Chapter 236 - 191: Let Him Go (2)

Dan Biao felt like he was about to cough up blood. ’You son of a bitch, you give me a pile of impossible tasks, and when I can’t complete them, I still have to take your shit. This job is so damn suffocating.’

"Boss, we went to negotiate. We couldn’t reach an agreement."

"You really are a bunch of fucking losers. Your own subordinate can get it done, but you two can’t. Your own supervisor goes to another company to manage NLB and pulls in 200,000 in sales in a single day. One of you is her manager, and the other is her manager’s manager. The two of you team up, and what’s the result? Wanlong Square does a pathetic 7,000 in sales for me on a weekend. You were still doing over 10,000 last week.

You’re all just taking my money and not doing a damn thing, aren’t you? The more you get paid, the less you work, is that it? A bunch of worthless freeloaders. If you couldn’t get it done, why didn’t you think to find Yang Hui? You know damn well about his connection to President Tian. Why didn’t you use it?"

Dan Biao lowered his head. "I did ask him. He said he’s not responsible for the other brands and refused to get involved."

The loathing on Li Yang’s face deepened. "If he won’t negotiate for the other brands, then just get it done for more of the Airex stores! Are you thick-skulled? If you can’t negotiate rent reductions for the other brands, then negotiate for more Airex locations!"

He looked up, stunned. ’Has President Li lost his mind today? Does he think negotiating rent reductions with Xinyue Square is that easy? They already cut the rent for the stores that are losing money, and now he wants to go after the profitable ones, too? Has he no shame? So just because Yang Hui has connections, he’s going to be squeezed for all he’s worth? Forget Yang Hui—I wouldn’t be willing to do it either.’

"President Li, all the other Airex stores at Xinyue Square locations are profitable. Even the five malls that just got rent reductions are already in the black. That’s because of the marketing support Xinyue Square gave us this month, plus sales from the online store. They would be profitable even without the lower rent."

THWACK! A folder slammed into Dan Biao’s face. His cheeks burned red as he stared in disbelief at the enraged Li Yang. He had actually thrown a folder in his face. In that instant, Dan Biao wanted to leap to his feet and scream, "Fuck you! I quit!" But then he thought of his monthly mortgage payments and his child’s tutoring fees, and he swallowed his pride.

"Xiaodan, you son of a bitch! Are you unhappy that my profits are going up? You think I’m making too much money? Xinyue Group doesn’t know whether my company is profitable or not. Just have him tell Xinyue Group we’re losing money and negotiate the rent reduction! Connections are useless if you don’t use them—they expire! Do you get it, you fucking idiot?"

This was the first time he’d ever seen Li Yang this furious. ’I wonder if his wife is cheating on him or something.’ All Dan Biao wanted was to escape. He lowered his head and said, "Understood. I’ll arrange it immediately."

"Get on it. Now, get out! And remember, make Yang Hui deliver on his value. I want to see new rent reduction deals closed this month. Also, Airex is to do another online livestream—same format as last time. The mall needs to promote it for us and provide spending vouchers."

Dan Biao simply repeated, "Understood." The moment he stepped out of the office, he was already cursing up a storm in his head.

’Li Yang, you motherfucker! Are you even human? The guy takes a salary of 15,000 a month from you and creates how much value, but you’re still not satisfied. You still want him to "deliver on his value"? Yang Hui isn’t your damn father, and even your dad wouldn’t spoil you like this!’

Before he was even out the door, he was called back again. "Arrange it immediately, you hear me? Don’t waste any time. And after you do, report his reaction back to me."

Dan Biao thought Li Yang’s behavior was unusually erratic today. He couldn’t figure out the reason, but he had no choice but to carry out the orders.

Yang Hui was with Zhu Jing and Xia Jie, just having finished lunch, when he got the call from Dan Biao.

"A Hui, can you come back to the office for a bit?"

He glanced at the time. ’It’s already afternoon, what’s the point of going back to the office now?’ "I’m out visiting stores," he said. "It’ll be almost quitting time by the time I get back. I’d rather not come in."

Dan Biao rolled his eyes in frustration. ’Is that any way for a subordinate to talk to his manager? Talk about insubordination.’ But when it came to Yang Hui, all he could do was either coax him or put up with him. "A Hui, President Li has given some new directives. I need you to come back to the office so we can go over them."

’New directives from Li Yang? All the more reason not to go back. I was just looking for an opportunity to fan the flames a bit more anyway.’

"President Shan, we can just discuss it over the phone."

He gestured to the two women, indicating they should head to the store with him.

Since Yang Hui was unwilling to return, Dan Biao had no choice but to relay Li Yang’s instructions over the phone. He had to report back to Li Yang soon, after all.

"A Hui, did you get all that? First, continue negotiating rent reductions for the other Airex stores. Second, Airex is to do another livestream this month, and we need the mall’s promotional cooperation and marketing support."

Yang Hui actually laughed at Dan Biao’s words. "President Shan, I’m not negotiating any more rent reductions. As for the second point, you can tell him that Xinyue Group has allocated all of this month’s livestreaming resources to NLB, so no other brands can do one."

Dan Biao had no idea that Yang Hui was intentionally stirring the pot, seemingly sworn not to rest until he had driven Li Yang into a complete rage.

"A Hui, if President Li finds out about this, he’ll go ballistic."

"Heh. A boss should have some strategic composure, not fly off the handle over every little thing. Anyway, President Shan, I’m still busy here. I’ve given you my answer on both issues. See how efficient communicating by phone is?"

After the call ended, Dan Biao listened to the dial tone. BEEP. BEEP. BEEP. ’Fuck, you two are just toying with me. Being caught in the middle like this is the absolute worst.’

He sat down and poured a glass of water, needing to cool off. ’It feels like ever since Yang Hui joined the company, my authority as director has completely evaporated. And it’s not just me—it’s the same for President Li. Seeing him so explosive every day, I’m honestly worried he’s going to have a stroke from high blood pressure and just keel over.’