Chapter 28
Chapter 28 Expanding the Jewelry Business
In Bei Enterprise Jewelry Shop, it took three consecutive days of hard work for them to finish cutting all the gemstones that Wang Feng bought back.
This batch of pure gemstones turned out to be exactly as Wang Feng had claimed. Not a single piece of impurity could be found. All of them were jadeites of the highest value.
The purchase of the jadeites gemstones cost roughly one hundred million. Now that the gemstones had been cut into jadeites, their value would at least be around three to four hundred million.
Even that was merely based upon the estimated price of the raw gemstones. If they further processed the jadeites and made jewelry out of them? Their value would continue to rise.
Bei Enterprise Jewelry Shop really hit the jackpot this time because of Wang Feng.
“Wang Feng, you’re the biggest contributor to our jewelry shop this time. So I’ve decided to split the profits and give you a hundred million. You won’t think that’s too little, right?” Bei Yunxue said with a persistent grin.
The annual revenue of the entire Bei Enterprise Jewelry Shop was roughly ten hundred million. Taking away costs and expenses, the gross profit increased to around three to four hundred million.
But this time Wang Feng helped Bei Enterprise Jewelry Shop earn almost an entire year’s profit in just a few days. Bei Yunxue had no reason to be unhappy with that outcome.
As for splitting the profits with Wang Feng, it was entirely her own idea. At the same time, she figured Wang Feng deserved the reward. So long as they had Wang Feng, future profits would be far greater than the current profits.
Bei Yunxue hoped to use the reward money as a means to bind Wang Feng to her side.
“I’ll let you decide, Sister Xue,” Wang Feng said. Wang Feng had not been too surprised at Bei Yunxue’s offer of one hundred million. Given how knowledgeable he had become, a reward of one hundred million was pretty much nothing.
Besides, he believed his future wealth would not amount to just that.
“Oh, yeah. There’s something else. Sister Xue, is it true that you’re ready to start a new branch after this?” Wang Feng suddenly asked.
Bei Yunxue glanced at him. “Yeah. Although Bei Enterprise Jewelry Shop had considerable annual revenue, we’re still a far cry from corporate giants like Hua Lian Jewelry Shop. That’s why I’m ready to start a new branch.”
The decision to launch a new branch had been made a long time ago. It had to be done, since she hired Gu Ping as store manager.
A long silence ensued. Wang Feng knew launching a new branch proved feasible, but he also knew that just one branch would not generate much extra revenue.
His target went beyond that. Here in Zhu Hai City, Hua Lian Jewelry Shop was the top dog whereas Bei Enterprise was merely a store.
If they wanted higher revenue, doing so with only two little stores was obviously impossible.
“Sister Xue, how about this. We will launch a new branch, that’s fine. But the new branch needs to be at least 5 times the scale of the current branch. Since we’re going big, we might as well go as big as we can. Go big, or go home,” Wang Feng said, his eyes gleaming brightly.
Wang Feng’s statement shocked Bei Yunxue. Not that she never entertained such ideas. But it would be very challenging indeed to expand Bei Enterprise Jewelry shop at such a grand scale.
The jewelry business had been delegated to her by her family. The implication was clear. It was meant to be a test. By letting her run the jewelry business, her family tested her. That was why she avoided using her family’s influences at all costs. Whatever she did, she relied on herself.
In the past, her plans had merely been to ensure the steady increase of the shop’s annual revenue. She did not dare imagine expanding the size of the business.
“That’s a fine idea. But if we were to go big, first of all, you need to consider this isn’t something Hua Lian Jewelry Shop would allow. Will that be too big of a risk?” Bei Yunxue asked a little concerned.
“Don’t worry,” Wang Feng said. “Hua Lian Jewelry Shop will eventually get out of our way. If they try to stop us, I’ll make sure they go bankrupt!” Wang Feng’s tone rose slightly cold.
Hua Long already tried to mess with him twice. Although Hua Long might not be looking to cause him anymore trouble for the time being courtesy of He Tian, it was still impossible for Wang Feng to just let go of his need to avenge what Hua Long did to him before.
