Chapter 44: Chapter 44: The Leader’s Peach Blossom Eyes
Her gaze paused for 0.3 seconds!
’So young and driving a Mercedes E-Class? He’s either a genius, or he has a powerful father!’
Yang Hui opened the door and got into the driver’s seat. The car’s body reflected the cold light of the overhead LEDs. She subconsciously smoothed the wrinkles on her skirt and entered through the passenger side.
The cabin was immaculate, with the pleasant scent of leather mingled with pine cologne.
"Buckle up. We’re heading out!"
Zhu Jing snapped back to reality, realizing she had been so nervous she’d forgotten to buckle her seatbelt.
In the team’s group chat:
[Han Ya: Zhu Jing, you’re taking the boss on the subway. Don’t miss your stop!]
[Xiang Ling: She takes this line every day. How could she possibly miss her stop?]
[Han Ya: That’s why I said you don’t know Zhu Jing. The boss is that handsome—she’s bound to get distracted!]
Zhu Jing glanced sideways at her boss, who was focused on driving. ’He really is handsome!’
Her heart suddenly started to pound. She quickly turned her head away and stared out the window.
’Those charming eyes of his are just too captivating.’
"Zhu Jing, give me a rundown of the situation at this store."
He was referring to the Airex store inside the High-tech Zone Yida Department Store. Before meeting with Chen Yu, he wanted to visit the store to assess the situation and see if there were any problems he could resolve with the mall’s management at the same time.
Zhu Jing, of course, understood his intention and began to explain the store’s situation:
The store is supposed to have a staff of six, but there are only four people.
The sales target for this month is 200,000, and they’ve currently made 130,000, putting them at 65% of their goal.
Same-store sales are down 25% year-over-year.
This store used to be able to bring in 300,000 in monthly sales, but it has been on a downward slide for the past two years. Now, it struggles to even make 150,000. Because of this, employee income isn’t guaranteed, so the turnover rate is high and recruiting is very difficult.
"Sir, if they don’t get a bonus again this month, I doubt the store manager will be able to stick it out. Employees are constantly coming and going, which is agonizing for her, and on top of that, she isn’t making much money herself!"
Without a bonus, the store manager’s take-home pay is less than 3,000 yuan after deductions, and a sales associate makes less than 2,000. It’s truly not enough to support oneself.
From Zhu Jing’s tone, it sounded like she had already given up on the month. The last two days were both weekdays, when sales were naturally slower than on weekends. It was impossible to make another 25,000 in sales in just two days.
It was afternoon, and the roads in Qingzhou were clear. In less than half an hour, they arrived at the High-tech Zone Yida Department Store. After parking the car, they took an elevator to the third floor.
The Airex store was in a corner, at the very end of the trendy brands section. When he and Zhu Jing entered, a sales associate was adjusting a display while the store manager stood by, offering guidance.
"Our supervisor is here~!"
The store manager was greeting Zhu Jing.
"This is the new head of our department, Manager Yang!"
"Hello, sir!"
The store manager seemed nervous. Yang Hui smiled. "I appreciate all your hard work. Don’t be nervous. I’m mainly here today to understand what difficulties you’re facing."
"Sir, we don’t have any difficulties. Our poor performance is our own fault for not working hard enough and not being capable enough. We will definitely try harder!"
"Alright, stop right there~!"
"I don’t like beating around the bush. If there’s a problem, then report the problem. What’s your responsibility is your responsibility. What isn’t, I’ll solve it. Alright?"
These people were used to being browbeaten. Whenever a manager came to visit the store, they would be criticized for making excuses and told they weren’t trying hard enough the moment they brought up an issue.
But how can one solve problems without bringing up the objective factors?
Can a solution that isn’t based on objective facts actually solve anything?
"Lele, just be honest with our manager. Don’t give him the company line,"
Zhu Jing prompted. Chen Lele’s expression immediately fell, revealing that her earlier, energetic demeanor had been a complete act.
"Sir, we haven’t received a bonus in months. Employees have been quitting in droves, and now I just don’t know what to do."
"I understand the problem. I’ll have Zhu Jing give you the solution before noon tomorrow."
Chen Lele didn’t get her hopes up. She assumed Yang Hui was just using a stalling tactic. ’Have Zhu Jing tell us tomorrow? It’s the last day of the month. Not even a god could save us now.’
Besides, she had already lost all hope for the month. No matter how capable this new manager was, he couldn’t possibly arrive and solve the problem instantly.
"There is one other thing. We were hoping we could get more of the mall’s promotional vouchers to help drive sales!"
Yang Hui turned his head to look at Zhu Jing.
"Sir, the mall gives our company a total of 700 ’100 off 1,000’ vouchers each month for our seven brands and lets us distribute them. Based on each brand’s performance, President Shan only allocates 50 vouchers to Airex per month!"
’What pathetic performance.’ Out of 150,000 in monthly sales, 50,000 was driven by those vouchers. Using up fifty "100 off 1,000" vouchers would generate exactly 50,000 in sales revenue.
"Alright, leave it to me. I’ll see what I can do."
"Wow! Sir, you’re so cool!"
Chen Lele was so excited she almost jumped up and down. She hadn’t expected the new manager to be so capable and proactive in helping the store solve its problems.
After the words were out, her face flushed red. ’I really can’t keep my composure!’
Yang Hui laughed. "You’ve got good taste. Zhu Jing, go grab a few coffees from Starbucks in a minute. It’s my treat for them. You’ve all been working hard lately. Just hang in there for a few more days, and I’ll have a proper answer for you."
Chen Lele glanced at Zhu Jing.
"What are you looking at me for? Go on and thank our manager."
After they left the store, Yang Hui transferred 1,000 yuan to Zhu Jing via WeChat. "Buy a gift card. In the future, when you’re on store visits with me and need to buy coffee, you can just use the card."
"Sir, I can’t let you spend your own money on this!"
He waved a dismissive hand. "Let’s not argue about it, alright? As you can tell, I’m not short on money."
He left no room for refusal and continued walking ahead.
Zhu Jing pursed her lips. ’His domineering side is kind of cute.’
She went downstairs by herself, bought a gift card which she loaded onto her personal app, and brought a few cups of coffee back up to the store.
Chen Lele and the other employee were ecstatic. This was the first time a senior manager had ever bought them coffee.
He was truly one of a kind!
Neither Zhu Jing nor Yang Hui got one, as they were now heading to the mall’s administrative offices.
Not knowing who her manager was going to see, Zhu Jing simply followed a few steps behind him.
A man and a woman came walking toward them. The man was in his thirties. The woman was short and stout, looked to be approaching fifty, and had a shockingly wide waist—so wide a six-foot-tall man likely couldn’t have wrapped his arms around her.
Zhu Jing hurried to greet him. "Manager Zhao!"
The man stopped and nodded. "Ah, Xiaozhu, here for a store visit?"
Zhu Jing hummed in acknowledgment and then introduced Yang Hui. "This is our new manager, Manager Yang. Sir, this is the mall’s Manager Zhao."
Yang Hui shook his hand. Manager Zhao then introduced the stout woman beside him, saying, "This is my superior, President Peng."
’No need to guess,’ he thought. ’She must be the mall’s vice president, since the general manager is Chen Yu.’
He greeted her politely, "A pleasure to meet you, President Peng."
President Peng was quite arrogant. With her nose in the air, she said, "Hello, Xiaoyang. Your President Shan is a frequent visitor of mine."
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