Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 953 Renting?

Chen Hui said, "I think it's feasible. The key is to get it up and running and make it usable. Even if you build a fully enclosed warehouse, you still need a foundation. You can modify it later, and it won't cost much more money."

Manager Zhang said, "Alright, I won't argue with you. But, Xiaowei, make it bigger. If 30,000 square meters is enough for us, you make it 50,000. If two floors are enough for us, you make it four. Install a freight elevator, and when you convert it into a closed warehouse later, add a cold storage or a heated storage."

Chen Hui turned to Manager Zhang and asked, "What are you doing? Taking it for a taxi?"

Manager Zhang said, "Yes, it's for rent. There are more and more businesses now, and almost all warehouses are rented. Moreover, there are very few dedicated warehouses in various places now. They usually rent residential houses or empty buildings. First, it's unprofessional, and second, there are many problems. Anyway, we've already built it, right? The rent will cover the costs. The annual expenses for staff salaries, utilities, and so on in the warehouse are not insignificant."

Xiao Wei asked, "Are you confident?"

Manager Zhang smiled and said, "I'm definitely confident about that. For us, like Xiao Liu, contacting tenants is easy; as long as there's space to rent, it's not a problem. Specialty warehouses would be even more profitable, but the investment would be a bit larger. I've been in business for decades, so I have that kind of awareness."

Chen Hui asked, "Why didn't the Commerce Bureau and the Supply and Marketing Cooperative do anything about it?"

Manager Zhang said, "Who said the Commerce Bureau didn't get involved? They're doing quite a bit, though there are some minor operational issues. It's a state-owned enterprise, you know how it is. But it's profitable. Our supply and marketing cooperative also wants to get involved, but oh well, don't even mention it. We're treated like stepchildren; collecting money is our priority, but getting approval is our last priority."

Xiao Wei said, "You guys were pretty quick to build hotels and the Northern Trade City, weren't you? You even got approval for tens of millions of yuan."

Manager Zhang said, "We raised a large portion ourselves, and there's also a joint venture to keep us afloat. You've seen what the hotel looks like; it's all for the reputation of a joint venture."

Xiao Wei said, "Then you guys get back to work. I'll go to the design institute again and talk to Dean Cheng about the expansion. After that, I'll go check on Liaoning University."

Chen Hui said, "Why don't you call Andong Dalian or something? You think you can build a warehouse without land?"

Xiao Wei walked towards the car and said, "That location isn't too far off, it shouldn't be difficult to handle. I'll have the office contact us once the blueprints are ready."

Manager Zhang raised his voice and said, "Keep a close eye on things. Stay away from hydropower stations, avoid low-lying areas and riverbanks, and don't get too close to transformers or high-voltage lines."

Xiao Wei paused, thought for a moment, and said to Manager Zhang, "Why don't you write down your requirements? Once you've written them down, I'll give them directly to the municipal government below. That way, we won't have to make the trip. They can arrange the location according to the requirements, and then we can go and see it."

Manager Zhang nodded and said, "Okay, I'll get one and hand it in to the office."

Chen Hui said, "If the things in this warehouse can't fit, could you bring them downstairs to our building?"

Xiao Wei took the keys, opened the car door, and said, "Okay. Where else can we put it? The hotel can't open right now anyway, so let's just use it as a storage room."

Chen Hui said, "There's still a lot of stuff at the hotel; we have to move it all over there."

Xiao Wei said, "You can decide how to arrange it. There's enough space. If all else fails, we can put it on the second or third floor across the street. Keep an eye on the items. Take what you need over there, and get rid of what you don't think you'll need. Ask Manager Zhang to find a way to sell them directly."

Chen Hui said, "Selling them secondhand wouldn't be worth much money, so it's better to pick some out and distribute them to the employees."

Xiao Wei was suspended in mid-air when he let go and jumped back to the ground: "Can you do it? What kind of things are there?"

