86: Chapter 87 Lotte Mart: A Choice

Seoul at night.

It was late.

Qian Xu sat in the car.

Looking at the group chat messages on his phone.

Park Hyomin's teasing message was still on the screen.

He laughed.

This girl.

She really loves to watch the chaos.

He was just about to reply.

His phone vibrated.

It was a call from Kim Min-jun.

"Mr. Qian, something has happened."

Kim Min-jun's voice was urgent.

"It's Lotte Mart."

"They have officially notified the suppliers."

"It's a choice between the two."

Qian Xu frowned.

"When did this happen?"

"Tonight," Kim Min-jun said.

"I just received the news."

"The Lotte Mart procurement department."

"Sent an official notice to all suppliers."

"Either continue to cooperate with Lotte."

"Or cooperate with Yunmengze."

"Pick one."

Qian Xu leaned back in his chair.

"They finally made a move."

"Yes," Kim Min-jun said in a heavy voice.

"And it's not just a verbal threat."

"It's an official written notice."

"Suppliers must reply within three days."

"Failure to respond will be deemed as an automatic waiver of their cooperation qualification with Lotte Mart."

Qian Xu was silent for a few seconds.

"Okay, I understand."

"See you at the company tomorrow morning."

"We'll discuss countermeasures."

"Okay."

Kim Min-jun hung up.

---

Qian Xu put down his phone.

Looking out the window.

Seoul at night.

Brightly lit.

But at this moment.

He felt that this city.

Was brewing a storm.

Lotte Mart.

The second-largest retailer in South Korea.

Finally made its move.

He took a deep breath.

Started the engine.

Drove back to Cheongdam-dong.

---

The next morning.

Seven-thirty.

Apgujeong, Yunmengze Building.

When Qian Xu arrived.

Kim Min-jun was already in the conference room.

There was a document on the table.

The cover read:

"Lotte Mart Supplier Two-Choice Notice"

"Emergency Response Plan"

"Good morning, Mr. Qian."

Kim Min-jun stood up.

His expression was not good.

"Morning."

Qian Xu sat down.

Picked up the document.

Opened it.

Inside was the official notice from Lotte Mart.

In Korean.

With an official seal.

The wording was very official.

But the meaning was very clear.

"All suppliers must confirm within this month."

"Whether they will continue to maintain a cooperative relationship with Lotte Mart."

"If they choose to cooperate with Yunmengze Life Plaza."

"Lotte Mart will terminate its cooperation with that supplier."

Qian Xu finished reading.

Put down the document.

He laughed.

"They finally made an official move."

"Mr. Qian, you're still laughing?"

Kim Min-jun was anxious.

"This is no small matter."

"Lotte Mart is in the South Korean retail market."

"With a market share of over 20%."

"If they cut off the suppliers."

"Our Life Plaza."

"Will face the risk of stockouts."

Qian Xu leaned back in his chair.

"Representative Kim, are you afraid?"

"Afraid?"

Kim Min-jun was stunned for a moment.

"I'm not afraid."

"But the suppliers are afraid."

"They don't dare to offend Lotte."

Qian Xu nodded.

"You are right."

"The suppliers are indeed afraid."

"But we are not."

He stood up.

Walked to the whiteboard.

Picked up a pen.

Drew two circles.

On the left, he wrote "China Direct Sourcing".

On the right, he wrote "Korean Farmers".

"Representative Kim, you forgot."

"We already have a Dual Supply Chain."

Kim Min-jun looked at the whiteboard.

"But Mr. Qian."

"China Direct Sourcing can only solve the issue of daily necessities."

"Korean Farmers can only solve the issue of fresh produce."

"There are still many categories in between."

"Such as condiments, frozen foods, alcoholic beverages, and drinks."

"What about these?"

Qian Xu laughed.

"These."

"We also have a contingency plan."

He took out his phone.

Opened the system interface.

[China Direct Sourcing Supply Chain]

[First batch arrived at port: 5 billion KRW worth of goods]

[Second batch in transit: 3 billion KRW worth of goods]

[Category coverage: Daily necessities, cultural and creative products, Chinese snacks, condiments, frozen foods, alcoholic beverages and drinks]

Kim Min-jun was stunned.

"The second batch is already in transit?"

"Yes."

Qian Xu nodded.

