98: Chapter 99 Chain Expansion Plan

Seoul at night. It was late.

In a barbecue restaurant in Hongdae, six people sat around a table.

The table was covered with empty soju glasses.

The phone vibrated again.

It was Kim Min-jun calling.

Qian Xu answered.

"Mr. Qian, something big has happened."

"What is it?"

"Yunmengze Life Plaza."

Kim Min-jun's voice was excited.

"Today's sales revenue."

"It broke through 1.5 billion won."

Qian Xu was stunned.

"1.5 billion?"

"Yes," Kim Min-jun said.

"And it wasn't a promotion."

"It was normal sales."

"The fresh food section had a half-hour line."

"The Chinese snack section was completely sold out."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Good."

"I know."

"See you at the company tomorrow morning."

"We'll discuss the second store."

"The second store?"

Kim Min-jun was stunned for a moment.

"Yes," Qian Xu said.

"Strike while the iron is hot."

"We'll open a branch in Gangnam District."

"Good!" Kim Min-jun's voice was excited.

"I'll prepare the materials tomorrow."

---

Hanging up the phone, Jeon Bo-ram looked at him.

"Mr. Qian, are you going to open a second store?"

"Yes." Qian Xu nodded.

"The Hongdae store has been open for a week."

"The data exceeded expectations."

"It's time to expand."

Ham Eun-jung put down her glass.

"Gangnam District?"

"Yes." Qian Xu looked at her.

"I read the report you gave me last night."

"All three locations are good."

"We'll go for a site visit tomorrow."

Ham Eun-jung's eyes lit up.

"I'll go with you."

"Good." Qian Xu smiled.

"You made the report."

"You know it best."

---

The next morning.

Apgujeong, Yunmengze Building.

When Qian Xu arrived, Ham Eun-jung was already in the conference room.

There were three documents on the table, along with a cup of coffee.

"Mr. Qian, good morning."

"Morning." Qian Xu sat down and took a sip of coffee.

"What time did you get here?"

"Seven o'clock." Ham Eun-jung smiled.

"I couldn't sleep, so I came early to organize the materials."

Qian Xu looked at her.

There were faint dark circles under her eyes.

"Ms. Eun-jung, you're working too hard."

"I have to." Ham Eun-jung shook her head.

"Lotte Mart might counterattack at any time."

"We need to plan ahead."

Qian Xu nodded.

"You're right."

"Which one shall we look at first today?"

"Gangnam Station." Ham Eun-jung opened the first document.

"Gangnam Station is one of the busiest commercial districts in Seoul."

"It has an average daily foot traffic of over 500,000 people."

"There are large office buildings and department stores nearby."

"The purchasing power is very strong."

"But the rent is also high."

Qian Xu looked at the document.

"How much is the monthly rent?"

"150 million won," Ham Eun-jung said.

"The area is 500 square meters."

"It's a little smaller than the Hongdae store, but the location is better."

Qian Xu thought for a moment.

"Let's go."

"Let's take a look."

---

Gangnam Station.

Ten o'clock in the morning.

Qian Xu and Ham Eun-jung stood at the subway station exit, looking at a building across the street.

"That's the one." Ham Eun-jung pointed to the second floor.

"It used to be a clothing store."

"It went out of business last month."

"It's empty now."

Qian Xu looked at the building.

The exterior wall was a bit old, but the location was indeed good.

It was right across from the subway station exit, next to a large department store.

"Can the rent be negotiated?"

"Yes." Ham Eun-jung nodded.

"The landlord is eager to sell."

"We can push it down to 120 million."

Qian Xu smiled.

"You've already negotiated the price?"

"Yes." Ham Eun-jung nodded.

"I called and asked last night."

"The landlord said if we can sign today, we can get another 10 million discount."

Qian Xu looked at her.

"Ms. Eun-jung, you are really..."

"What?"

"So capable." Qian Xu smiled.

"Let's go."

"Let's go inside and take a look."

---

The two walked into the building.

The first floor was a cafe.

The second floor was empty.

The area was indeed quite large, and the lighting was good.