One should always avenge oneself when necessary. That practically became Wang Feng’s principle of life. Since he decided to be involved in the jewelry business, he needed to eliminate all possible obstacles.
With his X-ray vision, he could prevent Bei Enterprise Jewelry Shop from any losses. The same could not be said for Hua Lian Jewelry Shop though…
“Don’t worry, Sister Xue. Leave Hua Lian Jewelry Shop to me. You just worry about getting the store up and running. Sell out this batch of jade and use the profits to fund the launching of our new branch.”
Almost instantly, another thought crossed his mind. “Sister Xue,” he said, “do you think you’re able to sell out these jades?”
“Well, you don’t have to worry about the sale of raw materials. My family would buy them. How about this, then? You invest the one hundred million reward that I had promised you just now, while I invest another hundred million. Then we’d be launching the new branch as partners of equal shares. How does that sound?” Bei Yunxue asked, staring at Wang Feng.
“I was thinking the exact same thing,” Wang Feng said with a slight smile.
If he were to expand the jewelry shop, it was impossible for Wang Feng to not own part of the shares. Even if Bei Yunxue had not mentioned it, he himself would have brought it up.
It would be impossible to be wealthy through employment alone. One had to run his own business.
“Okay. Then I’m afraid we’ll have to put the new branch on hold for the time being. It’s not easy to find a suitable location in a place like Zhu Hai City. It’s even more difficult to find one with a reasonable price,” Bei Yunxue said and laughed bitterly.
At her words, Wang Feng laughed. “Haven’t we met Brother Yao the other time? With his status, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find a place, should it?”
“Oh, yeah. You’re right,” Bei Yunxue said. Everything looked brighter all of a sudden. Only now did she remember she still had the support of an important figure like Yao Cheng.
“With his help, this shouldn’t be too big of a problem,” she thought.
Bei Yunxue and Wang Feng arranged a meeting with Yao Cheng that same day.
In Tian Yu Hotel, Yao Cheng’s eyes darted back and forth between Wang Feng and his companion. After that, a meaningful smile formed on his face. “I wonder what business could have two people with such busy schedules to meet with me today?”
“Brother Yao, let’s not beat around the bush. Today, both of us are here to ask you for a favor,” Wang Feng said. Yao Cheng’s darting eyes unsettled him a little. He could not decide whether to cry or to laugh under the scrutiny of those eyes.
“Just lay it all out if there’s anything. I can’t help you if it’s to kill someone or to set a place on fire. Other than those, I believe I still can be of use to you,” Yao Cheng said, taking a sip of coffee and leaned back in his chair.
“Well, it’s like this. Both of us are prepared to launch a new branch for the store. The scale and size of the new branch should be around 5 times that of the current store. So, we were wondering if you have some ideas regarding the location of our new store,” Wang Feng said as if he had full authority to speak on Bei Yunxue’s behalf.
“That’s it?” Yao Cheng’s eyes went wide as he stared at Wang Feng and Bei Yunxue in slight disbelief.
“Yeah, that’s it,” Wang Feng said, nodding.
“Well, then you have nothing to worry about. I’ll make sure to keep an eye out for you. It probably won’t take longer than ten days for me to get back to you.”
“But if you do this, wouldn’t it piss off Hua Lian Jewelry Shop? Unless you guys have already decided to act against them?” Yao Cheng asked. There was a look of intrigue on Yao Cheng’s face, as if he wished for chaos in the world.
“For the time being, we won’t take any actions against them. But if they cause trouble for us, it’s natural that we’ll have to do something.” Wang Feng laughed coldly and went on, “Bei Enterprise Jewelry Shop will take the world by storm. If we want to do it, we’ll become the biggest jewelry business in the entire Zhu Hai City. Hell, we’ll establish ourselves as a chain store in the future. Whoever stands in our way will be considered our enemy!”
A tremor coursed through Yao Cheng’s body the moment Wang Feng opened his mouth to speak.
