Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 898 It Feels Like I'm Working for You

Director Xu asked, "Can I do the same for my entire commercial street? Is it costly? You have to give me some guidance. I've already submitted my report, and I think the chances of it being approved are very high. The principal came to see your place the other day and seemed very satisfied."

Xiao Wei said, "All you need to do is repair the walls, unify the storefronts and signs, and turn the road into a pedestrian street, prohibiting motor vehicles. You can pave the road with blue bricks or something else. Put up some benches, plant some flowers, trees, and shrubs. It won't cost much."

Director Xu pointed to the exterior curtain wall that was being installed: "What if we beautified the entire wall like this?"

Xiao Wei said, "This will cost some money. I had a design institute design it, then I made the mold and processed it myself, plus the installation. If you're sure you want to do it, I can help you ask around."

Director Xu thought for a moment and said, "Let's ask. I feel that since this is a school, if we repair the walls of the commercial street and add some cultural and historical educational designs, it will definitely look better."

Xiao Wei nodded.

"Xiao Wei, you opened a shop here?" Xiao Wei turned his head and saw Han San walking over with a smile, his belly noticeably bigger than before. "What have you been busy with lately? It's been a long time since you've been to my place."

Xiao Wei said, "Just busy doing nothing. You personally run around with such a small amount of equipment? You really love to move around."

Han San took out cigarettes and offered one to Xiao Wei and Section Chief Xu, saying, "Why are you moving around? This is your shop, so I had to come and show my appreciation. I figured you'd be here."

Xiao Wei said, "You know I acquired another fifteen acres of land next to the factory? The food factory is expanding, so find some time to meet with Brother Xiaolong and finalize things in advance. This is Director Xu from the Liaoning University Commercial Management Office. Director Xu, this is Boss Han from the food equipment sales department."

Director Xu nodded to Han San as a greeting, then looked at Han San's delivery truck and asked, "What kind of equipment is it? Does it consume a lot of electricity?"

Han San said, "It will definitely use more electricity than your usual things. But you don't need to worry about his electricity business. The electricity company's truck is right behind me and will be there soon. If there are any problems with electricity at your school, tell us now and Xiao Wei will take care of it for you."

Director Xu said, "Really? There really is one. The transformer here in the commercial street is old and keeps tripping. Can you help fix it? These people in the power industry are not easy to talk to. They come with good cigarettes and wine, but they may not actually do anything."

Xiao Wei chuckled and said, "I'll ask around for you in a bit. There shouldn't be any problems."

Speak of the devil, and he appears; the electric vehicle company's shared bikes followed Chen Hui's Cadillac.

Han San said, "I saw you coming this way before I arrived, how come you're slower than me?" He handed over a cigarette.

Chen Hui took the cigarette and said, "They forgot something, so they went back to get it."

Xiao Wei then introduced Chen Hui and Director Xu, and the two shook hands.

Director Xu was familiar with the people from the power company. Managing such a large commercial street meant dealing with electricity issues every day. He thought that since Xiao Wei had invited someone over, he would treat him with the same kindness and hospitality as Xiao Wei. However, Chen Hui ignored him completely after getting out of the car, and Xiao Wei acted as if he didn't even see him.

The electricians got off the bus, carrying their equipment. The squad leader gestured and said a few words, and everyone got to work. Some went inside to inspect, some checked the power lines outside, and some asked Han San's people about equipment information. There was no need for much conversation.

While talking to Xiao Wei and Chen Hui, Director Xu glanced at the people from the power company, utterly puzzled. He thought, "Maybe they've been fed up. These guys aren't easy to please. If they're not fed, they won't be so easy to talk to. Waiting for them to work voluntarily? Hmph."

Han San asked Xiao Wei, "You run a cake shop here, what do you do inside?"

Xiao Wei said, "Let's try the self-service supermarket and see if it works. It's similar to the one at Sanhao."

Han San said, "A self-service supermarket? Is that even possible? What do they sell? I saw that one over there, and business doesn't seem very good. It's deserted, and the drinks and imported goods are quite expensive."

At this time, self-service supermarkets were a foreign concept, and people in mainland China didn't know how to open them. Many state-owned supermarkets were setting up small areas inside to test the waters, not knowing what to sell. They just felt that it should be high-end, so they mostly sold things that were not commonly seen in daily life.

The most down-to-earth place was Beijing, where they sold vegetables, but the prices weren't well controlled and were a dollar higher than farmers' markets. Although they had been cleaned and tidied up, they never really took off. Then there were places in eastern Guangdong and Fujian, where they sold daily necessities, but the scale was very small, still in the form of small shops, more like the neighborhood convenience stores of later generations.

Later, when foreign supermarkets came in, everyone realized, "Oh, that's how this thing works."

Xiao Wei said, "Sister Liu and the others are handling the daily necessities and food, but I don't know the specifics."

Han asked three questions: "Is the investment large?"

Xiao Wei said, "Rent, utilities, labor, shelving, equipment—that's all. We haven't opened yet, so we don't have the data. Let's see how it goes."

Chen Hui said, "Third Brother, our ten floors are still empty, don't you have any sense of that?"

Han San was a little embarrassed and said, "This was my fault, I apologize. I'll treat you to drinks another day. I was too naive at the time, and with your sister-in-law's objections, it was really my fault. I've been looking for opportunities to contact people and see if I can find someone to invest."

Xiao Wei said, "It's okay, we were planning to set up a hotel anyway, so we might as well do it together."

Han San was taken aback: "You guys are opening another hotel? Where?"

Xiao Wei said, "Xidu Ice City has this requirement. Later, Xiao Hui and I discussed it and decided that we could handle it in Andong and Dalian as well, including Fengtian. We also got a piece of land in Zhongjie and will start construction next spring."

Han San asked, "Is anyone here? That kind of thing requires professionals; there's a lot to it."

Chen Hui said, "We bought the roses, and we're checking the accounts these past few days. Once the accounts are clear and things are understood, we'll start making changes. If all else fails, my mom said she'll find some professionals from Hong Kong."

Han San asked, "Where did the equipment come from?"

Xiao Wei laughed and said, "You're always looking for a way to get involved, even with heating equipment!"

Han San said, "I do manufacture kitchen equipment, right? And the heating system isn't a complete system either. I'll get you some good, practical stuff at factory prices, on the side."

Chen Hui said, "The food factory is expanding next year, cake shops are opening one after another, and now they're eyeing hotels. I feel like we're actually working for you now."

(End of this chapter)