69: Chapter 69 The Decisive Su Manqin

The atmosphere in the conference room was solemn.

On both sides of the long conference table sat the mid-to-high-level management of Junlin Hotel Group (formerly the Zhu Group). Most of them had varying expressions—some curious, some disdainful, and some with a hint of scrutiny.

Su Manqin sat in the host seat, while Mu Wan sat beside her like a sidekick, playing on her phone but actually observing the micro-expressions of these people.

"I am Su Manqin. Starting today, I am taking over Junlin Hotel Group," Su Manqin said, getting straight to the point without any nonsense. "I know many of you here are veterans of the company, and you might not be happy about a CEO suddenly being parachuted in. Some might even think, what does a woman know about hotel management?"

A few of the older executives exchanged glances, a barely perceptible sneer appearing at the corners of their mouths.

"Since everyone has doubts, we'll let results speak for themselves." Su Manqin slammed a report in her hand heavily onto the table. "This is the last quarter's financial report just sent over by the group's finance department. Out of ten chain hotels, eight are operating at a loss, and two are breaking even. This flagship hotel seems to have decent cash flow, but its net profit has dropped by thirty percent year-on-year!"

She stood up, her gaze sweeping across the room like a blade. "Is this your so-called 'performance'? Is this the 'management experience' you are so proud of?"

"General Manager Su, you can't blame us for this!" complained Old Liu, the F&B Director. "The current economic environment is poor, consumption is downgrading, and ever since Junlin Capital's acquisition, there have been constant adjustments. Everyone is anxious, so business is naturally hard to do..."

"Excuses," Su Manqin spat out coldly. "If the economic environment is poor, why does the Hilton across the street have a ninety-five percent occupancy rate? If consumption is downgrading, why are there daily queues at the internet-famous restaurant downstairs?"

She walked over to the projection screen and pressed the remote control. An exquisite concept map appeared on the screen—a luxury hotel that blended classical gardens with modern technology.

"Junlin's goal is not to barely survive in this red ocean, but to become a cultural tourism benchmark in Ze City and even the entire province." Su Manqin's voice was filled with persuasive power. "In one month, this place will no longer be an ordinary business hotel, but the province's first five-star hotel themed around 'intangible cultural heritage'."

"What? One month?" Executive Vice President Zhang Jianguo stood up in shock. "General Manager Su, that's impossible! Renovation, staff training, menu updates—which of these doesn't take time? It will take at least half a year!"

"Others might not be able to, but I can." Su Manqin turned around, her powerful aura fully unleashed. "As for funding, headquarters has specially approved one billion yuan. As for resources, Junlin Capital will support us across the board. What I want from you is execution."

She locked her gaze onto Old Liu. "Director Liu, I heard you are a certified master chef and have deep knowledge of local cuisine?"

Old Liu was taken aback and nodded subconsciously. "Yes... yes, that's true."

"Good." A curve formed at the corner of Su Manqin's mouth. "I'll give you three days to redesign a menu for the 'Junlin Feast' based on the 'Twenty-Four Solar Terms'. I want to see a combination of tradition and innovation. If you can't do it, the position of F&B Director will go to someone else."

Old Liu's expression changed, but he then grit his teeth. "Fine! Since General Manager Su has put it that way, I'll give it a try!"

"Marketing Director."

"Here."

"Contact all the internet-famous bloggers and media outlets in the province. In three days, I want to see the topic 'Junlin's New Look' dominating the trending searches. Budget is not an issue; what I want is buzz."

"Yes, ma'am!"

Su Manqin swiftly finished assigning the tasks, and her gaze finally landed on Executive Vice President Zhang Jianguo.

"Vice President Zhang, you are in charge of logistics and security. Starting tonight, post the hotel upgrade announcement and suspend business operations, and hire multiple moving companies to clear the premises. Tomorrow morning, I want to see a site ready for construction and renovation."

Executive Vice President Zhang Jianguo wiped his sweat. Feeling the unquestionable authority of this new boss, he finally cast aside his dismissiveness. "Understood, General Manager Su!"

The meeting ended, and everyone filed out. Although the pressure was immense, a long-lost spark of excitement and drive appeared in everyone's eyes.

Only Su Manqin, Mu Wan, and Executive Vice President Zhang Jianguo remained in the conference room.

"General Manager Su," Executive Vice President Zhang Jianguo hesitated before asking, "Um... regarding the funds, can they really be made available at any time?"

Su Manqin took out her phone, dialed a number, and put it on speaker.

"Hello, Sister Qin," Financial Director Xia Wanxing's crisp voice came from the other end of the line. "I've sent the financial report to your email. Also, the Boss asked me to tell you that the special fund of one billion yuan has already been transferred to the group's account. You can allocate it at any time."

"Alright, thank you, Wanxing."

Su Manqin hung up the phone and looked at Executive Vice President Zhang Jianguo with a half-smile. "Vice President Zhang, are you reassured now?"

