"Days pass one by one, we are slowly growing up; I don't care if you understand what I'm singing, oh, oh."
Perhaps because 'Tonghua' was too popular this year, 'Lang Hua Yi Duo Duo', a song released in 2000 and sung by Guang Liang and Ren Xianqi, was dug out by street audio shops again, its melody floating through the streets.
If you were to ask how popular 'Tonghua' was this year, it truly hasn't been missed by anyone with a speaker across the Strait since its release, easily making it one of the biggest winners of the year.
Today is Zhang Xupeng's 26th day in Yangcheng, and it's also his first time having the opportunity to leave the hotel at night and personally experience the city's night view.
It's already past ten o'clock, the streets are bustling with people, and various late-night snack stalls are incredibly popular, making it seem like a completely different world from Beicang.
It's also different from his hometown Yicheng; this experience is especially fresh for Zhang Xupeng.
Xiao Tan has temporarily returned to Yongcheng, taking back some important documents and contracts.
While there, he'll also discuss this year's production plan with the OEM factory.
Holding a large number of orders, he now has greater confidence when facing Zhang Haiping.
It has to be said that Xiao Tan is truly a mature businessman.
When James lowered the price, he planned to lower the price with the OEM factory, even with Zhang Haiping, with whom he had been cooperating for half a year.
In Xiao Tan's original words:
"I can guarantee them a busier peak season, a non-slack off-season, and still a profit margin. What more could they want?"
Listen to that, listen.
Is that even human?
He described price reduction as a great act of charity.
But for Zhang Xupeng, it indeed highlighted another trick.
After drinking that night, Tan Jincheng noticed that Zhang Xupeng wasn't particularly sensitive to taking on business, so he explained the stakes to him.
For a trading company, if the boss lacks ability and doesn't have essential customer resources, they'll just be led by the nose by ace salespeople.
For example, if Tan Jincheng were a bit ruthless, he could register a similar apparel trading company, take all the clients, and Zhang Xupeng wouldn't even have a place to cry.
A boss doesn't have to personally run sales, they can sit in the company with their legs crossed and flirt with junior employees, but they must have a certain amount of customer resources to ensure the company's normal operation.
At the very least, they must prevent panic when an ace salesperson is poached.
Xiao Tan's words and actions, as well as what he saw and heard at this Canton Fair, made Zhang Xupeng, who had always stayed in the background as if protected, realize that doing business isn't just about making money; it also has a cruel side.
At the same time, it also made him realize that the days of gradually drifting apart from Xiao Tan in business were getting closer.
Founding a new company, bringing his uncle to renovate the office, and even borrowing money from Jinpeng Trade for the new company's vehicles—Zhang Xupeng knew all this.
If nothing unexpected happened, after this Canton Fair, it would be time for the two of them to part ways in business.
There was some sadness, and also some apprehension.
Zhang Xupeng wasn't fully prepared to take over Jinpeng Trade, but what's meant to come will eventually come, and escaping is out of the question.
"It's not about being perfectly prepared for everything, but when you encounter dark or rainy days, bravely tell yourself: Screw it, I don't care."
This was something Xiao Tan once said when facing difficulties on a boat, when he was about to give up.
Yeah, what do I have to be afraid of?
I'm a high school graduate with no diploma, no academic qualifications, and I've already amassed a fortune of millions in less than two years after graduation.
What else is there to fear?
Among his peers and classmates, those who didn't go to university like him are either working in factories or on construction sites.
Xiao Tan gave him a hand, and even starting from scratch now, his starting point is higher than many others.
Even if he just messes around, he can mess around for several years.
"Boss, going back? It's almost 11."
Seeing Zhang Xupeng still thinking of walking further, Sun Yuming couldn't help but remind him.
He had already seen two groups of people upfront making a ruckus with liquor bottles, so it was better not to approach.
For salespeople like Sun Yuming, their business acumen might vary, but their risk awareness is definitely top-notch.
There are plenty of troublemakers who drink too much at late-night snack stalls, and many who get into trouble by watching.
Boss Tan just went back today.
If he gets into trouble because he accompanied Boss Zhang out for a stroll and late-night snacks, only he will be unlucky.
Boss Tan is generous with money, but if one thinks he's easy to deal with because of that, or takes advantage of his youth, then they underestimate him greatly.
Look at the underhanded tricks he plays, and the ways he deals with foreigners.
Then look at Boss Zhang's blind trust in him, and how the two female colleagues in the company are a little afraid of him – you'll know what kind of person he is.
Combining these methods, saying he's a business genius might be an overstatement, but he's at least an absolutely qualified boss.
Sun Yuming had only seen such tactics and demeanor in middle-aged people.
He really didn't understand how someone could be so impressive at 20.
He himself was two years older than Boss Tan and had been out in society for several years, yet he was still in this pathetic state, unable to even get a decent job.
However, following such a boss isn't bad.
He's mature and resourceful, yet very young, passionate about his career, and his future achievements are boundless.
