Chapter 224 - 187: Identity Exposed (Part 2)
He smiled faintly. "True, but now that he's run into President Tian, he should be much more proactive about this."
The words had barely left his lips when his phone rang. It was President Zhang. On the phone, he stated that he would definitely secure the corner store location according to Yang Hui's request by next week, and told him not to worry.
"Thanks!"
Yang Hui didn't say anything more. He knew this change of heart was definitely because of President Tian. Even though President Zhang sounded so deferential to him now, he was surely seething inside. This whole affair had gotten him a dressing-down from his own boss.
"Shen Meng, the location's secured. We should celebrate."
She had just brought over two glasses of water when she saw him lounging on the sofa, spread-eagled. His charming eyes narrowed into a wicked grin, and she immediately understood what kind of "celebration" he had in mind.
Aside from the final step, he had explored nearly all of her that afternoon. She wasn't as shy as the first time, but she still couldn't help but shoot him a playful glare. "It's not even nighttime yet, and you're already—"
Yang Hui laughed heartily, reached out, and pulled her into his arms. He whispered in her ear, "It's even better in broad daylight. The sun gives you energy."
Before Shen Meng could say a word, his mouth covered hers. At the same time, a large hand gripped her bottom.
Twilight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting their overlapping shadows on the mottled wall. Shen Meng's long, beige dress had long since slipped from her shoulders, pooling on the arm of the sofa. Yang Hui's fingertips traced the line of her collarbone, sending shivers across her skin.
His right hand gripped the small of her back, pressing her full hips against him. These were all new and thrilling experiences for Shen Meng. Lost and uncertain, she let Yang Hui lead her into a wondrous new world.
Yang Hui slid an arm under the crook of Shen Meng's knees, lifting her from the messy sofa. Her long dress had already fallen to her waist, her bare back pressing against his chest. The full curve of her buttocks rested against the veins in his forearm.
As his knee parted her smooth, jade-like legs, her eyes were fixed on him, as if to burn this moment into her memory forever.
Overlapping silhouettes danced on the curtains. Meanwhile, Shen Meng's lacy panties still hung from the translucent lampshade, swaying in a tantalizing arc with the breeze from the air conditioner.
"Shen Meng, get up. Turn over and lie on your stomach."
After lying there for over half an hour, Shen Meng heard his words, but she didn't know what he wanted or how to do it.
"Just like the first time I saw you, in the fitting room of the Futong Commerce livestream studio. That position."
"You're terrible—" Though shy, she did as he asked.
It was a classic reenactment, and as always, Yang Hui saw it through to the very end... The room once again filled with the sounds of their symphony.
Han Chao arrived in Sanyang and was now sitting with Zhao Rui in a restaurant.
"President Zhao, you're a true friend. If you can get this location for us at Futong Commerce, we'll deliver on every single thing we promised. I've already reported back to my boss."
Zhao Rui thought of the scene of Yang Hui and Shen Meng leaving the hotel together, and hatred threatened to spill from his chest. He'd had a little to drink, and his eyes were bloodshot.
"Go tell President Li not to worry. At Xinyue Square, if I, Zhao Rui, say Yanghe Commerce can't open a store, then they won't. This spot will go to whoever I say it goes to."
Han Chao quickly flattered him, "Of course. President Zhao has connections in high places. Even the regional management has to show you some respect on this."
"Old Han, let me tell you, my aunt is only thirty-five. She has a lot more room to rise in Xinyue Group."
Han Chao nodded. That was true. At her current pace, it was entirely possible she could become a regional president in the future, or even advance to oversee a major administrative region.
'Looks like I really need to stay on good terms with this Zhao Rui,' he thought. 'If his aunt helps out, the partnership between Futong Commerce and Xinyue Group's Qingjiang Region could become much deeper.'
"President Zhao, when you have time, you should come visit Qingzhou. President Li mentioned on the phone that he'd like to invite you to the company for a visit and a few drinks."
"Sounds good. Once this is all taken care of, we'll head over there together."
Han Chao understood what "together" meant. Once the deal was done, they were going to collect the payoff.
"So, President Zhao, how should we proceed? What do you need from us?"
Zhao Rui, feeling a bit tipsy, clinked his glass against Han Chao's. "What do you need to do? Nothing. I'll just wait for the local store to submit the business proposal, and then my aunt will reject the project during her approval review."
"A rejection, President Zhao?"
Although Han Chao wasn't familiar with Xinyue Square's approval process, he knew that performance was assessed based on rent collection at the regional level. As long as the region as a whole met its targets, approvals from some functional departments at the major administrative level weren't decisive.
Zhao Rui chuckled. "Do you know the terms of Yanghe Commerce's deal for the first-floor space in Xinyue Square? They're absolutely insane. Terms like that have to be rejected. This gives my aunt a perfectly legitimate reason to do so."
Han Chao had no idea what the terms of the deal between Yanghe Commerce and Xinyue Square were, so he immediately asked for details. This was something he could include in his report to Li Yang. His job in channel development wasn't just about maintaining relationships with the client; researching competitors was also part of his duties.
"A 6% pure commission rate. I suspect someone at the store or regional level abused their power for personal gain. As far as I know, terms like these are unprecedented."
Han Chao sucked in a sharp breath. How could it be that low? For such a prime location, if it were offered to Futong Commerce, Li Yang would have accepted a rent of 800 yuan per square meter per month. A 6% pure commission rate... Was Yanghe Commerce secretly owned by Xinyue Group itself? 'That's impossible,' he thought. 'No matter how profitable retail is, a massive company like Xinyue Group wouldn't even bat an eye at that amount of profit.'