Back to the 1970s: Building My Fortune Through Time Trading-Chapter 442: The Bet

"General Manager, what’s going on? It seems unusually quiet today."

Yan Guohua was also puzzled. Yesterday was obviously quite successful, so why is there hardly anyone here today?

As he was contemplating, he saw two middle-aged women carrying a lot of shopping bags walking by.

Anyone can tell they just finished shopping.

"Miss, can I ask where you bought all these items?"

Su Xiaoxiao stopped one of them to inquire.

"Right ahead at First Department Store. They’re having a sale today, items are dirt cheap. If you’re looking to buy, you better hurry; it’ll be gone soon."

Finished speaking, the middle-aged woman walked away with her things.

Su Xiaoxiao and Yan Guohua exchanged looks. No wonder there’s barely anyone here today; turns out First Department Store snatched the customers away.

"That old geezer, he really doesn’t care about face, copying us like that. Come on, Xiao Su, let’s go have a look!"

Yan Guohua swore and stormed off toward First Department Store.

Su Xiaoxiao stood dumbfounded for two seconds before quickly jogging to catch up.

First Department Store is just across the street from Second Department Store, it’s only a five-minute walk.

The two of them didn’t get far before spotting, from a distance, the entrance of First Department Store lined with different stands, similar to theirs, with promotional banners plastered on the walls.

Su Xiaoxiao took a closer look, speechless; it’s straight-up plagiarism, without a shred of their own ideas.

Except, they have a 25% off for three items deal, whereas here it’s directly 25% off. They offer $20 off for every $100 spent; here, it’s $25 off. Their discount is remarkably greater.

"Chen Guangjian, that old scoundrel, shamelessly learns from us. I can’t let this go, I need to confront him!"

Yan Guohua rolled up his sleeves and was about to go find him.

"Old Yan, what brings you here?"

Before he could find anyone, a voice laden with laughter came from behind.

Turning around to see who it was, Yan Guohua was enraged: "Oh, you old geezer! You stole all our customers and have the nerve to show your face here! I’ll fight you!"

Yan Guohua looked around but couldn’t find anything handy; in anger, he took off his shoe and rushed at Chen Guangjian with its sole.

"Old fart! You dare to hit me?"

Chen Guangjian’s face was smacked sideways; veins bulged on his forehead, he immediately disregarded dignity and started wrestling with Yan Guohua.

Su Xiaoxiao was stunned; wait, are bosses supposed to be this fierce in fights?

The crowd forgot about shopping and flocked over to witness the spectacle.

She silently stepped back two paces, pondering if it’s too late to pretend she doesn’t know the general manager.

Two men in their fifties tussling was unexpectedly intense.

Su Xiaoxiao watched in astonishment as Yan Guohua sat on Chen Guangjian, promptly grabbing his collar and slapping him.

Not backing down, Chen Guangjian flipped Yan Guohua to the ground with a fish-like flip.

The surrounding crowd was abuzz.

"Who are these people? Why are they fighting like this?"

"Why do they look to me like the general managers of First and Second Department Store."

"That can’t be right! General managers wouldn’t brawl on the street; they’re not hooligans."

Both fighters heard the murmurs and released each other simultaneously, snorting.

They are not inexperienced rookies now; they care about their reputation.

Chen Guangjian scoffed, letting go: "I’ll spare you today, old man!"

Yan Guohua adjusted his clothes: "You? Spare me? In all the years we’ve known each other, when have you ever beaten me?"

"Never in the past doesn’t mean never in the future."

Chen Guangjian cryptically replied, casting a smug glance.

"Pfft, always copying others, do I fear you?"

Yan Guohua sneered insincerely, "Old scoundrel, care for a bet?"

Chen Guangjian: "Bet on what?"

"Let’s bet on which store, First or Second Department Store, will have higher revenue in the year-end sale? The loser must kowtow thrice to the winner and yell, ’I surrender,’ how about it?"

"Bet it is. Who’s afraid?"

"Xiao Su, come here, write a guarantee for the two of us."

Su Xiaoxiao: Why does she have to be involved in this?

Resigned, she went over, drafted the guarantee, and let the two sign and fingerprint it, one copy for each, temporarily ending the matter.

"Hmph, we’ll see. Xiao Su, let’s go!"

Yan Guohua tucked the guarantee in his pocket, swaggering away with Su Xiaoxiao.

Chen Guangjian turned to a young salesman beside him and instructed: "Keep an eye on them and see what new events Second Department Store is planning. Report to me promptly."

Humph, no trick too sly; I’ll see what activity Second Department Store has; I’ll mimic it for sure this time to win the bet.

Yan Guohua walked briskly back to Second Department Store, entered the general manager’s office, then turned pitifully to Su Xiaoxiao: "Xiao Su, your help is critical. This concerns the reputation of our Second Department Store."

Su Xiaoxiao: Does the general manager think she’s deaf? Clearly it’s two old men betting, what relevance does this have to the department store?

But with the manager’s request, she could only comply.

"Xiao Su, brainstorm for us; what new activity should we hold to attract customers and reclaim the business stolen by First Department Store? Our ability to surpass First Department Store hinges entirely on you."

Yan Guohua looked at her expectantly, eyes brimming with encouragement.

At that moment, Su Xiaoxiao felt like uttering a classic line: Emperor, your servant is incapable!

Is the general manager overestimating her?

Just about to speak, Yan Guohua said, "If we outdo First Department Store in this sale, Xiao Su, I’ll personally add fifty bucks to your year-end bonus."

Su Xiaoxiao: She wants to refuse, but the general manager’s offer is irresistible. Damn! Her greed makes her the one to handle this bothersome task.

"General Manager, here’s an idea: we could run a freebie event."

"Freebie?"

"Exactly! Allow customers to take goods for free?"

Yan Guohua was shocked: "No way, while we want to boost sales, we can’t lose money, right? Xiao Su, are you crazy or am I?"

Su Xiaoxiao instantly realized the misunderstanding and hurried to explain: "Manager, like this: we can set up a raffle wheel at the entrance, allowing every customer shopping at our department store a chance to spin and earn a discount. Whatever discount they draw, they get to buy the goods at that rate, with the top prize being a free purchase."

The idea sparked from a modern app; back then, she exhausted all her relatives and friends to draw the free prize but never won.

Yan Guohua first furrowed his brow, then slapped his thigh: "Excellent, this idea is great! Xiao Su, you truly are our department store’s strategist."

Praised, Su Xiaoxiao blushed, was about to respond, but heard a mocking voice behind.