It's likely that those who started with him from the beginning, if they can stick with him until he becomes successful, will at least do well.
Judging by how readily Boss Tan gives money, he's not a stingy person.
As long as you complete the tasks he assigns, he won't treat you unfairly.
For bosses in their forties or fifties, whose companies have reached a certain scale, there's no need to worry about them going out of business, and work would be more stable.
But for newcomers, a stable environment also means fewer opportunities, making it incredibly difficult to stand out.
If I were in my thirties, settled down with a family, I would look for a stable job to support my family.
But I'm only 22 now, and I still have opportunities to try and venture out.
Boss Tan is a very good choice.
Zhang Xupeng didn't know Sun Yuming's little schemes.
He just saw that the guy looked like Xiao Tan's lackey no matter how he looked at him.
Xiao Tan asked him to do something, and he ran faster than a rabbit.
He called him boss, but called Xiao Tan "boss".
Did he really think he couldn't tell?
Before Xiao Tan left, he told everyone to try to stay in and not cause trouble.
He just wanted to go out for a stroll, but Sun Yuming insisted on following him, saying that two people going out would have someone to look after them.
But it didn't matter.
If he wanted to be Xiao Tan's lackey, so be it.
After all, Xiao Tan wasn't a stranger; even if he opened a new company, wasn't he still the boss of Jinpeng Trade?
But thinking about it, he still felt a little annoyed.
Why couldn't he be his lackey?
"Alright, let's get some late-night snacks for Liu Ge, and then we'll head back."
Zhang Xupeng wasn't actually trying to watch the excitement; he had just been distracted thinking about things.
He noticed the commotion upfront now, and he wasn't in high school anymore; he couldn't be bothered to watch such a spectacle even if invited.
"Sigh, Xiao Tan is too strong. I need to work harder, otherwise I'll still lose 80,000 yuan to him."
Thinking back to their casual bet, Zhang Xupeng even felt that Xiao Tan had already dug a pit to trap him.
This cunning guy thinks three steps ahead, and even luck can't compare to him.
Liverpool, which he randomly bet on, actually made it to the semi-finals.
It was simply absurd.
"Hey, Sun Ge; do you think Liverpool can make it to the final?"
Zhang Xupeng suddenly asked.
The football atmosphere in Guangdong Province is very strong.
People usually don't go out; they stay in the hotel to watch TV when there's nothing else to do.
Plus, they are all around the same age, so when not talking about work, they mostly discuss major leagues and the Champions League knockout stage.
"Liverpool in the final? No way. Their next opponent is Chelsea. Mourinho has coached Chelsea into a formidable team this year, and they have a defensive master. Liverpool's frontline probably can't handle them, right?"
"No one was optimistic about Liverpool before, but didn't they still make it to the semi-finals?"
"That's different. The previous opponents didn't have strong defensive capabilities, and the knockout stage involves some luck, so winning was normal. But the next opponent is Chelsea, who have both money and a coach who can create miracles."
Sun Yuming looked at Zhang Xupeng curiously:
"Boss Zhang, didn't you say you're a Manchester United fan? Why are you optimistic about Liverpool? They're arch-rivals."
"No, I'm not optimistic either. I'm just analyzing. Liverpool will definitely lose, the semi-finals are as far as they'll get."
Zhang Xupeng laughed heartily.
I knew it.
Liverpool's good days are over.
No one who understands football is optimistic about them.
Xiao Tan is just messing around; his 100 yuan will be thrown into the water.
Hmm, it'd be best if Inter Milan steps up in the semi-finals, beats AC Milan too, and makes him furious! —
The three remaining in Yangcheng happily ate late-night snacks, while Tan Jincheng, after a day of travel, had dinner with his uncle upon returning to Yongcheng, briefly learned about the renovation progress of Jinyi Industrial's office, and went to bed early.
Anything else would have to wait until tomorrow.
The exhibition was truly exhausting; even a slightly larger order intention required careful effort.
For someone like James, who is the boss and places orders personally, it's fine; as long as the boss is taken care of, everything else is easy to discuss.
Some companies only send a middle or high-level manager, and that's where the headache begins.
Foreigners are just as convoluted as we are, and all aspects of their interests must be considered.
If it's just drinking, that's fine, but some private ones will explicitly or implicitly hint at something.
Give too much, and the profit is gone; give too little, and they look down on it, and there might be more than one.
It truly embodies the saying:
"It's easier to deal with the King of Hell than with small devils."
It's no wonder so many "leeks" want to try their luck at stock trading for wealth.
Because as long as you don't aim for incredibly exaggerated figures, stock trading is genuinely too simple.
You don't need to deal with social niceties; just immerse yourself at home in front of a computer.
Before his rebirth, business wasn't good, and Tan Jincheng, with some leftover money, also wanted to make some daily expenses through stock trading and live a comfortable life.
It's just a pity that ideals are full, but reality is stark.
(End of chapter)
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