Chen Hui said, "Bed, luggage, bedding, blankets, mattress, thermos, carpet, table lamp, wall table—that's all the stuff a hotel has, what else could it possibly have?"

Xiao Wei said, "Why don't we pick the best ones and take them over? We'll need them for our new factory dormitories next year, won't we?"

Chen Hui said, "That's definitely going to work. Opening a hotel is a bit outdated. Private use is definitely better. We'll build a separate dormitory building and manage it like a hotel. That would be awesome."

Manager Zhang smiled and said, "That's true. After all, this is something used in a three-star hotel, so it's definitely much better than what ordinary people use at home."

Xiao Wei laughed and said to Chen Hui, "The hotel should have some new blankets in the warehouse, right? Take them out and give one to everyone above the deputy manager level. It's getting cold anyway, so they'll be able to use them."

Chen Hui said, "We have blankets, duvet covers, sheets, towels, and bath towels, but I'm not sure if we have enough. I'll go check. Do you still need the oil painting? And the table lamp too."

Xiao Wei asked, "What do you think? Can we use it?"

Chen Hui said, "I feel the style is a bit outdated, but to be honest, it would be a waste to throw it away. It's all good."

Xiao Wei forcefully got into the car, closed the door, and said, "Then just leave it in the dormitory for the workers to use. It's not like we're throwing it away. Ask everyone if they need one at home and they can take it back. I'm not going to argue with you anymore, or we won't be able to take it. Let's talk tonight. Bye, Manager Zhang."

He waved goodbye, stepped on the gas, and went back to the design institute. The warehouse had been expanded and heightened, so the architectural plan was completely different from the original one. He had to go and explain it to them quickly, otherwise they would have done all the work for nothing. These days, blueprints are all drawn by hand, stroke by stroke, and then dried after they are finished. It's very laborious.

Drafting machines already exist abroad, but they are too expensive, and design institutes don't have them. And it's not just design institutes; most places in China don't have them these days.

Actually, by 1992, professional drawing computers and software already existed. Apple's Macintosh used a single-button mouse, and a set cost over 100,000 yuan. Printing and design used this type of machine.

Before the release of the Windows 95, Apple was the undisputed leader in both graphical interfaces and image processing, from computer configurations to operating systems and software, until the Windows 9X came along.

Computers in the domestic market at this time already had graphical user interfaces (GUIs), such as Windsu 3.0 or 3.1, and each one cost 30,000 to 40,000 yuan. They were all IBM or Commodore. However, Commodore was already failing by 1992. This personal computer company that had created countless miracles went bankrupt in 1994.

Wang An, the Chinese miracle, passed away in 92. His Wang Laboratories was divided between Microsoft and the Internet. After integrating Wang An's technology, these two companies became the world's greatest hardware and software companies, with no rivals.

The Wang Building in Boston, once the most luxurious W-shaped office building on the East Coast, became Motorola's headquarters.

Hatred and anger can cloud a person's vision, even if they are a godlike figure.

……

Xiao Wei went to the supermarket first.

Zhang Wang and his wife are both here. His sister-in-law, Tian Yu, manages their own cake shop, while Zhang Wang serves as the acting store manager of the supermarket.

It was clear that business was good; a chef, a waiter, and Tian Yu were all busy, and the aroma of cakes and cream filled the space.

The cake shop had no tables or chairs, taking up half the space. Opposite was a stationery stall, where several students were browsing, with a sales assistant accompanying them.

Seeing Xiaowei come in, Tian Yu smoothed her hair and said with a smile, "You're here, Xiaowei. What's up? Your brother's upstairs."

Xiao Wei said, "Just browsing around. How's business?"

Tian Yu said, "It's alright, it's fine. Would you like something to eat?"

Xiao Wei said, "I'm not eating. I'll go upstairs and check. You go ahead and do your work." He then went through the entrance next to the checkout counter and entered the supermarket.

(End of this chapter)