"We can put the fresh food section here," Ham Eun-jung pointed to the left.

"Put the daily necessities over there."

"The checkout counter can go at the entrance."

"The layout is the same as the Hongdae store."

Qian Xu looked around.

"How long will the renovation take?"

"Two weeks," Ham Eun-jung said.

"The renovation team from the Hongdae store is still available."

"We can transfer them directly."

"It saves time on getting them up to speed."

Qian Xu nodded.

"Good."

"This store is decided."

Ham Eun-jung was stunned.

"Decided?"

"Yes." Qian Xu smiled.

"You did the research."

"I trust it."

"Besides, the location is really good."

"If we don't sign it, someone else will snatch it up."

Ham Eun-jung looked at him.

"Mr. Qian, are you always this decisive when you do things?"

"Yes." Qian Xu nodded.

"Opportunities don't wait for people."

"If you see a good one, take action."

---

The two walked out of the building.

Ham Eun-jung took out her phone.

"I'll contact the landlord right now."

"I'll make an appointment to sign the contract this afternoon."

"Good." Qian Xu nodded.

"What about the second location?"

"Apgujeong Rodeo Street," Ham Eun-jung said.

"It's very close to the company."

"The surrounding area is a fashion commercial district."

"The average transaction value is high."

"Let's go take a look," Qian Xu said.

---

Apgujeong Rodeo Street.

One of the most fashionable streets in Seoul.

On both sides were high-end brand stores, cafes, restaurants, and boutiques.

Qian Xu and Ham Eun-jung stood on the street corner, looking at a three-story building.

"That's the one." Ham Eun-jung pointed.

"The first floor is a restaurant."

"The second and third floors are empty."

"The area is 800 square meters."

"The monthly rent is 200 million won."

Qian Xu looked at the building.

The location was indeed good, but the rent was too high.

"200 million is too expensive. Can it be negotiated?"

"Yes." Ham Eun-jung nodded.

"The landlord said it could be lowered to 180 million, but we need to sign a three-year contract."

Qian Xu thought for a moment.

"Let's put this store on hold for now."

"We'll wait until the Gangnam Station store is stable."

"Good." Ham Eun-jung nodded.

"What about the third location?"

"Samseong-dong," Qian Xu said.

"It's close to the COEX mall."

"The foot traffic is also good."

"Let's go take a look."

---

Samseong-dong.

Near the COEX mall.

A two-story building.

The exterior wall was a glass curtain wall, which looked very modern.

"This used to be a Chinese restaurant," Ham Eun-jung said.

"It went out of business after being open for half a year."

"The area is 600 square meters."

"The monthly rent is 80 million won."

Qian Xu looked at the building.

It was located next to the main road, a five-minute walk from the COEX mall.

"The rent is cheap, but the foot traffic is not as good as Gangnam Station."

"Yes." Ham Eun-jung nodded.

"The surrounding area is mainly residential."

"There aren't many office buildings."

"The average transaction value is average."

Qian Xu thought for a moment.

"Let's put this store on hold too."

"We'll decide after the Gangnam Station store opens."

"Good." Ham Eun-jung nodded.

---

In the afternoon, at the building at Gangnam Station.

The landlord was a Korean man in his fifties, wearing gold-rimmed glasses.

He looked shrewd.

"Mr. Qian, here is the contract."

"Monthly rent is 110 million won."

"Three-year contract."

"300 million deposit."

Qian Xu looked at the contract.

The terms were clear. There were no traps.

"Good." He picked up his pen and signed it.

The landlord was stunned.

"Mr. Qian, you're not going to bargain?"

"No need." Qian Xu smiled.

"The price you gave is very reasonable."

"And the location is really good."

"I trust you."

The landlord looked at him.

"You are the most straightforward Chinese person I have ever met."

"Thank you." Qian Xu stood up and shook his hand.

"Happy to do business with you."

---

The landlord left.

Ham Eun-jung stood to the side, looking at the contract.

"Mr. Qian, you're really not going to bargain?"

"No need." Qian Xu smiled.

"110 million at Gangnam Station is already very cheap."

