100: Chapter 100: If you hadn't hooked up with that rich woman, would this order have even ended up in your hands?

The meeting room was silent.

Qian Yunfa came to his senses and realized he had been too emotional just now, feeling a bit helpless inside.

It was just that... that "Dudu Mouth" theme song had dealt a deep blow to his no-longer-young heart.

He felt the company was doomed!

He was going to lose his job!

Losing his job at an age where he was already half-buried in the grave was truly distressing!

"Hahaha! I said too much!"

Qian Yunfa picked up his teacup and toasted Qin Xun in the air.

"Mr. Qin, I'll substitute tea for wine and offer you my apologies!"

He drained the cup in one gulp.

Qin Xun laughed heartily, picked up his own teacup, and downed it in one go.

"Mr. Qian, it is my good fortune to be taught a few things by an elder."

Qian Yunfa chuckled along and continued.

"At first, I was very angry when I heard the quote of 10 million."

"However, after the company promotional video you filmed, 'I Endorse Myself,' went viral online, not only did I not feel slapped in the face, but I was actually quite happy."

"I asked you what that thing was."

"You replied to me, 'My name is Qin Xun, and I endorse myself.'"

"At that moment, I felt that you might be a lucky star sent by heaven to help Dudu Tea, so I immediately submitted an application to the group."

"Proposing that the brand upgrade and transformation of Dudu Tea be handed over to you!"

Qin Xun laughed again and said solemnly.

"Mr. Qian, I will let you know that the only downside to expensive things is that they are expensive."

Qian Yunfa was slightly stunned and muttered to himself.

"Damn it! I was just being polite, and you're already putting on airs?"

"If it weren't for you latching onto a wealthy woman, would this contract have ever landed in your hands?"

However, his face was full of smiles. He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and pointed to Sun Hua beside him.

"Mr. Qin, as for marketing, Manager Sun is the professional. Let him have a brief chat with you next!"

Qin Xun looked at Manager Sun and nodded in greeting.

"Hello, Manager Sun!"

"Hello, Mr. Qin!"

Manager Sun offered a brief greeting and went straight to the point.

"Since the opening of the first store, Dudu Tea has grown to over 2,000 stores nationwide. I have been leading the marketing department, personally handling the promotion of this brand the entire time."

Qin Xun nodded.

"Manager Sun is impressive."

Manager Sun gave a bitter smile.

"From the outside, Dudu Tea seems decent, but those of us in the chain tea business know that this level is far from enough."

"The reason we were able to expand rapidly and open 2,000 stores in three years is, firstly, Mr. Qian's capable leadership, and secondly, the backing of the financially powerful Xia Group."

"The problem we are facing now is, which way should we go next?"

"It's a question of whether to go left or right."

Qin Xun was taken aback and turned to look at Xia Ning.

What the hell is the Xia Group?

Xia Ning stood beside him expressionless, not even looking in his direction, as if she hadn't noticed his gaze at all.

Manager Sun coughed.

Qin Xun quickly turned his head back to look at Manager Sun.

The smile on Manager Sun's face faded quite a bit, seemingly dissatisfied with Qin Xun's distraction just now, but his voice remained firm.

"Dudu Tea is now standing at a crossroads."

"The company is divided into two factions. One side is for continuing to expand, increasing the number of stores, and broadening brand influence."

"Open the stores first, occupy favorable locations, then wear out the other stores, and finally start making insane profits."

Qin Xun smiled. He understood; the simplest explanation for a so-called business war is stealing money from a competitor's pocket.

Manager Sun continued, "Of course, there is another faction."

"They believe we should reduce the number of stores, close down the unprofitable ones, and only keep the profitable ones."

"Prioritize profitability first to give the Xia Group some confidence so they will continue to invest money in the company."

"When the market environment improves later, we can expand again."

Qin Xun smiled and said nothing.

He knew that for some chain restaurants and convenience stores, the initial investment is actually very high, and they might not be profitable for two, three, or even five years.

They need to throw money at the market in hopes of making a huge profit later.

Manager Sun's suggestion of closing stores to implement refined management and increase revenue was also a rational approach.

But once store closures begin, it could trigger a series of issues, such as negative rumors from the outside and instability within the company, which could then lead to even bigger problems.

When the market becomes suitable for the bubble tea industry to expand again, trying to reopen the stores that were closed... that would not be a matter of just two or three years!

Manager Sun sighed.

"Just as our company was arguing incessantly, the group's board of directors gave us an ultimatum."

"They only gave us half a year. If there is no improvement in half a year, he will withdraw capital at the end of the year."

"Leaving us to be responsible for our own profits and losses, or to sell the business to stop the losses."

As soon as he finished speaking, Qin Xun saw Mr. Qian shake his head helplessly.

"It's my incompetence. I've spent so much of the group's money in two years, and in the end, I haven't achieved profitability, not even reaching the most basic break-even point."

He stared into Qin Xun's eyes.

"But autumn and winter are coming soon. In just half a year... sigh... honestly, I think Chairman Xia was being polite."

"He probably just doesn't want to invest any more money."

Qin Xun nodded, indicating his understanding.

Qian Yunfa rubbed his hands, his voice filled with unwillingness.

"The current tea beverage market is actually quite good. Various large and small bubble tea brands are busy with brand upgrades, taking advantage of the wave of national consumption upgrades."

"I think if we hold on a little longer, we will eventually make it."

He gave a bitter smile.

"Unfortunately, Chairman Xia has lost patience."

Qin Xun's attention was not on this, however; he turned to glance at Xia Ning, who was standing to the side.

He then looked at Qian Yunfa and asked seriously, "Chairman Xia?"

Qian Yunfa found it a bit strange, glanced secretly at Xia Ning, and then looked at Qin Xun, saying, "Yes, Chairman Xia!"

Qin Xun caught that subtle glance from Qian Yunfa and guessed about 80-90% of the truth in his heart. So, this sly fox Xia Ning was hiding such a secret.

He sneered inwardly, but his face showed nothing.

Qian Yunfa looked at Qin Xun and asked, "Mr. Qin, we have now secured 10 million in brand upgrade funds from the company. Honestly, this should be our last stand."

He leaned forward, his expression grave.

"I would like to know, do you have a preliminary concept for the brand upgrade and transformation of Dudu Tea?"

Hearing this, Qin Xun smiled and said, "Make it bigger and stronger, create brilliance."

Qian Yunfa was stunned. Listening to this slogan that sounded like something a fool would say, he felt a bit helpless.

"Then what is the specific direction?"

Qin Xun answered immediately, "From store renovation, product structure promotion, to brand marketing, we will make changes in all aspects."

Hearing these professional terms, Qian Yunfa knew he understood some things, and he felt much better.

But then he heard Qin Xun say, "While other bubble tea brands are taking the opportunity of national consumption upgrades to drive their prices up..."

He raised his voice.

"We are going to drive our prices down!"