Chapter 38: Acquiring Hedilao?

“It’s over.”

Manager Wu’s vision darkened. He couldn’t accept this.

Even though becoming the Acting Manager at Ji City seemed to be a same-rank transfer, this was not the case in reality.

After all, Quan City was the territory of Prosperous Flavour. Prosperous Flavour had been operating here for many years and had long been deeply rooted.

On the other hand, Ji City was a newly-established market. Every step the manager took there was like walking on thin ice.

Furthermore, the Vice President was in charge of that shop, but the Acting Manager would be the one in charge. Thus, as the manager, he didn’t have much authority and would be easily blamed.

If it were anyone else, they might feel that their opportunity had come. After all, while it was easy to take the blame, it was also easy to produce results. However, Manager Wu only wanted to live a good life. Thus, to him, transferring to Ji City was like a bolt from the blue.

Manager Wu wanted to explain but Li Xin didn’t give him any chance to do so. He had already walked out of Prosperous Flavor.

…

At Hedilao…

Looking at the crowded scene at Hedilao and then at Prosperous Flavor, Li Xin felt slightly annoyed. Then, he rubbed his cheeks and walked into this competitor’s hotpot restaurant.

After more than 20 days of operations, the service system at Hedilao was much better than it was at the beginning. It had already developed a very mature process.

Therefore, when Li Xin walked in, a waiter immediately came up to him.

“How many people are there in your group?”

“One.”

“Alright, please wait here.”

After receiving an answer, the waiter led Li Xin to the waiting area and handed him a number plate.

“This is your number. You can have your meal once your number is called.”

As the waiter spoke, he pointed to the other side. “There are snacks on the shelf over there. You can eat something to pass the time while you’re waiting. These are all free.”

After doing all these, the waiter stood at the door once again and waited for the next customer.

Li Xin sat down.

Now, Hedilao customers no longer had to wait at the entrance of the shop. Instead, there was a separate waiting area. Furthermore, there were no longer stools inside the waiting area, but individual tables.

Of course, during the busiest periods, even the waiting area was full. Thus, customers could only sit outside.

Li Xin sized up the table in front of him.

The table was very exquisite and looked very classy. There was even a box of napkins on it. At the same time, Li Xin noticed that there was a charging socket beside the chair, as well as two kinds of chargers, Android and Apple.

“They are quite considerate.” Li Xin nodded silently. This service was indeed much better than at Prosperous Flavor.

Then, he got up, scooped himself a plate of snacks, put it on the table where he was sitting, and started eating slowly.

“I can learn the service concept of Hedilao and bring it in to improve Prosperous Flavor.”

“However… The cost of doing so is too high. Perhaps I can open a few flagship stores and use this service method in these flagship stores.”

That was right. The price of Hedilao’s service method was the cost of operating it.

Putting everything else aside, this waiting area could easily fit four or five more tables with careful planning.

It was 6pm and it was time for the seats to be taken. Therefore, the waiting area was soon filled with people. Even the entrance of the restaurant was filled with a few people in line.

Meanwhile, Li Xin’s number was finally called.

“This way, sir.”

The waiter led Li Xin to a two-person table and handed him a menu.

After selecting a few set menus and sending the waiter away, Li Xin continued to observe the shop.

“This layout is not good. It’s too wasteful.”

The distance between the tables at Hedilao was enough for one person to walk through. In Prosperous Flavor, stools were practically placed right next to one another.

“The business is so good. If I were to be in charge of the layout, the daily flow of customers would increase by at least 10%.”

Li Xin shook his head. He felt that the boss of Hedilao was not good at doing business.

The hotpot was served very quickly. Li Xin picked up a plate of mutton and cooked it in the hotpot. Then, he nodded to himself.

“Everyone says that the hotpot at Hedilao is delicious. It’s true!”

After quickly eating until he was half-full, Li Xin did not forget his purpose for coming today.

Li Xin casually grabbed the waiter beside him and said, “Can I see your manager?”

…

In a cafe near Tianda Plaza…

The two people sat opposite each other.

The main character was not Zhao Zhen, but Ye Feng.

“Boss Li, why did you invite me here?”

Just a moment ago, Zhao Zhen had called to say that Li Xin wanted to meet him. Thus, Ye Feng, who had just returned to his dormitory, immediately rushed over.

Ye Feng pondered as he spoke.

As a competitor, it was also because of Hedilao that the Tianda branch of Prosperous Flavor was in such a miserable state.

Of course, that was entirely because of Prosperous Flavor as they had been targeting Hedilao since their opening. In the end, Prosperous Flavor was the one that was being targeted, leading to their demise.

Therefore, Li Xin’s arrival at this time was intriguing.