"And the landlord gave a discount."

"We have to show him some respect."

Ham Eun-jung looked at him.

"You are really amazing at doing business."

"It's not about being amazing," Qian Xu shook his head.

"It's about understanding human nature."

"If you give respect, people will give you respect in return."

"This is the Chinese philosophy of dealing with the world."

Ham Eun-jung was thoughtful.

"I've learned something."

---

The phone vibrated.

It was a system notification.

Qian Xu clicked it.

[Yunmengze Life Plaza · Gangnam Station Store successfully signed]

[Area: 500 square meters]

[Monthly rent: 110 million won]

[Expected opening: Two weeks later]

He smiled and put away his phone.

"Ms. Eun-jung, let's go."

"I'll treat you to a meal to celebrate the successful signing."

Ham Eun-jung was stunned for a moment.

"Treat me to a meal?"

"Yes." Qian Xu nodded.

"You did the research."

"You negotiated the price."

"You deserve the most credit for this store being signed."

Ham Eun-jung blushed.

"I just did what was expected of me."

"Even duties deserve rewards."

Qian Xu smiled.

"What do you want to eat?"

"My treat."

Ham Eun-jung thought for a moment.

"Samgyetang."

"The place you said was delicious last time."

"Good." Qian Xu nodded.

"Let's go."

---

Cheongdam-dong.

Samgyetang restaurant.

The two sat by the window.

The sunlight outside was very nice.

Qian Xu picked up his teacup.

"Ms. Eun-jung, I have an idea."

"Go ahead."

"After the Gangnam Station store opens," Ham Eun-jung put down her chopsticks.

"I plan to open a third store."

"In Yeouido."

"The location is also quite good."

Qian Xu looked at her.

"Yeouido is a financial center."

"There are many white-collar workers."

"The purchasing power is strong."

"And there are no large supermarkets there."

"The competition is low."

Ham Eun-jung's eyes lit up.

"Have you done research on it?"

"Yes." Qian Xu nodded.

"I looked at it last night."

"There's a building in Yeouido."

"It used to be a department store."

"It went out of business."

"It's empty now."

"The area is 1,000 square meters."

"The monthly rent is 150 million won."

Ham Eun-jung looked at him.

"You want to take it?"

"Yes." Qian Xu smiled.

"But I want to entrust this matter to you."

Ham Eun-jung was stunned.

"Entrust it to me?"

"Yes." Qian Xu nodded.

"You did the research."

"You negotiated the price."

"You understand retail."

"And you understand management."

"After the Gangnam Station store opens, you will be the store manager."

"You will also be responsible for the preparation of the Yeouido store."

Ham Eun-jung looked at him.

Her eyes were a little red.

"Mr. Qian, do you trust me?"

"I do." Qian Xu nodded.

"You are the most reliable person I have ever met."

"Without exception."

Ham Eun-jung lowered her head, silent for a few seconds.

Then she raised her head and smiled.

"Good."

"I accept."

"The Gangnam Station store."

"The Yeouido store."

"I will take them both."

"I won't let you down."

Qian Xu smiled.

"I know."

"You never let anyone down."

---

The two finished their meal and walked out of the Samgyetang restaurant.

The sunshine in Seoul was very nice.

Ham Eun-jung stood at the entrance, looking at Qian Xu.

"Mr. Qian, thank you for trusting me."

"It's only right." Qian Xu smiled.

"Let's go."

"Back to the company."

"There's still a lot of work to do."

"Good." Ham Eun-jung nodded.

The two walked side by side on the streets of Cheongdam-dong.

The sunlight stretched their shadows very long.

---

The phone vibrated.

It was a system notification.

Qian Xu clicked it.

[Chain Expansion Plan initiated]

[Second store: Gangnam Station store (Signed)]

[Third store: Yeouido store (In preparation)]

[Person in charge: Ham Eun-jung]

He smiled and put away his phone.

Looking at Ham Eun-jung beside him.

She was looking ahead, her eyes firm.

At this moment, he knew that the expansion of Yunmengze had only just begun.