The Bund, an outdoor coffee shop.
After Tang Yuan and Xiao Yayue left Manpower China, they found a nearby spot to sit down. The weather was beautiful and sunny, and watching the bustling tourists along the Huangpu River offered a unique charm.
"Do you have a place to stay in Shanghai?"
"Do you need me to provide accommodation, meals, and transportation?"
Tang Yuan gently stirred his coffee and asked Xiao Yayue.
"I have a house in Shanghai, so I don't need to worry about accommodation and meals. I haven't bought a car yet, so I mainly use ride-hailing services for now," Xiao Yayue replied truthfully.
Tang Yuan nodded slightly: "Since you can handle your own accommodation and meals, I'll convert the living allowance into cash and deposit it directly into your salary each month. As for the car, I'll arrange an executive car for you in a couple of days. Do you prefer a sedan or an SUV?"
"An SUV, please. I prefer larger vehicles."
Xiao Yayue tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Although the living allowance was negligible compared to her annual salary, and she wouldn't have asked for it even if Tang Yuan hadn't mentioned it, Tang Yuan brought it up proactively. This clear-cut approach made Xiao Yayue's impression of Tang Yuaneven better.
"Alright, I'll arrange that," Tang Yuan snapped his fingers, then continued, "Since the labor contract is signed, I won't be polite with you. You need to help me with two things next. The first is to help me build a security team, and the second is to help me collect information on currently available fully furnished detached villas for sale in Shanghai. I plan to buy a villa soon. Both tasks are urgent, and I hope you can give me results as soon as possible."
After speaking, Tang Yuan raised his hand and took a sip of his Blue Mountain coffee.
Xiao Yayue heard him and her expression became more serious. She turned and took out a palm-sized notepad from her bag, then asked Tang Zong, "General Managers Tang, could you tell me about the scale, professionalism, and budget for the security team?"
"My idea for building the security team is to directly acquire a security company," Tang Yuan slowly began. "Quality over quantity. The security personnel must be highly professional. I'd rather spend 1 million a year hiring one elite than 500,000 hiring ten good-for-nothings. As for the funding, you don't need to worry about it; just select according to my requirements."
When Xiao Yayue heard Tang Yuan's reply, her hand, which had been rapidly writing in her notepad, suddenly paused. She looked up, a hint of astonishment on her face.
"A full acquisition of a security company is beneficial for management and for cultivating more loyal bodyguards. In the future, I will definitely acquire properties both domestically and internationally, and I will be traveling abroad frequently, so my demand for bodyguards is quite high."
"As for the security company after it's acquired, you will be responsible for managing it. My requirements aren't high: as long as my security needs are met, it just needs to maintain a balance of income and expenditure."
Tang Yuan saw Xiao Yayue's expression and explained with a smile.
At this moment, Xiao Yayue suddenly seemed to understand why Tang Yuan had a mysterious smile earlier. Now she could finally confirm that this job indeed had pitfalls, and it might even be a massive pitfall!
It was supposed to be a security team, but with Tang Yuan, it directly turned into a full acquisition of a security company, and after the acquisition, she would also be responsible for managing it.
If this line of thinking continued, a security team would become a security company, a legal team would become a famous law firm, a medical team would become a private hospital, an investment team would become a famous investment bank…
Thinking of this, a tiny bit of sadness welled up in Xiao Yayue's heart.
Is this what a private secretary should be doing?
This is clearly the work of a General Managers of a conglomerate!
"There really are no free lunches in this world…"
Xiao Yayue sighed in her heart, but since she had taken on this job, she had to act in her role. So, she quickly regained her composure, and her mind began to race.
"General Managers Tang, if we follow your requirements, I think we should focus on security companies in Hong Kong," Xiao Yayue quickly offered her professional opinion.
"Why?"
"Tell me."
Tang Yuan raised an eyebrow, signaling Xiao Yayue to continue.
"Hong Kong is an autonomous region, and it's more internationally connected. Its social safety is much lower than the mainland. A security company that can establish itself in such an environment must be much more professional than those in the mainland. Moreover, most security personnel in Hong Kong are proficient in firearms, and they can adapt well even to complex security conditions abroad."
"Overall, a full acquisition of a security company in Hong Kong offers the best value for money."
Based on her years of knowledge and experience, Xiao Yayue gave Tang Yuan a well-reasoned explanation.
Tang Yuan nodded slightly upon hearing this: "Your direction is correct. The current state of domestic security companies is a stagnant pool; many are almost reduced to security guard dispatch companies, and their professional standards and dedication are very concerning."
"Since you already have a plan, proceed with it. First, conduct market research to get a clear picture, and then we'll discuss the acquisition. I'll give you one week; is that enough?" Tang Yuan then asked.
"That's enough," Xiao Yayue nodded, then spoke again, "General Managers Tang, regarding the detached villas, do you have any specific requirements, and what is your budget?"
"The requirement is to be as close to the city center as possible, preferably newly built homes, and there's no upper limit on the budget. Just pick what you see fit," Tang Yuan replied casually.
No upper limit?
Xiao Yayue felt a bit uncertain, gaining a new understanding of Tang Yuan's "wealth." In Shanghai, where every inch of land is precious, even General Managers of listed companies would likely not dare to casually say "no upper limit" when choosing to purchase property.
One should know that many of those detached villas in Shanghai start in the hundreds of millions, often reaching several hundred million, which is by no means a small sum.
Xiao Yayue marveled inwardly, while outwardly she simply agreed.
After discussing business, the two chatted for a while longer, looking at the river view, then got up and left.
Xiao Yayue lived in Minhang District, not far from Tang Yuan's school, and it was on the way, so Tang Yuangave Xiao Yayue a ride. He dropped Xiao Yayue off at her home first, then returned to school himself.
After a busy day, by the time Tang
Yuan returned to school, night had already fallen…