hotmtlnovel Chapter 1468 It's not certain who will lose out between us.
Chapter 1468 It's not certain who will lose out between us.
It was already evening when the plane landed at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport. The southern air carried a moist warmth, quite different from the chill of late winter in Beijing. Through the window, the silhouettes of palm trees swayed in the twilight on both sides of the airport runway.
The four collected their luggage and walked out of the terminal. It was already dark, and the airport lights were gradually coming on, illuminating the bustling crowd. A long line of taxis stretched out, the sounds of horns, voices, and luggage wheels mingling together, creating a unique kind of hustle and bustle characteristic of southern cities.
"Here I am! President Qin! Sister Ya Jing!"
A clear female voice came from the roadside. Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw a black Santana sedan parked on the side of the road. A young girl was standing next to the car waving. The girl was wearing a beige business suit, with long hair flowing down her shoulders, delicate features, and her eyes curved into crescents when she smiled.
"Hua Mei!" Zhao Yajing greeted her with a smile and gave her a hug: "Have you been waiting long?"
"No, I just arrived a little while ago." Hua Mei said, taking the luggage from Zhao Yajing's hands, and then nodded to Qin Hao, "President Qin."
Qin Hao smiled and nodded: "Thank you for your hard work."
Old Xie's eyes lit up the moment he saw Hua Mei. He rushed over, a bright smile spreading across his face.
"Oh my, this must be Miss Hua Mei! I've often heard Ya Jing mention you, and seeing you in person today, you truly live up to your reputation—you're even more beautiful than in the photos!"
He reached out to shake Hua Mei's hand. Hua Mei hesitated for a moment, then politely extended her hand, but Old Xie turned and held it firmly.
"Mr. Xie, you flatter me." Hua Mei tried to pull her hand away, but found that Mr. Xie was holding it very tightly, and a hint of embarrassment flashed across her face.
Seeing this, Zhao Yajing grabbed Old Xie and pulled him back, saying in an annoyed tone:
"Old Xie, put away your tricks! I've always said that a rabbit doesn't eat the grass near its burrow, but you're specifically targeting the people around me!"
As she spoke, she didn't forget to give Hua Mei some instructions:
"Hua Mei, this kid is no good. He's a womanizer. Be careful, don't let him fool you."
Mr. Xie then cried out that he was wronged:
"Ya Jing, you're really hurting my feelings by saying that! Am I the kind of person who isn't picky about food? It's just that Miss Hua Mei is too beautiful, and it's impossible not to fall for her!"
As he spoke, he winked at Hua Mei.
Hua Mei covered her mouth and chuckled, clearly not disliking the flattery. She opened the trunk and helped everyone put their luggage in, her movements swift and efficient.
Zhao Yajing and Qin Hao exchanged a glance, both seeing helplessness and understanding in each other's eyes.
Well, it seems this little girl can't escape Xie Lao's clutches.
Neither of them spoke again. They knew Xie Laozhuan too well—although he was a womanizer, at least he wasn't the kind of scumbag who would take advantage of someone and then leave them to their fate.
As for Hua Mei, Zhao Yajing knew her very well—this girl looked quiet, but she was actually very shrewd, not the kind of little girl who would be easily swayed by a few sweet words. She wasn't chosen for her pretty face to stand out from so many applicants and become Zhao Yajing's secretary.
Let's just consider it a lesson they both taught each other. Thinking this, Zhao Yajing opened the back door of the car.
"Da Mao, sit in the back."
Yang Shuma nodded and got into the back seat. Qin Hao followed him in. Zhao Yajing sat in the passenger seat.
Old Xie tried to move closer to the passenger seat, but Zhao Yajing glared at him and stopped him. He reluctantly opened the other door on the back and sat down next to Qin Hao.
The car started and drove into the Guangzhou night.
In the 1980s, Guangzhou was already at the forefront of China's reform and opening up. The streets were lined with signs. While it couldn't compare to the prosperity of Hong Kong, it already possessed a much stronger commercial atmosphere than Beijing. Numerous small stalls belonging to individual vendors could be seen along the roadside—selling clothes, snacks, repairing shoes—their calls rising and falling in a constant stream.
