Yu Guofeng hesitated for a moment before nodding. "We'll do as you say."
Gu Xingdong: "Also, the demolition office might have been quite busy in the past, and it was hard to get appointments. To know the specific compensation amount, we'll need to trouble them to make an announcement."
It sounded good, this talk of being busy, but the real point was probably in the latter sentence.
"That's it?"
Gu Xingdong: "Yes, that's all for now."
Hearing him, Yu Guofeng felt a mix of amusement and speechlessness.
"Alright, I understand. I'll have Secretary Li cooperate with your work. What do you think?"
Gu Xingdong: "That's too kind of you."
Yu Guofeng looked up and swept him with a glance. "You're already bold enough to set conditions for me, what else would you be ashamed of?"
Though he spoke thus, his eyes held a smile.
...
After reviewing the sample garments for the two skirt suits, Chen Lishu was very satisfied and ordered six thousand sets at eight yuan each.
While awaiting delivery, the renovation of the branch store was also mostly completed.
There were no pollution issues yet, so after airing it out for two days to dissipate any odors, Chen Lishu prepared to open for business.
For this, she personally went to invite familiar customers.
"You're opening a branch store so quickly? That's another place for me to go shopping," Sun Yongmei said, expressing her happiness upon hearing about the new store.
"I also have to thank Aunt Sun and Aunt Zhu for their help and introductions. Business will only get better and better. Oh, right."
As Chen Lishu spoke, she took a silver, water-drop-shaped item from her handbag and handed it to Sun Yongmei. "This is the store's VIP card. With this, you'll receive a twenty percent discount at any 'Shu Se' clothing store, no matter which one."
Sun Yongmei knew the word "VIP," usually heard in connection with foreign hotels or on television. She never imagined she would become a VIP herself someday.
Taking the item, she couldn't help but examine it closely with curiosity.
The VIP card was about the size of a button, likely made of pure silver with exquisite craftsmanship. At the top, there was a round hole for attaching a string for carrying. A beautiful pattern circled the edge, with the characters 'Shu Se' engraved inside, followed by a serial number.
The one Sun Yongmei held was 002; Chen Lishu had kept 001 for herself.
She had also worried about the design of the VIP cards. In later generations, VIP cards were mostly made of PVC, but that material wouldn't become popular in China until the nineties.
If she used cardboard, it wouldn't look elegant and would be prone to damage. Later, she thought it would be better to make them from silver. Although the cost was higher, she wasn't making many this time, only ten in total. This would make them not only rare but also highlight the esteemed status of the VIPs.
"The store opens this weekend. For the first three days, there will be special promotions. If you're not busy, I hope you can help me boost the customer traffic."
Sun Yongmei smiled, "Don't worry, I'll definitely be there."
"Thank you in advance, Aunt Sun."
After making arrangements with Sun Yongmei, Chen Lishu visited several other acquaintances. Only after distributing all the VIP cards did she return home.
"I've called everyone here today because there are a few things I want to discuss with you all."
Gu Xingdong addressed the people before him. "The first matter is that the city west planning project will be undertaken by our Hongyuan Company."
"What about your company? You're all birds of a feather, only able to bully ordinary folk like us. None of you are any good." The people's emotions were still highly indignant. As soon as Gu Xingdong finished speaking, someone immediately retorted.
"Yes, no matter who it is, if they want us to move, it's impossible."
"No one is forcing you to move. I know many of you have lived here for decades and have deep feelings attached to this place. Therefore, after discussions, the authorities have decided to offer two options: you can choose to relocate back to the area, or you can choose compensation."
Upon hearing about the relocation option, the heightened emotions of the crowd subsided significantly.
However, someone quickly raised a doubt. "You say we can relocate? We don't believe it. What if you fool us all, and then who will we turn to for justice?"
Everyone else chimed in, "Yes, don't try to fool us!"
"These two individuals beside me are the mayor's secretary and a leader from the demolition office. Not only regarding the relocation, but the demolition compensation will also be paid out in full according to the amounts issued by the authorities," Gu Xingdong said, looking towards Secretary Li and Jiang Huaijin.
Jiang Huaijin had already come to despise Gu Xingdong, seeing him as the reason so many people's financial interests were blocked.
Furthermore, Gao Mingyuan's bank loan had been approved with him handling the contract and mortgage. If everything went smoothly, there would be no issue, but now there was this complication. It was a ticking time bomb. If Gao Mingyuan couldn't repay the loan, it could be exposed at any moment.
He glanced at Secretary Li, and Jiang Huaijin forced a smile. "Yes, Mr. Gu is correct. The agreements will clearly state everything."
The public's concerns were thoroughly resolved. With the option to relocate back, some people immediately expressed their willingness to sign the agreements.
"We heard about the situation at home. This is a small token of our company's goodwill, hoping it can be of some help."
After conveying all the necessary information, Gu Xingdong walked up to a woman and handed her an envelope, then reached out and gently stroked the heads of her two children beside her.
The woman, holding the thick envelope, suddenly teared up, her vacant eyes filling with moisture. She choked out, "Thank… thank you. If you had taken over this project sooner, my old Tian wouldn't have died… wouldn't have died."
Gu Xingdong: "If anyone has difficulties, please mention them. If there are few people able to work in the family, I will arrange for company staff to help during the move."
...
Time flew by, and it was finally the weekend. The branch store's opening wasn't a grand affair. They simply chose an auspicious time and set off a string of firecrackers at the entrance to mark the opening.
As notice had been given in advance, customers began arriving soon after.
"Your store's renovation is really impressive. Without being told, I'd say it's comparable to a Western restaurant," Zhu Jinfeng, Han Shenglin's wife, praised as soon as she entered the store.
Lin Ying, Zhu Jinfeng's sister-in-law, chimed in with a smile, "And that VIP card! When I said it offered a discount, everyone around me was incredibly envious."
She had brought several friends to support the opening.
A well-to-do woman beside Lin Ying turned to Chen Lishu. "By the way, how do you get that VIP card? The craftsmanship is so exquisite. If my Old Lin hadn't said anything, I would have thought it was a necklace pendant."
Chen Lishu smiled. "It was originally intended to reward loyal customers. We didn't prepare many. However, since you are all Aunt Lin's friends, you naturally deserve VIP treatment. Feel free to look around. Whatever you like will be twenty percent off."
Seeing her so straightforward and generous, everyone stopped dwelling on the VIP cards and happily began choosing items.