Old Huang thought his meeting with Zhu Suizhou was secret. With everyone busy, he assumed no one would notice his brief absence. Sneaking away and returning quickly, he believed he was completely undetected.

However, he failed to consider – would Xia Xiaolan be the type of boss to let employees collect salaries without doing their work.

Old Huang felt marginalized, thinking his lighter workload today meant he could slack off. However, during his unauthorized absence, he failed to handle three complaints that came in.

“Where were you?”

“I had an upset stomach from something I ate yesterday, and had to run to the bathroom! Ah, I’m getting complaints even for that?”

Old Huang was deeply frustrated.

But these weren’t customer complaints.

Asia Department Store had just opened today, and customers were still finding their bearings, not even aware they had the right to complain about staff.

The service level in Asia amazed them – the enthusiasm was almost uncomfortable for some customers. With such service, what was there to complain about? They should count their blessings, especially when comparing them to the arrogant salespeople at state-owned stores. Asia’s service was beyond description!

Old Huang, the former general manager’s ‘loyal subject’, was reported by his colleagues.

This was Xia Xiaolan’s rule – whoever is on duty must handle emergencies. Leaving without notice showed such a casual attitude that Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t tolerate.

Each person must handle their assigned responsibilities.

No one should make their colleagues take the blame.

These “complaints” were simply records – three people couldn’t find Old Huang when they needed him, delaying their own work, so naturally they reported it to their superior.

Their superior wasn’t Xia Xiaolan – someone else managed these minor issues.

Old Huang’s stomach ache excuse garnered no sympathy. This had been covered in pre-opening training – no matter how urgent the matter, leaving one’s post required notification and someone to cover.

Feeling guilty, Old Huang remained distracted for the rest of the day.

His show of loyalty to Zhu Suizhou was only thirty percent genuine!

He was uncomfortable without power.

If Xia Xiaolan mismanaged Asia, he thought his experience would let him step in and take control.

But Old Huang was destined for disappointment.

Despite the busy opening day, Asia Department Store had no major emergencies.

The young Manager Xia seemed to have arranged everyone’s duties clearly, with only minor issues arising… and the first day’s business was extraordinary.

Old Huang brooded:

“With so much money spent on singers, of course, business is good. Who knows how many customers will remain after these three days? All these promotion costs – who knows how long it’ll take to recover…”

This was classic overthinking. Asia was privately owned – any losses would affect the shareholders, not public funds. If the shareholders weren’t worried, why should Old Huang care?

Unlike him, employees truly dedicated to the store weren’t thinking negatively or wishing ill on Asia.

Though everyone was tired, they walked with straight backs and energetic steps!

Because Asia’s business today is truly exceptional!

The store counters were nearly emptied, with citizens buying everything in sight. Popular items were quickly restocked from the warehouse only to be sold out again.

This kind of busyness was motivating.

Xia Xiaolan didn’t lease to other businesses – she made Asia self-operated.

In her previous life, Asia was also self-operated.

However, in that life, Asia self-operated because few responded to their merchant recruitment, so Zhu Suizhou simply ran it themselves.

Knowing self-operation could work, Xia Xiaolan skipped the roundabout path and went straight to self-operation!

This meant the more goods sold, the more Asia earned.

Whether selling leather goods, clothing, or bicycles, Xia Xiaolan gave sales staff performance bonuses – better performance meant higher bonuses. Nothing wrong with that, and though tired, they hoped for even better business!

Those like Old Huang who harbored resentment and wanted to cause trouble were the minority. Most employees simply wanted better business for their boss so they could earn more, rather than fantasizing about their boss’s misfortune and their chance to give direction.

At 10 PM, Asia closed on schedule.

Many citizens still didn’t want to leave but were politely asked to go.

Xia Xiaolan, the owner, also stayed at the store.

She was exhausted too – handling officials attending the opening ceremony, visiting industry peers, emergencies, and the fortunate performers. While Song Minglan could arrange hospitality for the stars and performers, Xia Xiaolan as general manager had to make appearances.

Yes, they were paid to perform, but with such successful performances, Xia Xiaolan needed to show respect.

A bad reputation would make future bookings difficult.

Besides, some were performing for three days straight, requiring continued care.

Whether from Hong Kong or the mainland, familiar or not, since they agreed to join Asia’s “cultural performances,” they were giving face to Xia Xiaolan, worthy of her toasting them – yes, some were purely giving face to her money, but that still counted as her face!

Xia Xiaolan was very open-minded.

When Asia’s first-day sales figures came out, she was even happier.

“2.72 million!”

This number was truly impressive.

Du Zhaohui’s ‘Chengrong Plaza’ had opening day sales of 1.71 million.

Asia’s first-day sales exceeded last year’s Chengrong Plaza opening by 1 million!

Of course, using this number to compete with ‘Chengrong Plaza’ wasn’t fair, as Chengrong Plaza only opened its first-floor supermarket then, just that space.

Now a year later, Chengrong Plaza has completed other sections and gradually opened more areas.

Since May this year, even without holidays or promotions, Chengrong Plaza’s daily sales stabilized at around 2 million, with projected 1988 annual sales exceeding 80 million… Du Zhaohui deserved this, having invested several hundred million in the entire project, though part was bank loans that needed repayment!

Chengrong Plaza’s future revenue will keep rising, truly deserving its title as China’s premier electronics distribution, wholesale, and retail center.

Compared to Chengrong Plaza, Asia was just a department store, with only a few million in investment, a smaller player.

So even with all floors operating at full capacity today, they only exceeded Chengrong Plaza’s initial first-floor sales by 1 million. Once the opening excitement faded, sales would certainly drop, unlikely to exceed Chengrong Plaza.

The 2.72 million opening day sales surprised even Xia Xiaolan.

She worked late, and the Second Aunt also stayed, waiting for these figures.

When the statistics came out, Second Aunt immediately asked Xia Xiaolan:

“Is this result good or bad?!”