Back to the 1970s: Building My Fortune Through Time Trading-Chapter 443: Cooperation

"Thought it was some great idea, but it’s just this, tsk tsk."

Yan Guohua turned around and saw it was Chen Guangjian again. This old fellow dared to come and steal ideas? And doing it so openly, too shameless.

"Old man, do you have any shame left? You’ve copied us before, now you want to copy us again, right?"

"I just did, so what? There’s no rule saying only your Second Department Store can use this method."

"You’re just twisting words, old man! I’m going to fight you!"

Su Xiaoxiao was truly surprised; the usually mature and steady general manager also had moments of losing his cool.

The dignified two general managers bickering like kids, no one would believe it if they heard.

"Come on, if you have the guts, hit me! Last time I let you off, this time I’ll knock your teeth out!"

Chen Guangjian wasn’t backing down at all, and seeing the two about to fight again, Su Xiaoxiao quickly intervened.

"How about this, managers, why don’t we consider collaboration between our First Department Store and Second Department Store?"

She had just tentatively suggested it, and both of them spoke up at the same time.

"No way!"

"Not a chance!"

In some ways, they were really quite in sync.

"Managers, listen to my explanation. If we continue like this in the current situation, we’ll only end up in a price war. Prices will keep dropping, profits will shrink. Even if one of our stores wins eventually, the profits will be negligible. Doesn’t that all amount to wasted effort?"

"Moreover, Binhe City doesn’t only have our two department stores. If other stores join the competition, prices will just keep getting slashed, and then none of us will make money, losing money just for reputation. Is that the result you want?"

Both of them exchanged a look and fell silent together.

Yan Guohua cleared his throat and spoke first, "Xiao Su, tell us how this collaboration would work."

Chen Guangjian snorted, "Who’s the one planning to collaborate with you? There’s no way."

"There are more department stores in this city than just yours. I said collaboration, and did I say it has to be with your store? Such arrogance."

"Old man, what did you say?"

Seeing them about to argue again, Su Xiaoxiao quickly stopped them, "Managers, don’t rush, listen to me."

"If the two stores collaborate, we can avoid malicious price cutting and ensure profits for our department stores. Then we can clear out inventory and increase profits. It’s a win-win situation."

"If other department stores want to compete maliciously, we’d stand a better chance two against one, right?"

She finished speaking, waiting for the two leaders’ reaction.

Chen Guangjian’s face darkened. Competing with Yan Guohua for over ten years, the thought of calmly sitting down to collaborate truly felt uncomfortable.

But the young lady had made valid points.

Seeing his elongated face, Yan Guohua thought the old guy wouldn’t agree, and he internally scoffed, looking at Su Xiaoxiao, "Mr. Xiao Su, your suggestion is good. Since they aren’t interested in collaborating, why don’t we go to Third Department Store? I believe if we show sincerity, they’ll surely agree."

Saying this, he was about to stand up.

Seeing him about to leave for real, Chen Guangjian quickly called out, "Old man, stop right there! Who said I wouldn’t collaborate with you?"

He just took a bit longer to consider, but never said no.

Yan Guohua knew he would agree eventually; he was pretending all along. These days, truth and lies all depend on acting skills.

In fact, there was no deep-seated hatred between the two, just a youthful competitive spirit.

However, on the surface, he showed no emotion, expressionless, as he returned to his seat, "Alright, since you strongly demanded, I’ll reluctantly agree."

"What’s with reluctantly? Many people are vying to partner with our First Department Store. You see a glimmer and really start shining?"

Seeing the atmosphere tense up again, Su Xiaoxiao quickly intervened.

"Managers, from now on we’re partners. How about a handshake?"

She sincerely suggested, expecting them to disagree, but surprisingly, they agreed.

"Fine, let’s shake hands."

Yan Guohua extended his hand first, and Chen Guangjian scoffed, "As if I’m scared."

The two quickly shook hands just for show, then released promptly.

Su Xiaoxiao felt there should be a photo of the moment, unfortunately, she didn’t have a camera.

"Congratulations to both managers, from today our department stores are partners."

Both snorted in unison, indicating agreement.

Chen Guangjian asked, "Mr. Xiao Su, since we’re now in the same boat, couldn’t you tell me more about the free-of-charge event?"

Yan Guohua’s face darkened. This old guy agreed to the collaboration probably just for this?

He was trying to fleece them in front of him.

Su Xiaoxiao looked toward Yan Guohua, "General Manager, now both stores prosper or fail together. Naturally, the event must be done together. I’ll explain to General Manager Chen, you have no objection, right?"

Considering he just agreed to collaborate, Yan Guohua begrudgingly agreed.

And so, in the afternoon, both department stores launched the free-of-charge event simultaneously.

The moment the event debuted, it exploded.

Lines at each store stretched several miles away.

It’s like buying a lottery ticket, everyone feels they could be that lucky one.

In reality, the chances of winning were like finding a needle in a haystack.

After finishing with the event, Su Xiaoxiao remembered the matter of the spicy sauce factory and hurried to find Yan Guohua in his office.

She believed those spicy sauces like chili and beef sauce, once sold in department stores, would be very popular.

Coincidentally, when she was about to find him, Hu San and Chen Hai had also cleaned up and arrived.

Both had shaved, washed their faces, and even changed into new clothes.

Su Xiaoxiao looked them over with satisfaction for a moment and said, "Let’s go, I’ll take you to see the general manager now."

Neither had met any high officials before, and hearing they were about to meet the department store’s general manager made them a bit nervous.

Su Xiaoxiao led them straight to the manager’s office and knocked on the door.

"General Manager, it’s me, Xiao Su. Is now a good time to come in?"

Soon, Yan Guohua’s voice came from inside, "Come in."

Yan Guohua had always admired Su Xiaoxiao for her contributions.

Su Xiaoxiao entered, explained her purpose to Yan Guohua, and was about to introduce the two behind her when she noticed they were missing.

Turning her head, she saw them peeking through the door crack.

Su Xiaoxiao was amused, "You two aren’t coming in, just guarding the door?"

These two were now bosses, but still fearful of meeting the leader?

They could only cautiously enter the office.