Hundreds of words flowed down, leaving Qi Yan stunned. Her first reaction was that it was somewhat nonsensical. The street food competition was one of many activities Meng Chang planned. Qi Yan had participated throughout and knew deeply that in Meng Chang’s mind, this activity was just like other marketing activities – merely to stir up hype for Cold Noodle Lady.

So when Meng Chang designed this activity, he definitely hadn’t thought of so many twists and turns. Looking at Mr. Pei… Though Mr. Pei indeed inquired and through He Desheng’s message, changed the food competition from recorded to live broadcast and had judges change their evaluation of Cold Noodle Lady. But could such simple two changes lead to such complex conclusions?

Could it be that this self-media author was overthinking and misunderstood Mr. Pei’s intentions? After Meng Chang left, Qi Yan became Cold Noodle Lady’s primary person in charge. She participated throughout the entire street food competition planning. Perhaps because she was personally involved, she felt this seemed like a misinterpretation.

But thinking again, she wondered if perhaps she was on too low a level. Concerning her livelihood, she needed to think more carefully. She got up, grabbed an apple from the fridge, and while eating, carefully read the article from beginning to end again, then fell into deep thought.

“There are indeed some inexplicable doubts about this matter.”

“Mr. Pei is busy with work. Among Mr. Pei’s many businesses, Cold Noodle Lady is merely the most insignificant small department. Even with Slackin’ Takeout being such a large business, Mr. Pei rarely inquires personally, let alone Cold Noodle Lady?”

“I report directly to Manager He, then Manager He consolidates all Dream Investment information to report to Mr. Pei. From the organizational structure perspective, Cold Noodle Lady is a rather marginalized department.”

“Yet Mr. Pei still took time from his busy schedule to guide this street food competition.”

“Most marketing activities were all canceled, only this competition wasn’t canceled; and Mr. Pei specifically instructed to change it to live broadcast, and had judges be realistic…”

“Could it be true, as the article author said, this is actually a method of achieving great results with little effort?”

“Did Mr. Pei happen to see the street food competition among Meng Chang’s marketing activities, so he temporarily borrowed this opportunity, casually changing two seemingly insignificant points in this activity, yet completely altering the nature of this event?”

Once accepting this premise, Qi Yan looked at the article again and found all details matched perfectly! Qi Yan couldn’t help but suddenly understand: “I see, I was too obtuse to comprehend the leader’s true intentions!”

“Mr. Pei didn’t spell it out, perhaps wanting to test this new person in charge’s comprehension and understanding abilities! If after finishing this competition, I still knew nothing about Mr. Pei’s intentions and made no changes, I might be replaced immediately!”

“Even if not immediately replaced, my image in Mr. Pei’s eyes would certainly plummet, making Mr. Pei think I’m an incompetent subordinate…”

“That was close! Fortunately, this article’s author helped me out!” Qi Yan secretly felt relieved and hurried to record the article’s key points.

According to the article’s interpretation, Mr. Pei was actually using this street food competition to convey a new business philosophy to all consumers and simultaneously to Cold Noodle Lady’s entire staff.

Don’t be like Meng Chang – all talk, no action. Be realistic, strictly control details, genuinely learn from these experts, improve grilled cold noodles and other foods’ taste and texture;

Don’t be like Meng Chang – paying lip service to talent. Value talent, even street vendors; respect and value them, see their excellence;

Abandon unrealistic marketing tactics; whether in daily operations or promotional advertising, be realistic, treat consumers with sincerity, don’t attempt to mislead or deceive consumers.

After Qi Yan summarized, she reviewed the entire event from start to finish. The more she looked, the more everything seemed perfectly aligned and natural.

“Strictly speaking, Mr. Pei’s method could be called ‘breaking then establishing.'”

“He clearly understands Cold Noodle Lady’s current situation – reputation collapsed, credibility ruined, poor taste. This is a deadlock. All consumers have a ‘boy who cried wolf’ mentality, no longer trusting Cold Noodle Lady.”

“At this point, more promotion is useless. Since that’s the case, stop these ineffective marketing activities.”

“Mr. Pei’s solution is to use this street food competition to completely negate Meng Chang’s practices, break all consumers’ fixed impressions of Cold Noodle Lady, and genuinely improve Cold Noodle Lady’s taste. Only this way can this brand gain new life!”

“So now what I should do to cooperate with Mr. Pei is… retain these talents!”

