Chapter 378 - 228: Preparing for ’Battle

Chapter 378: Chapter 228: Preparing for ’Battle

How could Gao Yue not see through such a transparent attempt to cover things up?

She looked at Chen Xiao with amusement, as if to say, ’You’ve been naughty, and I’ve finally caught you!’

Chen Xiao was unconcerned. He felt no guilt toward them whatsoever. ’What’s there to have a guilty conscience about?’

’If Zhao Xiangjun were sitting across from me, she could probably override the negative effects of my Endurance Value on the spot!’

Chen Xiao pretended to listen along. Lin Ya’s line of thinking had indeed surprised him, but on second thought, it was perfectly logical.

The previous strategy had been based solely on rental income, which was why they had brought in so many gold and jewelry stores.

Now, the approach was centered on the mall’s shopping atmosphere, creating a more rational brand mix, and providing a better consumer experience.

Once the direction was set, Lin Ya, a true business powerhouse, was leagues ahead of Chen Xiao when it came to execution.

That’s why Chen Xiao was only suited to be a hands-off manager, the big boss who sets the direction but doesn’t interfere with the specific operational processes.

He handled the strategy; the tactics had to be left to these professional "generals" to work their magic.

When it came to work, even Gao Yue grew serious. Although they were discussing commercial real estate, there were still aspects she could learn from.

Besides, Gao Yue’s hotel management division also involved some brand collaborations.

Ultra-luxury hotels always had high-end boutiques, and Gao Yue realized she could introduce these brand resources to Lin Ya.

Watching the two of them getting along so well, Chen Xiao sipped his tea. One moment, his gaze would drift to their ample chests, the next, to their pale, shimmering thighs. In his mind, his Endurance Value began to stir restlessly again.

He even started to think, ’They work so well together. Maybe they shouldn’t have to take turns in the future. I could just take them on at the same time. After all, with my abilities, even both of them together would be a piece of cake!’

’Why bother dealing with them one by one?’

As Gao Yue and Lin Ya conversed, Gao Yue, who was sitting across from Chen Xiao, would occasionally glance his way. She noticed his eyes were fixed, staring at her and Lin Ya’s thighs.

She sighed to herself, ’This boss is so improper!’

’He doesn’t even have the decency to restrain himself in front of two of his female subordinates!’

She glanced at the time. The banquet was about to start.

Gao Yue asked Lin Ya, "President Lin, will you be going down for dinner, or will you eat here?"

Gao Yue had to go down for a bit. After all, she was a senior executive and needed to make the rounds and offer toasts to other company leaders.

It was the same for Lin Ya. Only she and her vice president of business were representing the Junxiao Square Second Store at the annual meeting, so she certainly had to take him to toast the leadership.

But even without those obligations, with Gao Yue asking, it would be improper for Lin Ya to stay behind alone. Wasn’t that a breach of etiquette?

’If Number Three isn’t even around, what is Number Four supposed to be doing?’

So, Lin Ya said, "I just came up to report to the boss about the first-floor tenant adjustments. I’ll be heading down for dinner in a moment."

Chen Xiao was speechless. ’So it’s true,’ he thought. ’One beauty, and you’ve got a great view. Two beauties, and you get nothing at all!’

"Go on, then. If the food down there is no good, you can come back up and eat. The spread up here is better than yours!"

Gao Yue shot him a glare. ’Still hoping we’ll come back up,’ she thought. ’His wicked intentions never die!’

Now that they were gone, Chen Xiao felt a little out of place all by himself in the massive room.

Given the circumstances tonight, Xu Wu definitely wouldn’t be able to come up. She had just sent a message to Chen Xiao saying as much.

With Chen Xiao, the big boss, not in attendance, Xu Wu had to be downstairs to manage the leaders and guests from all levels, as well as to encourage all the top executives.

Fewer people attended this Junxiao Group annual meeting compared to the event at Dr. Feng’s Industrial Park, but those who came were all heavy hitters.

The second-highest-ranking official from Hanjiang Province and Jiangzhou’s top official, Jiang Fan, were both in attendance.

They placed great importance on Junxiao Investment Group, which, despite having been established only recently, had already become a leader in Jiangzhou’s business community.

This was especially true because many of Junxiao Group’s investments were in high-tech sectors—the low-altitude economy, robotics, and intelligent driving—all of which are focal points in the current rivalry with the United States.

Here was a company willing to shoulder the mission of our times, to march forward under a heavy burden along a path that was difficult and winding, yet ultimately bright.

As the number two official in Hanjiang and the number one in Jiangzhou, Ma Mingbo and Jiang Fan naturally had to be there to show their full support. After all, this meant jobs, tax revenue, and political achievements.

Especially when Xu Wu announced the group’s development plan for the coming year—an investment of 120 billion—the two officials had never witnessed a move on such a massive scale.

This deeply shocked everyone in attendance. Their elation that Hanjiang and Jiangzhou had such a company was beyond words.

One could say that as long as Junxiao Group stayed on the right side of the law, the company would be the crown jewel of Hanjiang Province and Jiangzhou City. Anyone who dared to touch it would have them to answer to.

Furthermore, Xu Wu wouldn’t even have to ask; they would be granted every favorable policy available.

The top officials had never imagined they would stumble upon such a massive "gold mine" at the end of the year with no prior warning.

How much GDP would this one company generate?

The two officials heaped praise upon Junxiao Group and treated Xu Wu with the utmost respect.

Down in the audience, a crowd of powerful figures who were used to calling the shots in their own right were instantly transformed into President Xu’s devoted admirers.

They watched President Xu command the stage with awe.

In stark contrast to the thunderous applause downstairs, Chen Xiao sat looking at a table laden with sumptuous dishes, feeling a surprising sense of desolation.

’No one to keep me company. How pitiful!’

All the ladies were currently unavailable. They were, after all, the leaders of their respective teams and had to guide them in toasting the various executives and officials.

But Zhao Hui was available. So, he was "conscripted" by Chen Xiao—and was more than happy to be so.

He explained the situation to Xu Jun, saying President Chen had summoned him. Since everyone at the Junxiao Square Store was Xu Jun’s former subordinate, and Xu Jun was now the store’s nominal general manager, he could lead the team just as well.