But he recovered quickly and barked out a loud laugh. “Alright, then,” he said. “Since my brother is acting all domineering and badass, I, as your big bro, will give you an answer tomorrow. Though might I be so bold as to ask you something else? Since you’re launching a new branch, have you prepared enough funds? “If you don’t have enough, you know I can always lend you a bit.”
“Brother Yao, you don’t have to worry about that. For now, we have a starting fund of two hundred million. Even if that’s not enough, it wouldn’t be too big of a problem,” Bei Yunxue said quickly.
Yao Cheng glanced at the woman whom he regarded as a little sister. “Haha. Oh, no. That’s not what I meant at all. Since you’re partnering up to launch a new branch, I was wondering if I could shamelessly ask to be a part of the venture?” he asked a little sheepishly.
“If Brother Yao is interested, then I’ll gladly welcome it,” Wang Feng said nonchalantly.
Indeed, a fund of two hundred million was enough to get the store up and running. But of course, if Yao Cheng could invest his portion in it, then it would definitely be better. After all, if Yao Cheng owned a share in this, everybody would think twice before making any attempts to sabotage Bei Enterprise Jewelry Shop in the future.
“Very well, then. I’ll put in thirty million for now. As for the amount of shares that I own, I’ll leave it up to you,” Yao Cheng said and gave a nonchalant shrug.
“It would be a great thing indeed if Brother Yao is interested to make an investment. Of course we wouldn’t swindle you when giving out the shares. We’ll divide the shares based on the ratio,” Bei Yunxue said with a smile.
She knew someone like Yao Cheng very well. If he had a part in this, it would make things so much easier for Bei Enterprise Jewelry Shop in the future.
Putting aside the fact that his involvement would prove a great asset in other places, Yao Cheng’s words carried enough power within Zhu Hai city at least. Everyone around gave face to him.
“Haha. Since you guys are looking for a place to set up a store, it’s best for me to go back first then. Plus, I wouldn’t want to get in the way of your celebration.” Yao Cheng laughed and turned to leave their booth.
“Brother Yao, what are you even on about?” At Yao Cheng’s words, Bei Yunxue face turned into something resembling a burning cloud. In an instant, she flushed right down to her neck. Even Wang Feng was stunned at the sight.
Outside, Yao Cheng’s loud guffaws could be heard, though the sound grew more and more distant.
“Sister Xue, let’s head back as well.” Yao Cheng’s words caused Bei Yunxue to blush a furious crimson. Wang Feng himself was rather thick-skinned and would not go so far as to blush. But he still felt a little bit awkward in that moment.
“Hm,” Bei Yunxue said with a nod, though her voice was lower than the humming of mosquitoes at that point.
The sky darkened now, so the two of them did not return to the shop. They took a cab back to No.1 Zhu Cheng instead.
On the way, Wang Feng gave big brother a call and told him about the delay of the new branch’s launching. Wang Feng asked him to wait things out for now.
Gu Ping had no doubts regarding Wang Feng’s words, so he agreed.
After all, he endured things for such a long time. This little bit of extra time proved nothing compared to that.
When they got home, it was already a little past nine. That crazy woman, Tang Airou, had yet to return, so the house was empty. Wang Feng secretly felt relieved by that.
That crazy woman was seriously way too scary. Heck, even Wang Feng feared her. What a waste it would be if he somehow got chopped to death by her.
In fact, he could even say that the crazy woman gave him a little trauma.
Bei Yunxue went to take a bath while Wang Feng turned on the TV out of boredom.
On the screen, a typical Korean drama showed. Wang Feng lost interest in it immediately. Only women watched that kind of show. As if he would be interested in it.
He switched to a random channel. This time, however, whatever shown on the screen captured Wang Feng’s attention. The screen showed some kind of post gun-fight scene. The reporter said that Zhu Hai City’s police force took down a drug ring in one fell swoop, gunning down multiple people in the process.
The scene changed after that, and Wang Feng saw something totally unexpected. He saw that crazy woman, Tang Airou.