Province, are you… are you taking any of the ladies with you?"

"Ok?"

Chen Xiao was slightly taken aback, not immediately realizing the meaning behind Zhang Ziqian's somewhat abrupt question. He looked at her with a hint of doubt.

"Zhi'en, one person can't serve you all by themselves, can they?" Zhang Ziqian's cheeks instantly flushed red, like the sunset glow falling on her fair face. Between her and him, apart from that final step, they had already been completely honest with each other, going to great lengths together—this private topic didn't seem to need to be so awkward.

Upon hearing this, Chen Xiao was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly realized what was going on!

So that's what I was asking all along!
He couldn't help but chuckle, his chest heaving as he let out a low, pleasant laugh. Looking at Zhang Ziqian's pretty face, flushed yet trying to appear composed, he was suddenly seized by a playful impulse. Lowering his voice, he leaned close to her ear, his hot breath brushing against her sensitive earlobe:

"how?"

He deliberately drew out his words, his gaze fixed intently on her flushed cheeks.

"When she can no longer serve..."

He paused, a wicked smile curving his lips.

"Could it be... that you, Secretary Zhang, can't personally step in and 'fill in' the gap?"

boom--!
Zhang Ziqian felt a surge of heat rush to her head!

Chen Xiao's blatant teasing was like a spark that ignited a wildfire, instantly stirring up her shyness and indescribable excitement!

She instinctively gripped the hem of her shirt tightly with both hands, her knuckles turning slightly white from the force. Her head was lowered, her gaze frantically falling on the smooth tips of her shoes, her heart pounding wildly in her chest like a drum!
The coolness of the sea breeze couldn't dispel the burning heat on my face.

She was like a startled rabbit, with nowhere to escape, and could only let the embarrassing blush spread from her cheeks to her ears and neck.

After a long pause, under Chen Xiao's intensely focused gaze, tinged with a mischievous smile, she murmured in a voice that barely audible to herself, trembling slightly:
"I...I can..."

These three words exhausted all her courage at that moment, yet like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, they created silent ripples in the ambiguous atmosphere between the two.

Qin Province, Junxiao City.

Inside the bright and spacious general manager's office, huge floor-to-ceiling windows offer a panoramic view of the bustling city skyline. The room is filled with the subtle fragrance of fine sandalwood, which complements the sophisticated sheen of top-quality mahogany office furniture.

General Manager Ye, a young and energetic business elite with a good reputation in the industry, was personally serving tea to two important guests with a polite professional smile.

With practiced ease and a humble yet dignified demeanor, he pushed two celadon teacups towards the middle-aged man and woman opposite him.
"Mr. Huang, please have some tea..."

"Mr. Meng, please have some tea..."

This morning, Vice President Huang called personally, just to give me one instruction:

We must attach great importance to the upcoming visit of Huang Ju, General Manager of the Qin Province Branch of [Jiexun Sports]!
To what extent should we attach importance to it?
As long as it's not a matter of principle or an extremely difficult request, you can agree to it!
If there are important matters on the project that General Manager Ye has no authority to make, there is no need to go through procedures or report to layers of management. He can directly call his Vice President Huang and get special approval from him!
My goodness!
Mr. Ye gasped inwardly, a fine layer of cold sweat seeping down his back!

What is Vice President Huang's position? He's incredibly busy! One of the true decision-makers in Jun Xiaocheng!

He personally paved the way for the visit of a provincial branch manager, even going so far as to use his "special approval" authority. What level of favor and VIP status does that represent?!

Mr. Ye's gaze involuntarily drifted to the list of visitors to [Jiexun Sports] that had just been printed on the table.

At the very top of the list, it was clearly written:

Visitor: Huang Ju
Position: Vice President and General Manager of Qin Province Branch of Jiexun Sports

Huang Ju? Mr. Huang?
President Ye stared at that name, his eyes becoming incredibly complex, filled with inquiry and suspicion.

They all have the surname Huang?!

This coincidence lingered in his mind like a curse!
Countless possibilities flashed through his mind in an instant:

Could she be Vice President Huang's niece? His younger sister? Or... some important descendant from Vice President Huang's family?

Otherwise, how could the incredibly busy Vice President Huang have made such an exception for him?! He personally called to pave the way for a provincial manager, even granting him a direct "special approval" channel?!
Mr. Ye glanced at the two waiting guests opposite him, his face regaining its professional smile, but a hint of indescribable caution and… a subtle, almost imperceptible, fawning glint appeared in his eyes. He decided that, no matter what, he must receive the arriving Mr. Huang Ju with the highest level of hospitality and the most attentive manner!
He put down the teapot and asked with a friendly smile:
"President Huang, President Meng, is there any specific instruction that Junxiaocheng needs to cooperate with, given your busy schedules?"

His tone was warm and his attitude was very humble.

Huang Ju is the newly appointed general manager of the Qin Province branch of [Jiexun Sports]. Huang Ju's starting point was not high; he was initially just an ordinary operations manager for [Jiexun Sports] in Ningxi Province, working his way up through the mundane tasks of regional stores.

Her fate took a turn when a special arrangement was made by Luffy, the founder and president of [Jiexun Sports].

Because she was Ma Jian's first love.

Who is Ma Jian? He's Chen Xiao's best buddy. He's Luffy's loyal boss!

Taking advantage of this relationship, Luffy issued a transfer order, moving Huang Ju from Ningxi to Jiangzhou, where the headquarters is located, and promoting him to deputy general manager of the Jiangzhou branch! This leap was beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Now, Jiexun Sports is rapidly establishing branches across the country, and they took this opportunity to transfer her to Qin Province.

This arrangement serves two purposes. Firstly, it's to provide a good arrangement for the eldest brother, Ma Jian, to his first love. Jiexun Sports is currently developing rapidly, especially after negotiating numerous top-tier NK and AD stores in Junxiao City recently, which has greatly boosted its reputation.

Furthermore, with [Jiexun Sports] constantly eroding the market share of [Jincheng Sports], many people initially couldn't understand how [Jiexun Sports], originally a provincial-level distributor, could manage to "swallow an elephant" from [Jincheng Sports], which had annual revenue of tens of billions. However, everyone was amazed by [Jiexun Sports]'s impressive track record.

However, when Jiexun Sports created one business miracle after another, and when it forced the industry giant Jincheng Sports to the brink of cash flow depletion and large-scale store closures and layoffs, even the most oblivious person was shocked!

Some powerful, well-informed top-tier companies or well-connected capital firms began to pick up on that chilling rumor:
Rumor has it that... behind [Jiexun Sports] stands the unfathomable boss of Junxiao Group! Luffy is the executor of his will!
Junxiao Group is a behemoth controlling trillions of assets. If it's truly involved, then it wouldn't be surprising if [Jiexun Sports] did something outrageous! These companies have all been instructed to avoid its sharp edge and maintain a good relationship with [Jiexun Sports].

Although only a very few people with access to core information can confirm this, the rumor itself is enough to send chills down the spines of all relevant parties! (End of Chapter)