These excellent vendors from across the country were still staying at hotels arranged by Cold Noodle Lady. Since the competition ended late at night, they couldn’t expect people to take high-speed trains overnight – that would be too impolite. Everyone was checking out tomorrow noon, leaving tomorrow afternoon by high-speed train or plane. Those winning vendors – weren’t they exactly the talents Mr. Pei eagerly sought?

Must find ways to recruit them! Qi Yan immediately searched her computer for the winning vendors’ list and contact information.

“Wait, just cold noodle group winners, or all vendors together?” Qi Yan carefully considered: “From improving Cold Noodle Lady’s taste perspective, finding cold noodle group’s first place would suffice. But this competition was a street food competition, not a grilled cold noodle competition.”

“Though this competition was Meng Chang’s idea, Mr. Pei didn’t change it, meaning he approved. Since Mr. Pei approved this as a street food competition, other street foods are equally important.”

“Better keep all winning vendors and ask about their intentions.”

Originally, after taking over Cold Noodle Lady, Qi Yan had been in a very confused state. Previously, she was just a marketing activity leader under Meng Chang specifically for Cold Noodle Lady. Suddenly taking over all Cold Noodle Lady work, she felt somewhat lost. Even someone like Meng Chang couldn’t make Cold Noodle Lady take off; Qi Yan felt she’d be even less likely.

But now, Mr. Pei had pointed out a clear path for Cold Noodle Lady. Though still uncertain of success, Qi Yan at least found her direction. She suddenly felt full of energy, beginning to plan future work!

…

Meanwhile, in Jingzhou, at Ming Imperial Palace Feast. Li Shi just finished dinner with several friends, seeing them off one by one. Just as he wanted to go home and rest, he saw Xue Zhebin approaching excitedly with his phone: “Manager Li! Look at this quickly! Isn’t this what you previously estimated – Mr. Pei taking action?”

Li Shi was startled. Taking the phone, he saw the article titled “From the Street Food Competition, Observing Cold Noodle Lady’s ‘Breaking’ and ‘Establishing’.” He read carefully from beginning to end, then smiled.

“Indeed! I said Mr. Pei would take action soon after gaining Cold Noodle Lady’s control, but didn’t expect it so quickly!” While genuinely happy, Li Shi felt somewhat proud. Successfully predicting Mr. Pei’s actions this time!

He and Xue Zhebin invested money in Cold Noodle Lady, gaining some shares, then bought more at low prices. Currently holding about 30% shares. Though these shares remained worthless, Li Shi was certain that in the near future, these shares and dividends would definitely earn back all previously invested money with profit!

This article analyzed clearly. Since Mr. Pei acted, Cold Noodle Lady’s revival wasn’t far off.

“Wait a moment.”

Li Shi read the article again from beginning to end, savoring carefully.

Xue Zhebin was surprised: “What’s wrong, Manager Li? Any issues?”

Li Shi shook his head: “No issues, but some insufficiencies.”

“Clearly, this author has substance. Probably had finance, investment industry experience before self-media, understanding industry situations well, sharp insight, good writing.”

“But… writing this article falls far short of revealing the full story of Mr. Pei, Meng Chang, and Cold Noodle Lady.”

“Of course, can’t blame him. Many details are unknown to outsiders. Without access to information, naturally can’t write about it.”

“Like Cold Noodle Lady’s founding press conference, Meng Chang on stage, Ma Yang below stage verbal sparring, and Mr. Pei seemingly intentionally or unintentionally targeting Cold Noodle Lady, making investors hesitate with no takers… these power plays aren’t written at all.”

“This author only judged from collected information: Meng Chang ruined Cold Noodle Lady first, Mr. Pei reformed it later. But their relationship is far more complex. Actually, since Cold Noodle Lady’s founding, Mr. Pei’s shadow existed. Cold Noodle Lady and Meng Chang’s current fate directly relates to Mr. Pei!”

“If this information could be disclosed… it would play a more crucial role in reversing Cold Noodle Lady’s reputation!”

Xue Zhebin nodded in understanding: “Right!”

“The best way to reverse Cold Noodle Lady’s reputation is telling everyone: Cold Noodle Lady changed ownership. Mr. Pei having Cold Noodle Lady host this street food competition sends this message.”

“And if everyone could more clearly understand various details from Cold Noodle Lady’s establishment to bankruptcy, people’s disgust for Cold Noodle Lady could transfer to Meng Chang, recognizing Cold Noodle Lady again because of Mr. Pei.”

“So Manager Li, you mean…”

Li Shi chuckled: “Contact this author. Tell him I have exclusive inside information about Cold Noodle Lady, hoping to let more people know through his articles.”