Mr. Xie chatted with Hua Mei the whole way, talking about everything from the weather and food to tourist attractions in Guangzhou and Causeway Bay in Hong Kong. He never stopped talking. Hua Mei responded politely while driving, occasionally giggling at his jokes.
Yang Shumo was completely captivated by the view outside the window. He clung to the window, his eyes wide, staring at the towering buildings and unique architecture he had never seen before, exclaiming in amazement repeatedly.
"My goodness, this building is so tall! It must be twenty or thirty stories high!"
“That’s the White Swan Hotel, Guangzhou’s first five-star hotel, which just opened last year.” Hua Mei glanced at him in the rearview mirror and introduced with a smile, “It has twenty-eight floors.”
"Twenty-eight stories!" Yang Shumo gasped. "Living so high up, aren't you afraid of falling?"
This made everyone in the car laugh.
"Silly Mao, do you think you live in a tree? You're going to fall down." Old Xie turned and punched him with a laugh.
Yang Shuma scratched his head sheepishly.
The car turned onto a relatively quiet street and finally stopped in front of a three-story building. The building was a brick-and-mortar structure with a beige exterior, looking somewhat old, but it was very clean. The ground floor was occupied by shops, which were already closed, while the windows on the second and third floors were lit.
"We're here." Hua Mei turned off the engine. "This is our dormitory. The conditions are a bit basic, but it's close to our workplace and the surrounding area is lively. If you don't feel like cooking, it's very convenient to eat out nearby."
Qin Hao bought this small building last year specifically to use as dormitories for management personnel. Although the appreciation potential of real estate in Guangzhou is not as great as in Shenzhen, it is still a good investment—in another ten years or so, the value of this building alone could multiply several times.
The four of them got off the car and carried their luggage upstairs. There were three rooms on the second floor and three rooms on the third floor. Each room was about fifteen or sixteen square meters, furnished with a bed, a table, a chair, and a wardrobe. Although simple, it had everything one would need.
What surprised Yang Shumo the most was that each room had a private bathroom, which, although small, was equipped with a toilet and shower. There was also a black-and-white television on each floor, placed in the common living room.
"This is pretty good!" Yang Shumo threw his luggage on the bed and plopped down. The mattress was just the right firmness, much more comfortable than the wooden bed he slept on in Beijing. "There's a TV and a separate toilet. It's more comfortable than my home!"
He genuinely felt that way. In Beijing, his family of eight squeezed into three single-story houses. In winter, they had to run to the public toilet at the entrance of the alley to use the restroom, their bottoms numb from the cold. In summer, it was hot and humid, and there were countless mosquitoes. Compared to that, this place was simply paradise.
Old Xie didn't seem to feel anything. He'd been in Guangzhou for a year and was used to it. He opened the window, lit a cigarette, and leaned against the windowsill, puffing out smoke.
"Alright, stop showing off. Hurry up and get ready, let's go eat. I'm starving."
After putting down their luggage and quickly washing up, the group went downstairs to a nearby restaurant they frequented.
The restaurant wasn't big, with only seven or eight tables, but it was very popular and almost full. The owner, a man in his fifties from Qingyuan surnamed Chen, immediately greeted Qin Hao and his group warmly when they entered.
"Mr. Qin, Ms. Zhao, it's been a long time! Did you go back to Beijing for the Chinese New Year?"
"Yes, Mr. Chen's business is still booming." Qin Hao smiled and shook hands with him.
"Thanks to you, things are alright." Boss Chen said, leading them to a table by the window: "The usual?"
"The usual, add two more of our signature dishes." Qin Hao nodded.
"Okay! Coming right away!"
Mr. Chen turned and went to the kitchen to give the order. A short while later, the waiter brought over several cups of hot tea.
