Chapter 14: Annual Raise of One Million

The announcement of the strategic briefing immediately stirred considerable ripples within the city's business community.

Everyone wanted to know: what were this young man's plans for Xingyao Department Store after swallowing Tianhai Group's core assets? Was he content to hold steady, or would he make an even more astonishing move?

Hongyuan Group offered no public response for now, but Qin Feng learned through Chen Yongming's channel that Li Zehong had privately dismissed the briefing as "a brash kid's stunt for attention."

Qin Feng said nothing in reply. Verbal contempt was often the beginning of failure.

The day before the briefing, Qin Feng used the Blessing Key and gained the effect of Aura Enhancement (Minor), deepening his already composed demeanor with an undeniable aura of authority. He then used the Skill Key—this time, luck favored him: he randomly received a trial card for Language Proficiency (Master Level). Though the briefing was in Chinese, this mastery over language gave him superior control to structure his words and amplify the atmosphere.

At ten a. m. that day, the flagship store's atrium, simply decorated, was packed to capacity. Local mainstream media, finance professionals, supplier representatives, and even curious citizens crammed the venue to bursting. Cameras and microphones were all trained on the minimalist, high-tech stage ahead.

Qin Feng wore a custom-tailored dark blue suit, every detail perfected by Su Wenqian. Under Gao Yuan's silent protection, he walked onto the stage with calm composure.

Without lengthy preliminaries, he stood at the center of the stage, his gaze calmly sweeping the audience. The aura strengthened by the Blessing Key naturally radiated outward, instantly silencing the earlier noise.

"Thank you all for coming today," Qin Feng spoke, his voice clear and resonant through the microphone, carrying a peculiar magnetism and persuasiveness. "I am Qin Feng, the new owner of Xingyao Department Store."

A simple self-introduction, yet brimming with powerful confidence.

"Many ask me: why acquire Xingyao Department Store? To prove something? Or merely as a financial investment?" He paused slightly; the entire audience leaned forward.

"My answer is: none of the above," Qin Feng declared firmly. "I acquired Xingyao because I believe in the future of physical commerce—and more importantly, because I see the immense potential hidden within Xingyao Department Store itself. What it needs is not patchwork repairs, but a complete, revolutionary rebirth!"

"Rebirth?" A murmur rippled through the audience.

"Yes, rebirth." Qin Feng took the laser pointer handed to him by a staff member and pointed to the massive screen behind him, where a meticulously crafted PPT and concept video began to play.

"My plan is to invest an initial sum of 500 million yuan to comprehensively upgrade the 'smart + experience' capabilities of three Xingyao stores!" His voice rose, charged with passion and power. "We will introduce cutting-edge AI shopping assistants, cashierless payment, virtual fitting, and immersive entertainment shopping experiences! We will dismantle the traditional department store counter model and create more open, themed social and consumption spaces! We will collaborate with the most dynamic domestic and international emerging brands, designer labels, and even intangible cultural heritage creators to forge unique product power!"

The future store concept images displayed on screen fused technological sophistication with artistic vision, sparking awe and murmurs of admiration from the audience.

"But this is not all," Qin Feng shifted tone, dropping an even heavier bombshell. "To bind Xingyao Department Store more tightly to this city and to everyone who supports it, I announce—"

He fixed his gaze on the audience: "Effective immediately, Xingyao Department Store will establish the Starlight Growth Fund! I myself will inject 100 million yuan into this fund annually!"

The audience erupted in shock! 100 million yuan per year?!

"The fund's purpose is as follows," Qin Feng gestured for silence. "First, to subsidize merchants—especially innovative small and medium-sized businesses—reducing their operating costs and growing alongside us!"

"Second, to improve compensation for all employees! Starting next year, the base salary of every qualified full-time employee will—" He deliberately stretched the pause, watching the Xingyao staff members leaning forward, tense and alert, then declared each word with precision:

"Increase by one million yuan annually!"