"From the day Lotte cut off the suppliers."

"I had Yiwu prepare the goods."

"The second batch of goods."

"Covers all categories."

"Including condiments, frozen foods, alcoholic beverages, and drinks."

"It will arrive at port in three days."

Kim Min-jun took a deep breath.

"Mr. Qian, you are truly..."

"Calculating every step."

"It's what I should do."

Qian Xu put down his phone.

"But relying solely on China Direct Sourcing is not enough."

"South Korean consumers."

"Have loyalty to local South Korean brands."

"So for the Korean Farmers side."

"We also need to increase our efforts."

Kim Min-jun nodded.

"Okay, I will go to Gyeonggi-do immediately."

"Talk to the Farmers Association."

"Expand the scope of cooperation."

"Not just fresh produce."

"Also processed foods."

"Such as kimchi, sauces, and rice wine."

Qian Xu's eyes lit up.

"Yes."

"Kimchi."

"South Koreans eat it every day."

"If we can cooperate with the farmers."

"Produce our own kimchi."

"The cost will be lower."

"The quality will be controllable."

Kim Min-jun laughed.

"Good idea."

"I'll go do it right away."

---

Kim Min-jun walked out of the conference room.

Qian Xu sat in the chair.

Looking at the two circles on the whiteboard.

China Direct Sourcing.

Korean Farmers.

Dual Supply Chain.

Lotte Mart wants to choke him.

It's not that easy.

His phone vibrated.

It was a message from Ham Eun-jung.

"Mr. Qian, I heard Lotte Mart has made a move?"

Qian Xu replied.

"Yeah."

"Officially notified suppliers to choose between the two."

Ham Eun-jung replied quickly.

"What do you plan to do?"

Qian Xu laughed.

"Dual Supply Chain."

"China Direct Sourcing + Korean Farmers."

"No one can choke me."

Ham Eun-jung sent a thumbs-up emoji.

"Do you need my help?"

"Not for now."

Qian Xu replied.

"You focus on rehearsals."

"The Comeback Show is the big thing."

"Okay."

Ham Eun-jung replied.

"Call me anytime if you need anything."

---

Qian Xu put down his phone.

Glanced at the time.

Nine o'clock in the morning.

He stood up.

Walked out of the conference room.

Came to the second floor.

Ham Eun-jung's office door was open.

She was sitting in front of the computer.

Reading documents.

"Ms. Eun-jung."

Qian Xu knocked on the door.

"Morning."

Ham Eun-jung looked up.

"Good morning, Mr. Qian."

"You didn't sleep well last night?"

Qian Xu looked at her.

There were faint dark circles under her eyes.

"A little."

Ham Eun-jung laughed.

"Worried about Lotte's matter."

"It's fine."

Qian Xu walked in.

Sat down opposite her.

"The Dual Supply Chain has already taken shape."

"Lotte cannot choke us."

Ham Eun-jung looked at him.

"Are you really not afraid?"

"Afraid of what?"

Qian Xu laughed.

"No matter how big Lotte Mart is."

"It cannot be bigger than market laws."

"They cut off the suppliers."

"It will only make the suppliers rely on us more."

Ham Eun-jung was thoughtful.

"How so?"

"Think about it."

Qian Xu leaned back in his chair.

"Lotte Mart has 1,000 suppliers."

"Yunmengze only has 100."

"But our procurement volume."

"Is more concentrated than Lotte Mart's."

"Suppliers cooperate with us."

"The profits are higher."

"The payment collection is faster."

"Lotte Mart cuts them off."

"Instead, they will lean towards us."

Ham Eun-jung's eyes lit up.

"That makes sense."

"So this move by Lotte Mart."

"Is actually a foolish move?"

"Yes."

Qian Xu laughed.

"They thought they could choke us to death."

"In reality, they are helping us."

"Integrate the supply chain."

Ham Eun-jung looked at him.

Her gaze was somewhat complex.

"Mr. Qian, are you really only 25 years old?"

"How do you know so much?"

Qian Xu laughed.

"Read more books."

"Read more newspapers."

"Eat fewer snacks."

"Sleep more."

Ham Eun-jung was amused.

"You are really..."

---

His phone vibrated.

It was a call from Kim Min-jun.

Qian Xu answered.

"Mr. Qian, I have arrived in Gyeonggi-do."