Qin Hao picked up the teacup, blew on it to cool it down, took a sip, then put the cup down and said seriously:
“Starting tomorrow, Lao Xie will continue to stay in Guangzhou and be in charge of the eight branches here. Da Mao will go to Shenzhen with Ya Jing to open the branch. I have already rented the store in Shenzhen and the renovation is almost done. We just need manpower and equipment.”
He paused, then continued:
"From now on, I'll be shuttling between Guangzhou and Hong Kong. But I'll mainly focus my energy on Hong Kong. I'll come to Guangzhou two days a week to train the staff. As for Shenzhen, I'll also visit regularly after the branch opens, but it's mainly up to you guys."
Neither Xie Laozhuan nor Yang Shumo had any objections to Qin Hao's arrangements. Xie Laozhuan was already used to working in Guangzhou and knew the ropes well. Yang Shumo, on the other hand, was full of anticipation and eager to try—opening a branch in Shenzhen would be a chance to be in charge on his own.
But Zhao Yajing was still a little uneasy. She glanced at Qin Hao, hesitated, and finally couldn't help but say something:
“You’d better behave yourself in Hong Kong…”
She didn't spell it out, but the meaning was clear—she didn't mention Shi Xiaona's name in front of Yang Shumao.
Old Xie immediately understood. He slapped his thigh, a mischievous grin on his face, and leaned closer to Qin Hao:
"Hey Qin! You're one to talk, huh? So you've been having your share of womanizing in Hong Kong too! Let me tell you, you know the policy: 'Confess and you'll be treated leniently, resist and you'll be punished severely'! Tell me honestly, what really happened?"
Yang Shumo also looked at Qin Hao with surprise and teased:
"Old Qin, I thought you were an honest man, but I never expected that even someone as handsome as you couldn't resist the sugar-coated bullets of capitalism!"
"What kind of nonsense is this?" Qin Hao slapped away Old Xie's hand that was resting on his shoulder, and glared at Zhao Yajing. "Eat!"
"Feeling guilty!" Old Xie chuckled. "Oh dear, now I'm cleared of all charges! From now on, let's see who dares to say I'm dishonest. I'll just use Old Qin as a shield!"
Zhao Yajing looked at Yang Shumao, who was grinning foolishly, and felt a struggle in her heart.
Should we tell this silly Mao about Qin Hao and Shi Xiaona?
She knew that Qin Hao had feelings for Shi Xiaona, and the two often met in Hong Kong, so it was hard to guarantee that they wouldn't develop feelings for each other over time.
If we tell Yang Shumo, will he be able to handle it? After all, Shi Xiaona was his former lover, and she's a hurdle in his heart.
But if I don't tell him, won't he feel even worse when he finds out on his own? What if the brothers fall out then?
After much deliberation, Zhao Yajing ultimately gave up on the idea.
After all, Qin Hao and Shi Xiaona hadn't crossed the line of friendship. If she were to bring it up, it might backfire. Moreover, even if Qin Hao and Yang Shumo didn't fall out, their relationship certainly wouldn't be as harmonious as it is now. She didn't want to ruin things because of a slip of the tongue.
"No," Zhao Yajing muttered to herself, "I still need to find an opportunity to bring Sha Mao to Hong Kong. Even if I can't get back together with Shi Xiaona, at least he can keep an eye on him for me."
The "he" here naturally refers to Qin Hao.
As Zhao Yajing was thinking, the dishes arrived. Boss Chen personally placed a plate of poached chicken on the table.
"Boss Qin, have a taste! This is a free-range chicken that was just killed today, it's incredibly fresh!"
"Thank you, Mr. Chen." Qin Hao nodded with a smile.
The four of them picked up their chopsticks and began to eat. Guangzhou cuisine is light and delicious; the poached chicken had crispy skin and tender meat, and it tasted absolutely wonderful dipped in ginger and scallion sauce. There was also steamed sea bass, lettuce with oyster sauce, and a slow-cooked soup—each dish was incredibly appetizing.
Yang Shumo ate with sweat pouring down his face, remarking as he ate:
"This Guangzhou cuisine is really good. It's lighter than Beijing cuisine, but the taste is just as good."