Executive Vice President Zhang Jianguo nodded repeatedly, bowing even lower. "I am, I am! Rest assured, General Manager Su. I'll go arrange it right away!"

Watching Executive Vice President Zhang Jianguo's hurried departure, Mu Wan couldn't help but applaud. "Wow, Mom! The way you lectured them just now was even more domineering than Brother Lin Yu! I almost want to work for you now."

Su Manqin massaged her temples. Her powerful demeanor instantly dissolved into exhaustion as she slumped in her chair, smiling wryly. "What do you mean domineering? It was all an act. I was terrified inside, dreading that I'd expose myself."

"No way, you were super cool!" Mu Wan leaned in and massaged her shoulders. "But Mom, is one month really enough? You're talking about converting an old hotel into a five-star cultural tourism hotel."

"If time isn't enough, we'll throw money at it and fight with our lives." A ruthless glint flashed in Su Manqin's eyes. "This is my first battle at Junlin. I can only win; I cannot lose."

She stood up and straightened her collar. "Come on, let's go to the penthouse presidential suite. I want to personally inspect the renovation plans there."

...

Meanwhile, at the Junlin Capital Building.

Lin Yu looked at the live-broadcast photos sent by Tang Man on his phone—Su Manqin stood in front of the conference table, high-spirited with a determined gaze.

A doting smile curled on his lips.

"It seems our General Manager Su is adapting very quickly."

"Boss," Tang Man walked in and reported, "Director Xia said the funds are already in place. Also, President Wang asked if you want to send a PR team to assist General Manager Su."

"No need," Lin Yu waved his hand. "Since she wants to prove herself, let her go all out. However..."

He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Notify the engineering department to stand by at all times. If she really can't handle it, we must step in immediately. I want her to win, but I can't let her get too exhausted."

"Yes, Boss."

Lin Yu stood up, walked to the French window, and looked down at the entirety of Ze City.

...

Su Manqin stood before the French window, overlooking the street view of Ze City. Behind her, the long conference table was packed with people—the top design team sent from the Junlin Capital headquarters, along with several heads of the hotel's original engineering department.

The atmosphere was somewhat subtle. The design team consisted of elite members carefully selected by the headquarters—young, fashionable, and carrying a hint of arrogance. On the other hand, Old Zhao and others from the engineering department were "veterans" of the original Zhu Group. Looking at this group of parachuted-in newcomers, their eyes held a degree of disapproval.

"General Manager Su," Design Director Xiao Li pushed his glasses up and pushed a thick proposal in front of Su Manqin. "This is the 'modern luxury style' proposal we intend to implement. It strips away the complex to embrace simplicity, in line with international trends."

Su Manqin flipped through the proposal, scanned it briefly, and her brow furrowed slightly.

"Xiao Li, the proposal is well done, but the direction is off." Su Manqin closed the folder. Her voice wasn't loud, yet it carried an unquestionable authority. "What we want to build is not ordinary international luxury, but a 'cultural tourism landmark of Ze City'."

"Cultural tourism?" Xiao Li was taken aback.

"Yes." Su Manqin stood up, walked to the whiteboard, picked up a marker, and wrote down two words: "Peony" and "Tang Dynasty".

"Ze City was anciently known as Caozhou, and its peonies are the finest under heaven. The hotel we are building will no longer be a simple lodging place, but a window to showcase the city's culture." Su Manqin spoke as she wrote, "Therefore, I have decided that the hotel will be officially renamed 'Junlin Yunding International Hotel'. It signifies 'Above the clouds, national grace and heavenly fragrance'."

"As for those ten chain budget hotels, they will all be renamed 'Junlin Select'. With a unified VI, they will focus on youthfulness, smart technology, and high cost-effectiveness."

"General Manager Su, what about the specific renovation style..." Old Zhao asked tentatively.

"The style must be 'New Chinese'." Su Manqin's eyes sparkled. "The lobby must be grand, carrying the aura of the prosperous Tang Dynasty. The guest rooms must be elegant, incorporating peony elements without being tacky. I want guests in their rooms to feel the convenience of modern technology while sensing the lingering fragrance of history."

She paused and looked at Xiao Li. "Xiao Li, your team will work overtime tonight to generate new renderings based on this direction. I want to see the new proposal at eight tomorrow morning."

"Tonight?!" The design team groaned in unison.

"What? Is there a problem?" Su Manqin swept a cool gaze over them. "If you can't keep up with my pace, I can replace you."

"No problem! We'll pull an all-nighter tonight!" Xiao Li grit his teeth, suddenly taking this with the utmost seriousness.

...

The next morning, at 7:50 AM.

The conference room was filled with smoke. Sporting dark circles under their eyes, the design team finally presented the new proposal.

