Chapter 421 - 242: Entering the Palace

Chapter 421: Chapter 242: Entering the Palace

This wasn’t adding water, this was adding fuel to the fire.

Chen Xiao felt like he was about to combust.

After filling the cup, Lin Ya walked over to Chen Xiao and placed it on the coffee table.

Chen Xiao couldn’t resist sneaking another peek. Lin Ya’s face flushed red, and she quickly got up to return to her seat.

But her head was spinning, and she wasn’t paying attention. She tripped and started to fall forward.

With lightning-fast reflexes, Chen Xiao grabbed her and yanked her backward, preventing her from falling.

But he used too much force, and Lin Ya, caught off guard, stumbled backward into his arms, landing squarely on his lap.

"Ah—"

It was history repeating itself.

Time seemed to stand still.

The second hand of the wall clock went TICK-TOCK. Lin Ya felt Chen Xiao moving in time with it.

She didn’t dare to move, lowering her head as her face burned red.

’She had no idea what to do in a situation like this.’

’This wasn’t the office; no one would interrupt them again.’

Chen Xiao’s face was flushed crimson. While his subconscious reaction had provided some release, an even more powerful desire now seized his mind.

He finally lost control. With a low growl, he pushed Lin Ya back onto the armchair and threw up her dress.

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「Luocheng Junxiao Square, General Manager’s Office」

General Manager Dai Ming summoned Huang Fei, the Deputy General Manager of Business.

"President Lin is coming to Luocheng this afternoon. Make the arrangements to receive her, and get the evening’s hospitality sorted out ahead of time."

’President Lin is coming for an inspection?’ Huang Fei suddenly tensed up.

He recalled the rumors: President Lin was the former general manager of Tianlong Square, as well as the daughter of Lin Jian, the chairman of Lifan Business Management Company.

After Tianlong Square was acquired by Junxiao Business Management, Lin Ya had chosen to come under its banner as well.

Rumor had it she was a real hard-ass, the kind who couldn’t tolerate even a speck of dust in her eye. Under her management, despite Tianlong Square being such a prime property, the leasing staff couldn’t find a single loophole to exploit.

Aside from getting some gift vouchers or freebies from the tenants during the holidays, there was no other "gray income" to be had.

Huang Fei and his buddies even used to pity those guys when they were out to eat. Occupying such a prime spot, yet unable to profit from it themselves. What a waste!

Huang Fei had a natural aversion to a personality like Lin Ya’s.

After agreeing to handle Dai Ming’s arrangements, Huang Fei said with a laugh, "President Lin is pretty incredible. I just never figured she’d be the one in charge of this region."

"She’s the general manager of Junxiao Square Second Store. It’s considered a natural succession, I suppose."

Huang Fei said, "In terms of experience and ability, I’d say you’re the one who’s really suited for that position, President Dai."

Dai Ming sneered. "I don’t have that kind of talent, nor do I dream about it. Just hurry up and make the arrangements. She could arrive any minute."

Huang Fei returned to his office and immediately summoned Lu Guangming and the operations manager.

After instructing the operations manager to pay close attention to operations on the mall floor, he sent her out.

"Boss, we’ve already got offers for those few spots that opened up in the gold and jewelry section!"

Lu Guangming said with a fawning, subservient smile.

Huang Fei glanced toward the office entrance. Lu Guangming took the hint and immediately went to shut the door tight.

"Boss, one hundred thousand per storefront!"

Liu Hui had quoted him 100,000 per storefront. He also said he would kick back the difference between the lowered rent and the original annual rent of 500 yuan per square meter per month. But Lu Guangming didn’t tell Huang Fei about that part; he only mentioned the 100,000.

"Then arrange a time to process it. Does the other party have any requests?"

Lu Guangming said, "They’re hoping the rent can be lowered a bit."

Huang Fei replied, "If they ’handle things nicely,’ make it 420 yuan per square meter per month. If they’re difficult, make it 460. That’s already much lower than the current rent."

They didn’t give rent reductions on renewals, so they were lowering it under the pretext of "providing initial support to attract a new brand."

Of course, to meet the Group’s performance target of keeping rent collection level with the previous year, they would transfer the difference from this rent decrease onto other brands that were renewing their leases.

Lu Guangming instantly understood what "handle things nicely" meant. There was a widespread rumor that he enjoyed frequenting Business KTVs, but what people didn’t know was that Lu Guangming was just Huang Fei’s frontman.

"I’ll go relay the message now!"

Lu Guangming turned to leave.

"Come back."

Lu Guangming stepped back.

"Keep a low profile for the next couple of days. With President Lin coming for an inspection, we can’t have any trouble. She’s not someone to be trifled with."

"I’ve never met President Lin, but the legends about her are wild. They say she’s the great beauty of the Han River business circle."

Huang Fei laughed. "Not the business circle, the commercial real estate circle. But what they say isn’t an exaggeration. I saw her once. A stunning beauty, just a little cold. Not easy to get close to."

"With her status and position, it’s only normal for her to be a bit cold," Lu Guangming said.

With a sigh, Huang Fei added, "Yeah. Back in the day, countless tycoons in commercial real estate were drooling over her, but none of them had a chance. She’s a powerhouse herself, why would she give those old men the time of day?"

"Sigh. It must be hard for a goddess like that to find a man she’s actually into."

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「Wanhong Square」

General Manager’s Office

Xia Bin sat on the sofa. In the host’s chair beside him sat General Manager Miao Lei.

Four Seasons Clothing was now on the brink of total collapse. A few days prior, Miao Lei of Wanhong Square had called Xia Bin to discuss coordinating with a mall promotion.

Xia Bin had agreed to give his full support almost instantly. He deeply cherished his partnership with Wanhong Square, because it was a foothold he really couldn’t afford to lose.

At this moment, he was still unaware that Miao Lei was about to leave his post, and Miao Lei was unaware of the feud between Xia Bin and the Junxiao Group.

It was a matter of professional courtesy, and besides, as a general manager on his way out, he also had to build up his own network of connections.