"Of course," Old Xie said proudly. "You've only scratched the surface! There are so many delicious things to eat in Guangzhou! I'll take you out for dim sum tomorrow—shrimp dumplings, siu mai, chicken feet—I guarantee you won't want to leave!"
"Really? Then it's a deal!" Yang Shumo's eyes lit up.
Qin Hao looked at them, smiled, and said nothing. He ate while mentally planning his next move.
The Shenzhen branch needs to open as soon as possible, and the Hong Kong listing plan also needs to be put on the agenda. And those courtyard houses in Beijing need some time to be renovated…
One thing after another came up, but he didn't feel tired. On the contrary, he enjoyed the feeling of being busy. In this era full of opportunities, every bit of effort could bring ten or even a hundred times the reward.
……
The next morning, Zhao Yajing took Yang Shumao to Shenzhen. Qin Hao, on the other hand, stayed in Guangzhou to provide pre-job training for the relatives and friends brought by the employees.
There were more than twenty new employees this time, all of whom were relatives and friends of the previous employees. Most of them were young, the youngest being only seventeen years old and the oldest no more than twenty. They were all dressed simply, their eyes revealing both anticipation and trepidation for the future.
The training took place at one of Burger King's largest branches. Qin Hao stood at the front, holding a training manual, patiently explaining:
"What are our core values at Burger King? They are 'Customer First, Quality First.' This is not just a slogan; it is something that must be implemented in every detail."
He picked up a hamburger and unwrapped it:
"Look, the buns for this hamburger must be baked fresh that day, not left overnight. The patty must be fried until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, not too overcooked or too raw. The lettuce must be fresh, and the tomato slices must be evenly sliced. The sauce must be spread evenly, not too much in one place and too little in another."
"Each burger, from grilling the bun to packaging, must be done in no more than three minutes. If it takes more than three minutes, the taste will deteriorate, and customers will not be satisfied."
"And then there's the service attitude. When customers come in, you have to greet them with a smile. When taking orders, you have to be patient. It's okay if you don't understand Cantonese, just speak slowly or use gestures. When taking money and giving change, you have to announce the amount received and given, and you can't make any mistakes."
Qin Hao explained everything in great detail, from operational procedures to service standards, from hygiene requirements to safety regulations. The new employees listened attentively, some even taking out notebooks to take notes.
The training lasted a full week. Theory was explained during the day, and practical exercises were conducted at night. Qin Hao taught them step-by-step, correcting each one individually. Some employees learned quickly, some slowly, but he treated them all patiently and never lost his temper.
A week later, the new employees began their trial period. Qin Hao stood in the store, watching their slightly awkward but earnest demeanor, and nodded in satisfaction.
With this influx of new talent, the eight branches in Guangzhou will have more staff. Once they are proficient, some of them can be transferred to Shenzhen to support the branches there.
After the training, Qin Hao set off for Hong Kong.
……
Spring in Hong Kong is warm and humid. The sea breeze from Victoria Harbour carries a salty scent, blowing against the towering skyscrapers of Central. The streets are bustling with traffic and pedestrians, a scene of vibrant prosperity.
After arriving in Hong Kong, Qin Hao immediately organized the business situation of each branch during the Chinese New Year period.
Hong Kong is now a very mature commercial society, and even the Lunar New Year doesn't have a significant impact on Burger King. Moreover, after children receive their New Year's money, they like to buy snacks like fried chicken and fries. So, although burger sales plummet during the Lunar New Year, sales of fried chicken, fries, and milk tea are enough to make up for it.
Overall, Burger King's revenue did not fluctuate significantly over the past month. With 32 branches, the average daily revenue per store remained around HK$5,000, resulting in a total monthly revenue of nearly HK$5 million.
However, expenses were significantly higher than usual. After all, it's the Lunar New Year, and social obligations need to be managed. Employees need year-end bonuses, landlords need New Year's gifts, and relationships with both the legitimate and underworld figures need to be maintained.