"And after tax!"

Boom!

The entire venue exploded like a bomb had detonated!

A one-million-yuan raise every year?! After tax?! How was this possible?! It was pure fantasy!

Reporters frantically snapped photos; finance professionals stared in disbelief; supplier reps exchanged stunned glances; in the Xingyao employee section, silence fell for a heartbeat—then erupted into incredulous shouts and ecstatic applause. Many veteran employees wept with emotion.

One million yuan per year! What did this mean? It meant even the most ordinary sales clerk, if they worked hard, could become a millionaire within a few years! What audacity! What a staggering move!

"Quiet, please, everyone," Qin Feng's voice rose again, carrying a calming force.

The venue gradually fell silent. Everyone gazed at the young man on stage as if he were a deity.

"Every word I've spoken today will be written into our corporate charter and subject to oversight by all employees and the law!" Qin Feng's tone was ironclad. "My goal is not merely to build a successful business—but to create a platform where every participant shares in its growth! Xingyao's glory belongs to all of us!"

"Of course," his tone darkened slightly, "high returns demand high standards. Xingyao does not harbor slackers or mediocrities. We will implement the strictest Performance Evaluation and Elimination Mechanism: the capable rise, the average step aside, the incompetent fall! If you work hard enough and perform well enough, Xingyao will give you everything you dream of!"

A blend of benevolence and authority—grand in vision!

The audience erupted again in thunderous applause—this time, not just Xingyao employees, but even many journalists and industry insiders clapped involuntarily! His words, his scale, had utterly shattered their understanding of business and employment!

The briefing, broadcast live across all major media and online platforms, spread instantly across the entire internet!

"Mysterious billionaire Qin Feng announces Xingyao Department Store's rebirth plan!"

"Injecting 100 million annually! Xingyao Department Store establishes Growth Fund!"

"The Richest Boss Ever! Xingyao Employees Get One-Million-Yuan Annual Raise!"

Explosive headlines catapulted Qin Feng and Xingyao Department Store into the national spotlight. The phrase "annual raise of one million yuan" surged to the top of trending searches at terrifying speed.

Envy, jealousy, skepticism, admiration—voices flooded the internet—but undeniably, Qin Feng's name and his image as a Shenhou had become deeply embedded in public consciousness. Xingyao Department Store's visibility and social attention reached unprecedented heights!

After the briefing, Qin Feng received a call from Sun Zhe backstage.

"Mr. Qin, the briefing was a phenomenal success! Our public image and brand value have skyrocketed! Also…" Sun Zhe's voice trembled with excitement and disbelief, "during the briefing, the profits from our short positions in Hong Kong stocks have all been credited—and because of your announcement of massive investment and salary increases, three venture capital firms have contacted me directly, expressing extreme confidence in Xingyao's future and seeking to join the next funding round. Their valuation… is very high!"

Qin Feng smiled faintly. Everything unfolded exactly as he had anticipated. Using money to clear the path, and vision to win hearts—this was the simplest, most effective method.

He glanced at his system interface.

【Wealth Prediction Unlock Progress: 45%】

【Super Technology Unlock Progress: 52%】

Unlock progress had surged again!

Yet as he turned to leave, Chen Yongming hurried over, his face grim, whispering low:

"Mr. Qin, we just received word. After watching the briefing, Li Zehong of Hongyuan Group smashed his office in rage. And… we've traced the massive secret funds mobilized by Hongyuan Group—they appear to have flowed into several… short-selling institutions."

Qin Feng's gaze sharpened.

Short-selling institutions? Targeting… Xingyao Department Store, which had just announced major good news? Or perhaps… himself?

It seemed Li Zehong wouldn't stop until he saw the coffin.

A cold smile curled on Qin Feng's lips.

Want to short me? Then let's see—whose capital is deeper, yours or my system and luck?

The covert battle in the business world was about to ignite.