When the concept map of "Junlin Yunding: Peonies of a Prosperous Age" was projected onto the screen, Su Manqin finally revealed a satisfied smile.

"This is exactly the feeling." Su Manqin pointed at the lobby design. "For this background wall, use the intangible cultural heritage Dough Modeling craft to make a three-dimensional relief of 'Wei Purple and Yao Yellow'. Old Zhao, you are responsible for contacting Ze City's Dough Modeling masters. They must enter the site tomorrow."

"Yes, General Manager Su!" Old Zhao answered crisply this time, completely won over by Su Manqin's boldness.

"Also," Su Manqin looked at the head of the technology department. "This transformation is not just about renovation. I want to carry out a 'smart upgrade' simultaneously."

"Smart upgrade?"

"Yes. Those ten 'Junlin Select' locations will all be upgraded to smart hotels. Facial recognition check-in, robot deliveries, and in-room voice control will be standard," Su Manqin explained methodically. "As for this 'Yunding International', I want even more advanced intelligence. For example, the lighting in the guest rooms should automatically adjust its color temperature over time to simulate sunrise and sunset. For instance, as soon as a guest walks in, the TV should automatically play a welcome message, and the air conditioner should automatically set to a comfortable twenty-six degrees."

"General Manager Su, this is a massive undertaking. Doing it simultaneously with the renovation will be extremely difficult," the technology head said, looking somewhat troubled.

"We are doing it precisely because it is difficult," Su Manqin said firmly. "This is our core competitiveness. As for funding, headquarters has already approved a special fund, so you can just go ahead and do it without worry."

"Understood!"

"Excellent, the proposal is approved!" Su Manqin slammed the table. "Old Zhao, notify the construction team to enter the site at exactly eight-thirty! Tear out the old and bring in the new. Move fast!"

...

Day 1, 9:00 AM.

With an order given, dozens of workers flooded into the hotel. The sound of electric drills and hammering instantly shattered the hotel's former tranquility.

Wearing a hard hat, Su Manqin stood in the center of the lobby, watching the workers tear up the old carpets and decorations.

"General Manager Su, about the lobby floor..." Old Zhao pointed to the heavily scratched marble floor. "It would be too wasteful to lay a new carpet directly over it, but if we redo the stonework, we won't make the deadline."

"No need to redo it." Su Manqin squatted down and inspected the floor closely. "This is imported Italian marble with a very good base. Have them do a crystallization treatment, polish, and wax it to restore its luster. Then, lay a wool carpet with subtle peony patterns over it, leaving only the central parquet pattern exposed."

"Brilliant! This saves money and delivers a great look!" Old Zhao gave a thumbs-up.

"Old Zhao, is someone keeping an eye on the progress outside and in the underground parking lot?"

"Rest assured, General Manager Su! Construction is ongoing twenty-four hours a day, and someone is watching it!"

"Good!"

Day 3.

The renaming of "Junlin Select" was the first to be completed.

On the streets and alleys of Ze City, the ten stores that previously bore the "Zhu's Express" signs were all replaced overnight with "Junlin Select" in gold letters on a black background.

Simultaneously, the smart equipment began arriving at the site.

"General Manager Su, look at this smart control panel." The technology head demonstrated a touch screen to Su Manqin. "This is the 'smart brain' we are going to install. Guests can control the curtains, lights, and TV through voice commands. For example, if they say 'Xiao Jun Xiao Jun, I want to sleep,' the curtains will close automatically, the lights will turn off, and the air conditioner will enter sleep mode."

"Not bad." Su Manqin nodded. "But pay attention to privacy protection. Also, for the presidential suite in 'Junlin Yunding', I want a 'scene mode' added. For instance, a 'romantic mode' where the lights dim, soft music plays from the speakers, and the bathtub automatically fills with water."

"Understood! We'll add the code as soon as we get back!"

Day 7.

The renovation of "Junlin Yunding" entered the deep-water zone.

The Dough Modeling masters from Ze City finally arrived. Three white-haired veteran artists, accompanied by their apprentices, began their meticulous carving on the scaffolding.

Su Manqin climbed up to check the progress every day.

"Master, the layering of these petals is not enough." Su Manqin pointed to a corner of the background wall. "The peonies need to have a sort of 'budding' tension. Right now, they look too stiff."

"General Manager Su, this Dough Modeling requires precise timing and heat; it cannot be rushed." The master wiped his sweat. "But rest assured, since you understand the craft so well, we will definitely make the best piece for you."

"Great, then I'll trouble you all." Su Manqin had some of the finest tea and pastries sent up. "Although the schedule is tight, the quality must not drop. Once it is done well, I will give you all a bonus."

Day 25.

All the hard renovations and smart system commissioning were basically complete.

The hotel took on an entirely new look.

In the lobby, the massive "Blossom in a Prosperous Age" dough-modeled background wall glowed brilliantly under the lights, as if real floral fragrance was wafting out.