“Boss Ye is younger than I thought.”

Li Xin stared into Ye Feng’s eyes.

He’d been doing this since the beginning as he wanted to use his imposing aura to suppress Ye Feng. Unfortunately, Ye Feng wasn’t affected at all.

“You’re a 20 year old from He City. The high school that you graduated from was…”

“You’re a freshman at Quan City University’s Computer Science College. I founded the restaurant in June…”

Li Xin described the process of Ye Feng establishing Hedilao with great familiarity.

“Did you investigate me?”

Ye Feng’s eyes darkened.

“It’s just a simple business method. Boss Ye, have you never investigated your competitors?”

Li Xin seemed very surprised.

“Simple business methods wouldn’t be able to find out where my home is.”

Ye Feng said unhappily, “Boss Li, if you have something to say, just say it.”

No one would be happy if they were told about their life experiences in such a familiar manner.

“Alright then.”

Li Xin spread his hands. “My philosophy when doing business is to make money amicably.”

Ye Feng chuckled and declined to comment.

If Li Xin wanted to make money amicably, Li Xin wouldn’t have targeted Ye Feng in such a manner when he had just opened his restaurant.

“Boss Li, don’t say anything if it’s not substantial.”

Ye Feng said directly.

“Boss Ye seems to be an impatient person. To put it simply, I want to acquire Hedilao.”

Li Xin smiled and revealed his intentions.

“Acquire?”

Then, Ye Feng said bluntly, “No!”

“Aren’t you going to hear my price?”

Li Xin asked in surprise.

“I won’t sell it no matter how much you offer.”

Ye Feng stood up. “If you’re here to talk about this, then I’m still very busy, so I won’t waste everyone’s time.”

The development of Hedilao was in full swing. Only a fool would want to sell it now!

Li Xin seemed to have not expected Ye Feng to not give him any face and furrowed his eyebrows.

“Boss Ye, I’ll offer you three million yuan. This price is enough for you to buy a house in He City and live a carefree life!”

“I won’t sell it, no matter how much you offer me!”

Ye Feng refused on the spot.

Did Li Xin really think that he was a university student who had not entered society?

Putting aside the current popularity of Hedilao, just the recipe alone was worth more than three million yuan!

Who was he trying to fool with this price?!

Meanwhile, Li Xin was a little puzzled. According to his intelligence, this Ye Feng was just a child from a village in a small county. Although he didn’t know where he got the money to start Hedilao from, he definitely wasn’t rich.

Why wasn’t Ye Feng moved by this price of three million at all?

“Boss Ye, is there really no room for negotiation?”

“There’s nothing to negotiate about!”

“How about 3.5 million yuan!”

“As I said, there’s no room for negotiation no matter the price!”

“Boss Ye!”

Li Xin panicked.

He really wanted to get his hands on Hedilao. More specifically, he wanted Hedilao’s recipe.

The taste of Prosperous Flavor had always been criticized by others. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have taken them so long only to be unable to topple Jiangnan Flavor.

It could be said that the taste of Prosperous Flavor greatly limited its development!

“The price is four million yuan! I’m not buying your shop, I’m only buying your recipe!”

Ye Feng almost laughed from anger. He had already refused so many times, so why was Li Xin still pestering him?

Furthermore, Li Xin wanted the recipe. If Ye Feng sold his recipe, what else would he use?

Ye Feng was too lazy to say anything. He waved his hand and wanted to leave.

Li Xin’s expression darkened upon seeing this.

“Boss Ye, don’t think that you’re underestimating the whole world just because you won me by a fluke. My restaurant, Prosperous Flavor, has more than 20 shops in Quan City. As for the Tianda branch…”

“Boss Li, are you threatening me?”

Ye Feng stood up and took a deep breath before speaking slowly.

“Don’t think too much about it. I’m just saying that Prosperous Flavor is very powerful. We can be friends…”

“You want to buy it just because we’re friends?” Ye Feng laughed. “Then it’s better not to be friends!”

“Ye Feng!”

Li Xin slammed the table and stood up. “If we can’t be friends, then we can only be enemies!”

“And?”

Ye Feng didn’t even spare Li Xin another glance and simply left after saying this.

“Hmph!”

Li Xin’s eyes flashed dangerously as he watched Ye Feng leave.

“He’s young and reckless…”

To him, four million yuan for a recipe was simply a premium price.

“Let’s see if you’re willing to sell it after I defeat you!”

He was indeed taking advantage of Ye Feng’s young age to get rid of Hedilao once and for all.

However, he hadn’t expected Ye Feng to be so decisive. This caused his plans to fall through completely.

If he couldn’t buy it, then he could only fight it!