Take the underworld, for example. Burger King branches are all over Kowloon and Hong Kong Island, and almost every street has triads collecting protection money. Although Qin Hao is a skilled fighter, he can't possibly subdue them all one by one. Hong Kong's triads are deeply entrenched, and a single move can have far-reaching consequences. As long as they collect their money legally and prevent other triads from causing trouble, Qin Hao is willing to pay to avoid some problems.
Every month, the "patronage fee" for this aspect alone costs HK$200,000.
After settling the accounts for the past month, Qin Hao began to work on the next step of his plan.
Burger King's store market is gradually reaching saturation. Although Hong Kong is bustling, the area is limited, and there aren't many good locations left for opening branches. Qin Hao estimated that he could only open a maximum of twenty or thirty more branches before he couldn't open any more.
However, sixty-odd branches are not enough to make Burger King a publicly listed company. Qin Hao estimates that at least one hundred branches are needed to achieve sufficient scale and influence to attract investors.
Qin Hao and Zhao Yajing discussed this issue during the Chinese New Year. They ultimately came to the conclusion: to open a chain of milk tea shops.
First, milk tea enjoys a broad following in Hong Kong. The history of milk tea consumption in Hong Kong can be traced back to the 17th century. Legend has it that Lin Zhixian, an official in Guangzhou, first added milk to tea when entertaining Dutch envoys on Hong Kong's Stone Slab Street. This unique way of drinking tea was quickly brought back to the Netherlands. In 1680, the Duchess of York introduced the fashionable Dutch style of tea drinking—adding fresh milk and sugar to tea—to England, which became a trend, especially popular with the British royal family and nobility.
By the 20s, tea restaurants began to become popular on the streets of Hong Kong. In Causeway Bay, there was a tea restaurant called "Sun Kee Tea Restaurant." The owner had previously worked as a chef in a Western family. He found English milk tea too sweet and the milk tea at dai pai dongs (open-air food stalls) too rough, so he tried using Assam tea as a base and adding evaporated milk. At that time, tea restaurants had open kitchens, allowing customers to see the owner brewing the tea, and gradually it gained fame.
When it comes to Hong Kong's first milk tea chain, it has to be "Lan Fong Yuen". Cai Lan, one of Hong Kong's four great talents, once said: "If you don't drink Lan Fong Yuen, you've wasted your trip to Hong Kong."
However, whether it's "Xin Ji Tea Restaurant" or "Lan Fong Yuen," their business model is still that of a traditional tea restaurant, and they don't have many branches. Qin Hao, on the other hand, wants to follow the modern milk tea chain model.
The advantages of this model are obvious: low investment, quick results, and rapid expansion.
All you need is a 20-square-meter store, or even just a stall. You can open it anywhere there are many young people—near schools, commercial streets, downstairs from office buildings, or even right next to Burger King.
At that time, Burger King could simply switch its drinks to Coca-Cola. This wouldn't affect Burger King's business at all; in fact, the two stores could complement each other. Customers buying burgers could also grab a milk tea to quench their thirst, and customers buying milk tea might also buy a burger to fill their stomachs.
Moreover, the milk tea shop can share the same raw material suppliers as Burger King, and employees don't need additional training. One experienced employee can train two new employees, and the milk tea shop is ready to open.
Low cost, high profit, and rapid expansion—this is practically a project tailor-made for an IPO.
Qin Hao had even thought of a name for it: "Tea Yan Yue Se".
Just do it.
Qin Hao immediately took action. He first registered the "Cha Yan Yue Se" trademark, and then began selecting a location, decorating, purchasing equipment, and recruiting employees.
Qin Hao adopted a minimalist and modern design for the milk tea shop. The main colors are white and light wood, complemented by some green plants, creating a fresh and natural look. The preparation area is completely open, allowing customers to see the process, ensuring cleanliness and hygiene.
In terms of products, Qin Hao also made innovations. In addition to traditional Hong Kong-style milk tea, he also launched a variety of flavors such as pearl milk tea, pudding milk tea, and coconut milk tea. Moreover, each cup of milk tea allows customers to choose the sweetness and ice level to meet the needs of different customers.
