72: Chapter 73 Lotte Mart Makes its Move

Naver confirmed the live streaming support.

Qian Xu had just put down his phone.

Kim Min-jun rushed in and pushed the door open.

"Mr. Qian, something happened."

"What is it?"

"It's Lotte Mart."

"They're holding a promotional event near Hongdae."

Kim Min-jun handed over his phone.

On the screen was a Naver news article.

The headline read:

"Lotte Mart Hongdae Branch: 30% Off Storewide"

"Limited Time of Three Days: Fresh Produce Half Price"

Qian Xu looked at the news.

He smiled.

"They're desperate."

"Desperate?"

Kim Min-jun frowned.

"They're trying to divert our customer traffic."

"Yunmengze Life Plaza hasn't even opened yet."

"And they've already started promoting."

"They're targeting us."

"I know."

Qian Xu leaned back in his chair.

"Lotte Mart has two stores in Hongdae."

"One on the main road."

"One next to the subway station."

"Both are prime locations."

"They're offering 30% off."

"They just want to snatch away all the nearby consumers before we open."

Kim Min-jun was anxious.

"Then what should we do?"

"Our Life Plaza hasn't finished renovations yet."

"It will take at least two weeks to open."

"If they have sales for these two weeks,"

"All the consumers will go to Lotte."

"By the time we open,"

"Who will still come?"

Qian Xu looked at him.

"Representative Kim, do you believe me?"

"The harder they discount,"

"The better our business will be after we open."

Kim Min-jun was stunned.

"What do you mean?"

"Why is Lotte Mart offering discounts?"

Qian Xu asked.

"Because they're afraid."

"They're afraid of our Life Plaza opening."

"They're afraid of our business model."

"They're afraid of our prices."

"That's why they're promoting in advance."

"They want to steal our customer base."

"But have you thought about this?"

"They're offering discounts."

"This means their normal profit margins are very high."

"And our prices,"

"Are even cheaper than their discounted prices."

Kim Min-jun's eyes lit up.

"That's right!"

"Our daily necessities sourced directly from China,"

"Are 30% lower than Korean wholesale prices."

"Even if Lotte offers 30% off,"

"Our prices are still cheaper than theirs."

"Exactly."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Plus, our service,"

"Is a hundred times better than theirs."

"Unconditional returns."

"Free shoe repair and clothing alterations."

"Free blood pressure checks."

"Lotte can't do these things."

Kim Min-jun nodded.

"Then what do we do now?"

"Do nothing."

Qian Xu stood up.

"Let them offer discounts."

"Let them promote."

"Let them clear out their inventory."

"When we open,"

"They'll be out of stock."

"We'll have plenty of goods."

"Lower prices."

"Better service."

"Who will the consumers choose?"

Kim Min-jun smiled.

"Mr. Qian, had you already thought of this?"

"Yes."

Qian Xu walked to the window.

Looking at the Hongdae streetscape.

"Lotte Mart is the largest retail group in Korea."

"They won't just watch us take their market."

"They will definitely make a move."

"I've been waiting for them to make a move."

"Now they have."

"So let them make it."

"We'll stick to our own pace."

---

The phone vibrated.

It was a system notification.

[Business Competition Event: Lotte Mart Hongdae Branch Promotion]

[Impact Assessment: Short-term customer diversion, long-term benefit]

[Suggestion: Proceed as planned, no adjustments needed]

Qian Xu smiled.

The system said the same thing.

---

Kim Min-jun stood to the side.

Looking at Qian Xu.

"Mr. Qian, what about the renovation progress?"

"Proceed as planned."

Qian Xu said.

"Open in two weeks."

"Not a day earlier."

"Nor delayed."

"Okay."

Kim Min-jun nodded.

"I'll keep an eye on the renovation team."

"Ensure it's finished on time."

---

In the afternoon.

Qian Xu walked out of the office.

Planning to go to Hongdae to take a look.

His phone vibrated.

It was a message from Jeon Bo-ram.

"Mr. Qian, have you seen the news?"

"Lotte Mart is having a sale."

Qian Xu replied.

"I saw it."

"What's wrong?"

"I'm worried!"

Jeon Bo-ram replied quickly.

"Our Life Plaza hasn't opened yet."

"And they've already started discounting."

"Will it affect us?"

Qian Xu smiled.

"It won't."

"Don't worry."

"I have a plan."

Jeon Bo-ram replied.

"Really?"

"Really."

"Then are you free tonight?"

"I want to talk to you."

Qian Xu paused for a moment.

"Sure."

"What time?"

"Seven o'clock."

"At my place."

"I'm making kimchi stew."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Okay."

---

7:00 PM.

Cheongdam-dong.

Qian Xu stood at Jeon Bo-ram's door.

He rang the doorbell.

The door opened.

Jeon Bo-ram was wearing a pink apron.

Holding a spoon in her hand.

"Mr. Qian! You're here!"

"Come in quickly!"

Qian Xu walked in.

The aroma of kimchi stew wafted through the living room.

