The suppliers silently shook their heads.
This young General Manager Xia was quite approachable, just too stubborn.
When Asia Department Store goes bankrupt, even if they want to continue their partnership, it would be impossible.
Song Minglan waited until all the suppliers left before hesitantly saying:
“General Manager Xia, would you consider finding an intermediary? Our shopping card cashback might work, but that needs time to take effect. If these suppliers cut off our supply chain, when customers are attracted to our store, we’ll have nothing to sell…”
Who could be the intermediary?
Song Minglan knew that Xia Xiaolan had connections in the commercial district. At least Shao Limin had shown great interest in the Asia Department Store and had extended goodwill to Xia Xiaolan multiple times.
However, the unfortunate news was that Shao Limin had been transferred half a month ago and no longer worked in the commercial district!
Perhaps because of this, Lu Hongbo and others had become increasingly aggressive in pressuring the Asia Department Store. Those old hands who had operated in the commercial district for years always managed to find ways to learn about Xia Xiaolan’s backing.
Now that they saw Xia Xiaolan’s “supporter” was no longer in the commercial district, these people naturally became bolder.
On this point, Song Minglan particularly admired Xia Xiaolan’s self-restraint. She dealt with business crises using business methods, surprisingly not seeking help from Tang Hongen, nor thinking about relying on the Zhou family… If either of these parties were brought in, Lu Hongbo and others wouldn’t dare to be so excessive!
Perhaps this was why Tang Hongen wanted to marry Liu Fen.
Because Xia Xiaolan could control herself.
From the daughter’s behavior, one could see Liu Fen’s way of handling matters.
The more time Song Minglan spent around Xia Xiaolan, the more she felt that her aunt Sheng Xuan’s defeat wasn’t unjustified.
Sheng Xuan couldn’t achieve this level of restraint. With shortcuts available, why not take them? Sheng Xuan had even considered asking the Song family to help Zhu Suizhou buy land!
However, principles were principles, but in urgent situations, they could be bent a little.
Seeing Xia Xiaolan’s silence, Song Minglan grew anxious:
“If you don’t want to find someone, why don’t I step forward—”
Damn it, had she gone crazy? She was offering to use the Song family’s connections to mediate for Xia Xiaolan.
The words had already slipped out, and Song Minglan wanted to bite off her tongue.
Since joining the Asia Department Store, to avoid embarrassment in front of Xia Xiaolan and to complete the tasks she assigned, Song Minglan had often used her status as ‘Third Miss Song’ to get things done. Connections were a form of power, and Song Minglan had never sought credit from Xia Xiaolan for using hers.
But this time, the influence of ‘Third Miss Song’ wouldn’t be enough; they needed her family’s intervention.
Her father could probably find someone in the commercial district to make Lu Hongbo and others behave and stop being so excessive.
Competition was fine, but cutting off Asia Department Store’s supply? Have they no shame!
The more Song Minglan thought about it, the angrier she became, and the more determined she was about having her father step in. She didn’t regret this decision.
Xia Xiaolan was somewhat touched:
“Special Assistant Song, if anyone now says you’re a spy planted by General Manager Zhu, I would curse them until they bleed. I’ve seen all the effort you’ve put into Asia Department Store! However, while I appreciate your kindness, we don’t need to take that step yet.”
Xia Xiaolan had never directly addressed the rumor about Song Minglan being Zhu Suizhou’s “spy.”
By bringing it up now, she wanted to be frank with Song Minglan.
Since Song Minglan cared about the Asia Department Store, Xia Xiaolan needed to let her know her thoughts.
Trust was mutual. She trusted Song Minglan as a person and was willing to separate her evaluation of Song Minglan from her connection to Zhu Suizhou!
Even if Zhu Suizhou wasn’t just Song Minglan’s aunt’s husband but her actual uncle or even father, that wouldn’t make Song Minglan a spy or mole… People were independent individuals, and Song Minglan had her thoughts.
Song Minglan felt awkward about Xia Xiaolan’s sudden emotional openness.
But she was happy with Xia Xiaolan’s words. How could she be a spy for Zhu Suizhou? Could he even afford a spy of her caliber?
Wait, the current issue wasn’t whether Xia Xiaolan trusted her, but that the suppliers had clearly stated their intention to cut off Asia Department Store’s supply!
How long could Asia Department Store’s current inventory last?
“General Manager Xia, we’re not bowing to Lu Hongbo and his group. We can diplomatically negotiate for a few days. Once our shopping card recharge cashback strategy shows results, those suppliers will naturally change their minds!”
Xia Xiaolan raised an eyebrow and smiled:
“You’re right, they will change their minds. Once Asia Department Store’s business improves and daily sales increase, those suppliers will treat Lu Hongbo and others’ ‘ban’ as nonsense and immediately resume supplying to us.”
She understands this so well, so why not do it?
Xia Xiaolan’s smile suddenly turned cold:
“If they can’t withstand the pressure and cut off supplies to Asia Department Store when they want to return, will we still have a place for them? Special Assistant Song, you’ve known me for a while now. Do you think I’m that easy to deal with?”
Song Minglan’s eyes widened.
Was Xia Xiaolan saying that even if the suppliers were willing to resume supply to Asia Department Store, they wouldn’t need their goods anymore?
Just moments ago, she had smiled while seeing the suppliers off, saying they would meet again and hope to continue cooperation—it turned out those were just pleasantries, all lies!
Yes, this was more like Xia Xiaolan’s true nature.
That domineering Xia Xiaolan was back…
But what could Xia Xiaolan do?
Not just the commercial district’s supply channels, but the entire Yunan Province’s sources were in these people’s hands. They were united, controlling the retail department store supply channels in Yunan Province. Whether state-owned department stores or Asia Department Stores, everyone had to get goods from them!
Was Xia Xiaolan planning to bypass these suppliers and source from other provinces?
Song Minglan was puzzled.
The office door was suddenly knocked on loudly.
“General Manager Xia, Manager Hu is back, he says he wants to see you!”
What Manager Hu?
Song Minglan was confused for a moment before realizing—Hu Yongcai from the Purchasing Department?
Hu Yongcai was recruited by Xia Xiaolan from the Municipal Party Committee Guest House. Since joining Asia Department Store, he had only worked for a few days before becoming elusive. Song Minglan had never met him and thought he was just one of Xia Xiaolan’s connections, receiving a high salary without working.
If Hu Yongcai was useful, he should have kept those suppliers appeased.
Now that he heard about the suppliers cutting off supply, he finally knew to worry, but it was too late!
While Song Minglan had many complaints, Xia Xiaolan’s face lit up with joy:
“Manager Hu is back? Let him come in directly!”
Hu Yongcai entered the office, covered in dust, darker and thinner than before. His previously round protruding belly had flattened, and his eyes, which used to be squeezed small by facial fat, had grown larger.
Seeing Xia Xiaolan, he wiped the sweat from his face:
“General Manager Xia, I didn’t fail you. I’ve brought back representatives from manufacturers willing to supply us. They’re waiting outside now. When would you like to meet them?”