What's most unique is Qin Hao's innovative "cream topping"—a thick layer of cream squeezed on top of the milk tea, then sprinkled with chocolate powder or colored sugar granules. It looks beautiful and tastes even sweeter.
This idea later became the signature feature of "Tea Yan Yue Se".
In just one month, three Chayan Yuese stores officially opened. Two were located next to Burger King, and one was located opposite a middle school.
Initially, some older Hong Kong residents were not fond of "Cha Yan Yue Se". They were used to the strong tea flavor of Hong Kong-style milk tea and felt that "Cha Yan Yue Se" milk tea was too sweet and lacked tea flavor.
Some people even complained at the store entrance:
"This can be called milk tea? It's more like sugar water!"
However, it's irresistible to young people. Especially middle school students and young girls, who are absolutely enamored with "Cha Yan Yue Se" (a popular bubble tea brand). They love the cream topping on the milk tea; it's delicious, looks beautiful, and makes them feel special.
The business of "Tea Yan Yue Se" is getting better every day.
When the accounts were settled in April, the results surprised everyone.
The three "Tea Yan Yue Se" stores achieved a total monthly turnover of HK$21. While this is not as high as Burger King's turnover, the profit margin is astonishingly high—nearly 54% net profit!
This means that the initial investment in the milk tea shop was fully recovered in just one month!
When Zhao Yajing saw the report, her hands trembled with excitement. She rushed into Qin Hao's office with the report in her hand, without even knocking.
"Old Qin! Look! Look at this!"
Qin Hao was looking at the documents when he looked up, took the report, glanced at it, and a smile appeared on his face.
"Great. Even better than expected."
"That's more than just good!" Zhao Yajing exclaimed excitedly, her face flushed. "This is the path to making a fortune! At this rate, we'll have fifty branches by the end of the year! And a hundred next year!"
She became more and more excited as she spoke, and suddenly hugged Qin Hao tightly, giving him a big kiss on the cheek:
"Old Qin! You're awesome! We're going to be rich!"
After the kiss, she realized what she had done, and her face flushed red to her ears. She tried to pull away, but Qin Hao reached out and grabbed her waist.
"What?" Qin Hao looked at her with a half-smile: "You think you can just run away after taking advantage of me?"
Zhao Yajing was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed. She had originally thought Qin Hao would push her away or awkwardly change the subject. Unexpectedly, he actually stopped her.
What does it mean?
Zhao Yajing's heart suddenly raced. She looked at Qin Hao's face, so close to hers, and in those deep eyes, there seemed to be emotions she had never seen before surging.
She composed herself, then provocatively lifted Qin Hao's chin, leaned close to his ear, and whispered:
"What can you do to me if I don't run?"
A warm breath brushed against his ear, carrying a woman's unique fragrance. Qin Hao's breath hitched slightly.
"Even a clay Buddha has some temper," he warned through gritted teeth. "Do you really think I wouldn't dare touch you?"
Zhao Yajing playfully hooked her arm around Qin Hao's neck, her red lips slightly parted, her voice carrying a seductive undertone:
"Then go ahead and touch it. I want to see if you dare."
"Aren't you afraid that I'll turn on you like I did with Old Xie, and then forget about you after we're done with our relationship?" Qin Hao stared into her eyes.
Zhao Yajing laughed heartily, exuding an aura of dominance:
“I, Zhao Yajing, am not someone who can’t live without a man. Besides, it’s not certain who will suffer a loss between us.”
These words ignited a fire in Qin Hao's heart.
This can't be tolerated.
He scooped Zhao Yajing up in his arms, ignoring her gasps, and strode toward the lounge behind the office. As he passed the desk, he swept all the documents off the floor.
Documents were scattered all over the floor, and papers were flying everywhere.
But he couldn't care less about any of that anymore.
The door to the lounge was closed, isolating it from the outside world.
Outside the window, Hong Kong is bathed in the glow of streetlights, neon lights shimmering. This city that never sleeps continues its bustling activity.
In this small room, a long-brewing passion finally broke through the defenses of reason, erupting like a volcano. (End of Chapter)