Two sets of bowls and chopsticks were set on the table.

Along with a plate of kimchi.

And a plate of fried dumplings.

"You made this?"

Qian Xu looked at the dishes on the table.

"Of course!"

Jeon Bo-ram raised her chin proudly.

"I've been learning to cook recently!"

"I learned the kimchi stew from Eunjung Unnie!"

"The fried dumplings are frozen!"

"But I fried them really well!"

Qian Xu smiled.

"It looks delicious."

"Of course it is!"

Jeon Bo-ram pulled him to sit down.

"Try it quickly!"

Qian Xu picked up a piece of pork belly from the kimchi stew.

Put it in his mouth.

The taste was not bad.

Although it couldn't compare to a restaurant.

But it had a strong home-cooked flavor.

"Delicious."

"Really?"

Jeon Bo-ram's eyes lit up.

"I practiced many times!"

"Finally succeeded!"

Qian Xu looked at her.

There was a bit of flour on her face.

Like a little kitten.

"You have flour on your face."

"Ah?"

Jeon Bo-ram touched her face.

The flour got even messier.

Qian Xu smiled.

"Don't move."

He reached out.

Gently wiped the flour off her face.

Jeon Bo-ram was stunned.

Her face turned red all of a sudden.

"Tha... thank you..."

"You're welcome."

Qian Xu withdrew his hand.

Continued eating the kimchi stew.

---

Jeon Bo-ram lowered her head.

Her heart was beating fast.

She took a deep breath.

"Mr. Qian, about the Lotte Mart matter."

"Are you really not worried?"

"Not worried."

Qian Xu put down his chopsticks.

"Do you know why?"

"Why?"

"Because Lotte Mart."

"Has already lost."

Jeon Bo-ram was stunned.

"Lost?"

"They haven't even fought yet and they've lost?"

"Yes."

Qian Xu looked at her.

"They're offering discounts."

"Because they're afraid."

"Afraid of our Life Plaza."

"Afraid of our business model."

"Afraid of our prices."

"A frightened opponent."

"Has already lost."

Jeon Bo-ram was thoughtful.

"So you're not afraid of them?"

"Not afraid."

Qian Xu smiled.

"In fact, I hope they offer discounts."

"The heavier the discount,"

"The more afraid they are."

"When we open,"

"Consumers will discover."

"Our prices are even cheaper than their discounted ones."

"And our service is a hundred times better than theirs."

"By then,"

"Who will still go to Lotte?"

Jeon Bo-ram's eyes lit up.

"I understand!"

"They're helping us by discounting!"

"Yes."

Qian Xu nodded.

"They're helping us promote."

"Telling consumers."

"That there's going to be a new supermarket in Hongdae."

"And it's better than them."

Jeon Bo-ram smiled.

"Mr. Qian, you're so amazing!"

"You've thought of everything."

"It's only natural."

Qian Xu picked up his bowl.

"Eat up."

"The stew is getting cold."

"Mm!"

Jeon Bo-ram also picked up her bowl.

The two sat face to face.

Eating the kimchi stew.

The night view of Seoul outside the window was beautiful.

---

After dinner.

Jeon Bo-ram cleared the bowls and chopsticks.

Qian Xu stood by the window.

Looking at the night view of Cheongdam-dong.

His phone vibrated.

It was a message from Kim Min-jun.

"Mr. Qian, regarding Lotte Mart."

"The first day of the promotion."

"Customer traffic did increase."

"But sales did not grow significantly."

"Because they're offering discounts."

"The profit margin is very low."

"The more they sell, the more they lose."

Qian Xu smiled.

He replied.

"Keep observing."

"Let them lose money."

"When we open,"

"They will know."

"What real retail is."

---

Jeon Bo-ram finished washing the dishes.

Walked over.

Stood beside Qian Xu.

"Mr. Qian, what are you looking at?"

"The night view."

Qian Xu pointed outside the window.

"The night in Seoul."

"It's beautiful."

Jeon Bo-ram looked out the window.

The lights of Cheongdam-dong.

The Han River shimmering in the distance.

"Yeah."

"It's beautiful."

She turned to look at Qian Xu.

"But I think."

"Watching the night view with you."

"Is even more beautiful."

Qian Xu paused for a moment.

Turned to look at her.

Jeon Bo-ram's face turned red.

But she didn't look away.

"Mr. Qian..."

"I..."

"What's wrong?"

Qian Xu looked at her.

Jeon Bo-ram took a deep breath.

"I..."

"It's nothing."

She smiled.

"Thank you for coming to eat tonight."

"It's my pleasure."

Qian Xu also smiled.

"Then I'll head back first."

"I have to go to Hongdae tomorrow."

"Okay."

Jeon Bo-ram saw him to the door.

"Good night."

"Good night."

Qian Xu walked out the door.

The elevator door closed.

Jeon Bo-ram stood at the door.

Her heart was beating fast.

She touched her face.

It was hot.

She smiled.

Qian Xu.

This man.

Is really different.