"The Farmers Association here."

"Is willing to expand cooperation."

"But there is a condition."

"What condition?"

"They hope we can."

Kim Min-jun paused.

"Help them solve a difficult problem."

"What difficult problem?"

"The Gyeonggi-do Farmers Association," Kim Min-jun said.

"Has 300 farmers."

"They all grow organic vegetables."

"But Lotte Mart previously suppressed prices too severely."

"They are almost unable to hold on."

"If we can purchase at market price."

"They are willing to sign an exclusive supply agreement."

Qian Xu's eyes lit up.

"Market price?"

"Yes," Kim Min-jun said.

"It is 20% higher than Lotte Mart's procurement price."

"But 30% lower than the market retail price."

"We still have profit margins."

Qian Xu thought for a moment.

"Okay."

"Agree to them."

"Sign an exclusive supply agreement."

"Three years."

"The price fluctuates according to the market price."

"Not lower than 120% of Lotte Mart's procurement price."

Kim Min-jun's voice was excited.

"Okay!"

"I will talk to them right now!"

---

Hanging up the phone.

Qian Xu looked at Ham Eun-jung.

He laughed.

"The Farmers Association side."

"It's settled."

"300 farmers."

"Exclusive supply."

Ham Eun-jung was stunned.

"300 farmers?"

"Yes," Qian Xu nodded.

"Organic vegetables."

"Kimchi ingredients."

"Sauce ingredients."

"Everything is covered."

Ham Eun-jung took a deep breath.

"Mr. Qian, you are really..."

"Too amazing."

"It's what I should do."

Qian Xu stood up.

"Let's go."

"Go to Hongdae."

"Check the renovation progress of the store."

"Okay."

Ham Eun-jung also stood up.

The two walked out of the office.

---

Hongdae, Yunmengze Life Plaza.

Ten o'clock in the morning.

The sun was shining brightly.

Qian Xu and Ham Eun-jung stood at the entrance.

In the store, the renovation team was finishing up.

The shelves were already set up.

The freezers were running.

The checkout counters were installed.

Next to it was the rest area.

A few tables were placed.

"The progress is fast."

Ham Eun-jung looked around.

"It can open the day after tomorrow."

"Yes," Qian Xu nodded.

"And now."

"The supply chain is also stable."

"Lotte Mart wants to choke us."

"No way."

He took out his phone.

Glanced at the system data.

[Dual Supply Chain Status]

[China Direct Sourcing: Second batch 3 billion KRW worth of goods arriving at port in 72 hours]

[Korean Farmers: Exclusive supply agreement with 300 farmers in Gyeonggi-do being signed]

[Supply chain risk resistance capability: S-grade]

Qian Xu laughed.

Put away his phone.

"Ms. Eun-jung."

"Opening the day after tomorrow."

"Guess what expression Lotte Mart will have?"

Ham Eun-jung thought for a moment.

"It should be."

"A look of bewilderment."

The two looked at each other.

And both laughed.

---

His phone vibrated.

It was a message from Kim Min-jun.

"Mr. Qian, the Farmers Association side."

"The agreement has been signed."

"300 farmers."

"Exclusive supply."

"Three years."

"The price fluctuates according to the market price."

"Not lower than 120% of Lotte Mart's procurement price."

Qian Xu replied.

"Okay."

"Thank you for your hard work."

Kim Min-jun replied quickly.

"It's not hard work."

"By the way, Mr. Qian."

"There is one more thing."

"The head of the Farmers Association said."

"He wants to invite you to dinner."

"To thank you in person."

Qian Xu thought for a moment.

"Okay."

"Arrange a time."

"I will treat them."

"Not them treating me."

Kim Min-jun sent a smiley face.

"Okay."

"I will arrange it."

---

Qian Xu put away his phone.

Looking at the store.

Sunlight shone in through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

The empty shelves.

Will soon be filled with goods.

Opening the day after tomorrow.

Lotte Mart wants to choke him.

But the Dual Supply Chain has already taken shape.

No one can choke him.

He laughed.

"Ms. Eun-jung."

"Let's go."

"Back to the company."

"There are still things to handle."

"Okay."

Ham Eun-jung nodded.

The two walked out of the store.

On the streets of Hongdae.

People coming and going.

The sun was shining brightly.

A new day.

Had just begun.