Chapter 199: The Bustling Old Jinren Alley Market (8)

After Xiao Han left the group chat, everyone put in some effort and finally raised the funds to bid against the company.

During that time, Xing and others also helped Shang Ziwei and a number of snack shops coordinate, and through this operation they incorporated most of the snack shops into the logistics network.

With the support of these shops, Xing felt even more confident in confronting the company.

On the day of the bidding meeting, everyone went to Tianbo Office and formally began debating with the company team led by Xiao Han; as long as they could argue past them, they would gain the judges' support.

"Next, please both sides explain the business philosophy of Jinren Xiang to the evaluation committee at Tianbo Office," Yu Kong looked up at Xiao Han, "Young master, you start; let us hear your plans and considerations for Jinren Xiang."

Xiao Han nodded and, with a pleasant smile, looked at Xing and the others: "Greetings, members of the Jinren Xiang Chamber of Commerce."

Xing's gaze hardened, hands on hips: "What if we're not good enough?"

"Uh… " It hit him like a blow to the head; the opening left Xiao Han at a loss, and he awkwardly wiped his sweat: "Are you sure you want to start refuting me from the very first sentence?"

——

Attack on Titan.

"Puff… Xing has completely become a rebuttal personality now."

Armin couldn't help but laugh out loud; he had expected a serious debate inside Si Chen Palace, but didn't anticipate Xing immediately start goofing around.

"A rebuttal personality—what is that?" Eren looked at him, puzzled.

"Hmm… how should I explain it to you? Let me give you an example," Armin thought for a moment, "Who do you think is the strongest human?"

"Isn't that easy? Of course it's the Squad Leader," Eren instantly pictured the towering short giant in his mind.

"Wrong!"

Armin crossed his arms, a slight smile at the corner of his mouth: "It's Levi."

"???" Eren was shocked, "Aren't we talking about the same person?!"

"It's the same person," Armin explained, "That's a rebuttal personality: regardless of whether what you say makes sense, it instinctively pushes back at you first."

"Um… but why do that?" Mikasa's mind was a bit bewildered.

"Who knows, maybe Xing simply wants to attack the opponent's mindset?"

——

"The company is willing to go further, fully develop the dock's logistics effect, and turn Jinren Xiang into a galaxy-renowned commercial port."

"Can Jinren Xiang really accommodate interstellar cargo ships?"

"To build the merchant ship port, most shops here need to relocate out of Jinren Xiang," Xiao Han nodded, "We will also replan the entire commercial district layout, ensuring the port is spacious enough, and its throughput will not be less than Liu Yun Ferry."

"Rest assured, the relocated shops will receive appropriate compensation; the amount is so large that everyone will have smiles on their faces."

"The company is wielding its financial power again…" Su Shang realized she was about to be swept away by their words again, quickly shook her head, "Wait, shouldn't we ask the Jinren Xiang shops for their opinions?"

Xing threw the Jinren Xiang shops' intention survey at the opponent: "Most of the shops here have partnered with the Chamber of Commerce and wish to retain the current business model—including Tong Gong Fang."

"Even if many Jinren Xiang merchants hope that, it doesn't mean they have foresight," Xiao Han became somewhat angry.

——

Dragon race.

"That's right; for Jinren Xiang to develop, it can't overly heed too many shop opinions… This Xiao Han is a competent leader."

Caesar slightly lifted his chin, "Development requires foresight and efficiency, while shop owners only worry about immediate profits, tangled in rent and foot traffic—short‑term issues."

"When Paris was rebuilt, if Baron Osman had consulted every bakery, today's Champs‑Élysées would probably still be a medieval alley. Decision‑makers should steer like captains, not serve as waiters."

Watching Xing and Su Shang run back and forth in Jinren Xiang on the holographic screen, Caesar was rather disdainful. As leaders, they should control the overall situation, not be fixated on individual shop opinions.

"Hmm, worthy of being Student Council president," Chu Zihang said expressionlessly, "But have you considered that shop opinions represent actual needs—like the long‑standing Shang Ziwei needing to preserve its traditional layout, Aunt Gao's snack stall also relies on specific foot traffic… Ignoring these, the plan becomes a castle in the air."

"Osman's redevelopment indeed created a magnificent Paris, but it also displaced tens of thousands of the poor…" Chu Zihang shook his head, "Development should not come at the cost of ordinary people's sacrifice."

Upon hearing that, Caesar set down the champagne in his hand and finally couldn't help but look at Chu Zihang: "What? There's a debate on the holographic screen—should we also have a debate? Like in the academy? I wouldn't mind."

"Never mind, I just have some objections to your earlier remarks…"

Chu Zihang said calmly, "You called Xiao Han a competent leader, but in my view… a leader doesn't look down from on high over everything; instead, they stand in the rain and listen to each drop. Compared to him, I side more with Mingxi and Xing's perspective."

——

"The Chamber of Commerce cannot exist without the shops; it will turn Jinren Xiang into the 'New Luo Fu First Night Market'," Mingxi said with great enthusiasm.

"The Luo Fu First Night Market? After the company invests, the Celestial Boat will be full of new commercial hubs; who would go out of their way to Jinren Xiang? No one cares anymore…" Xiao Han retorted.

"No! Of course people care!" Xing handed the collaborative event of Shang Ziwei to Xiao Han, "People will always need Jinren Xiang's food street."

With modern tools like promotional gifts and virtual shopping vouchers, tourists visiting Jinren Xiang for consumption have more than doubled, which shows the food street's standing in everyone's mind.

For this, Mingxi added, "Young master, you pour sky‑high funds into building the port and can drive out the shops; after that, is it still Jinren Xiang?"

"What we want to choose is the future of the 'most Jinren Xiang'."

Mingxi's remarks even made Yu Kong smile slightly; after both sides clarified their views, Yu Kong said the free discussion time had ended, and the parties should await the results.

Not long after everyone returned to Jinren Xiang, Mingxi couldn't wait to pull the young master back into the group, announcing that the judges' results were out; they won the bid, and the Chamber of Commerce will continue managing the Jinren Xiang commercial district.

Xiao Han, representing the company, will establish a shop and set up in Jinren Xiang.

"Phew, this matter is finally wrapped up," Xing looked up at the now bustling Jinren Xiang, a sense of accomplishment welling up inside.

"Doo—"

Just as Xing was about to find a spot with Su Shang for a good meal, March Seven suddenly messaged her, saying they wanted to go with Walt, Dan Heng and others to the Divine Strategy Hall to see the current state of the generals.