“Manager Xia, there was just a misunderstanding before. We’ve come with sincere intentions this time!”

For the sake of money, everyone could be shameless.

The suppliers adopted a very humble attitude. Xia Xiaolan didn’t turn hostile, but politely and firmly refused:

“We have our previous relationship, and I’d like to cooperate with you again, but unfortunately, the store has already signed one-year purchase contracts with these manufacturers. If we want to cooperate again, we’ll have to wait at least a year!”

One supplier’s expression changed slightly before plastering on a smile again:

“Manager Xia, I know what we did before wasn’t right, but we had no choice. If you had told us earlier about the shopping card recharge cashback promotion, we wouldn’t have been threatened by others… Of course, we understand why you had to keep it secret before launching the activity.”

Even if they didn’t understand, they had no choice – now the suppliers wanted to coax the young Manager Xia into changing her mind.

Xia Xiaolan smiled slightly:

“There’s no way. The contracts are signed, and Asia operates with rules and regulations. We value the spirit of the contract – if we agreed to one year of procurement, even one day less won’t do. If you all want to cooperate with Asia again, wait until Asia’s procurement contracts with the manufacturers expire, then bid together with the manufacturers.”

Her few sentences made the suppliers’ ears burn.

Asia hadn’t just signed procurement contracts with manufacturers – initially, they had Second Aunt sign procurement contracts with the suppliers too!

It was only because current laws and regulations weren’t perfect – otherwise, just based on what the suppliers did, Xia Xiaolan could have sued them until they bled. The suppliers’ actions were already in breach of contract – Xia Xiaolan made it very clear: suppliers might not have contract spirit, but Asia valued this point, so Asia wouldn’t cooperate with suppliers for now, choosing instead the manufacturers who had signed procurement contracts!

Her reasoning left the suppliers unable to find any fault.

What, they could disregard contract spirit and cut off supply just like that, but Asia wasn’t allowed to be scared?

Xia Xiaolan hadn’t completely closed the door, still leaving them a lifeline, saying they could bid together with manufacturers after the procurement contracts expired… This was already giving them a ladder, better climb down quickly!

The suppliers naturally weren’t satisfied and wanted to say more, when Song Minglan gently knocked on the door:

“Manager Xia, they’re waiting for you in the conference room—”

“Everyone, I’m sorry, but I have a meeting. Let’s end our discussion here for today.”

With such a clear dismissal, they had to leave even if they didn’t want to.

The suppliers left with unhappy expressions. Song Minglan watched their backs and lightly spat: “Manager Xia, why did you even meet with these petty people? They follow whoever feeds them – they could cut off Asia’s supply once, and there might well be a second time. Once we have any slight downturn, they’ll listen to the state-owned department stores’ orders again!”

The state-owned department stores were hateful, but these suppliers weren’t innocent either.

Whether Asia’s daily sales were good or not, they hadn’t owed the suppliers any payment, at most ordering less quantity than during the opening month.

But business always has ups and downs. Those suppliers cut off Asia’s supply – if Hu Yongcai hadn’t timely brought several manufacturers back to Shangdu, with the shopping card promotion ongoing, Asia’s inventory wouldn’t have lasted two days!

Just thinking about it made Song Minglan’s teeth itch with hatred for the suppliers. They weren’t asking these dogs to help in times of trouble, but at least don’t kick them while they’re down!

They completely forgot Manager Xia’s favor in helping them clear summer clothing inventory – truly a bunch of ungrateful dogs.

Song Minglan looked angry, but Xia Xiaolan laughed heartily:

“Assistant Song, why shouldn’t I meet them? Now they have to flatter and please me. No matter how much they talk, I won’t choose them as suppliers again. Isn’t it fun watching them force smiles while unhappy?”

Well, Song Minglan changed her perspective, and thinking of those suppliers’ eager enthusiasm just now, she also felt quite satisfied.

“But you said they could participate in procurement bidding next year…”

“Assistant Song, do you think these suppliers’ prices will be lower than the manufacturers’?”

Song Minglan suddenly understood.

So this promise was just to fool those suppliers!

If suppliers’ prices were lower than manufacturers’, they wouldn’t make money.

Manager Xia had never intended to continue cooperating with these suppliers. When they come pestering again after a year, they’ll just be disappointed once more – serves them right!

“Did you predict these people would side with those state-owned department stores?”

Song Minglan was curious. She wanted to learn by being at Xia Xiaolan’s side, but she didn’t know what Xia Xiaolan based her predictions on.

Xia Xiaolan shook her head, “No, even if they hadn’t completely sided with the state stores, I would have gradually replaced them. Asia is a new store, but these people charged Asia higher prices than state stores, thinking they could fool me or Second Aunt! I could overlook this – business needs time for mutual understanding, and I showed my sincerity by finding a win-win solution, helping them clear summer inventory… That was also my opportunity for them. After that, if they had lowered their supply prices to Asia to match the state department stores, I would have let go of them overcharging Second Aunt, and we could have continued cooperating.”

Getting goods from manufacturers was inevitable, but there was no need to rush.

These people were too greedy, which made Xia Xiaolan plan to replace the suppliers quickly.

However, if these suppliers hadn’t sided with the state stores, Xia Xiaolan would have chosen to get some goods from them and some from manufacturers, maintaining both channels to reward the suppliers’ support.

But since the suppliers chose to obey Lu Hongbo and others’ orders, why should Xia Xiaolan show them any consideration?

Song Minglan suddenly understood.

The suppliers choosing sides was just Xia Xiaolan’s opportunity to break free from them.

Everything Xia Xiaolan did was for Asia’s better development – she knew clearly what would benefit Asia!

Second Aunt had reached the doorway when she happened to hear Xia Xiaolan mention those suppliers overcharging her… The second Aunt suddenly lost face to enter the office. Those suppliers had flattered her so much at the time, but they were deceiving her.

The second Aunt felt angry and annoyed.

She cursed those cunning suppliers again and again in her heart, while complex emotions welled up.

Ah, she didn’t know how to do business. Asia had Zhu Suizhou managing before, and now Xia Xiaolan was in charge.

Even if Xia Xiaolan stopped managing now, Second Aunt wouldn’t dare ask Zhu Suizhou back to manage Asia.

But she didn’t know how to do business, and hiring other professional managers would surely lead to being deceived… Second Aunt understood the principle of not testing someone’s morals with money and profit.

However, would Xia Xiaolan always be Asia’s general manager?

Second Aunt doubted it.

Xia Xiaolan only had 18% shares in Asia, meaning her returns from Asia wouldn’t be much.

—If Xia Xiaolan let go of Asia, what would become of her?