Chapter 403: 399. Come and Help Me (Please Subscribe, Monthly Tickets!)

Zhang Ran did not call Nikolayev; if one really had to talk about it, the fact that people like You Jingyang had such great power actually had something to do with him.

Back when he founded Maikai Supermarket in Huaxia, Zhang Ran had told Nikolayev not to hire so-called foreign elites to manage the Huaxia company, saying that it would only be counterproductive and that they would likely be unable to adapt to the local environment in Huaxia.

Nikolayev chose to follow Zhang Ran's advice, so when choosing a Huaxia president, he had always employed Huaxia people.

This also proved the correctness of this decision, because there were quite a few foreign companies that had suffered losses or even gone bankrupt precisely because they sent so-called foreign elites to be stationed in Huaxia.

You Jingyang had also worked his way up step by step with a very solid foundation, and coupled with the fact that over these many years, the results You Jingyang had delivered to the Headquarters had always been quite good, the Headquarters had become increasingly lax in its management of the China Branch.

This was also one of the reasons that led to You Jingyang having too much power, to the point where his mindset was now somewhat unbalanced.

Therefore, Zhang Ran did not blame Nikolayev, and he certainly would not think that this was an obstacle Nikolayev had deliberately set for him.

He Yong had not spoken in the front, just silently driving the car.

Zhang Ran said to He Yong, "Call Xiao Qing over; it would be better for her to participate in the matters here going forward."

"Alright."

Immediately, Zhang Ran took out his phone and dialed.

At the Beijing Headquarters of the State-owned Enterprise Shangguo Supermarket, Jiao Zhen was currently handling matters when suddenly his personal mobile phone rang. He picked it up and looked at it; it was an unfamiliar number.

"Hello, hello, who is this?" Jiao Zhen said while handling official business.

"Brother Jiao, it's me, Zhang Ran." Zhang Ran's cheerful voice came from the other side.

Jiao Zhen was stunned, then immediately said, "You guy still know how to call me? Tsk tsk tsk, I thought you had forgotten about me."

"Sorry, I've been a bit busy lately, you know how it is, Brother. By the way, I'm arriving in Beijing soon. Do you have time, Brother? Shall we go out and get together?" There seemed to be some apology in Zhang Ran's tone.

Jiao Zhen said with some suspicion, "You guy isn't looking for me because you need something, right? I don't believe you have such good intentions."

Zhang Ran said speechlessly, "I just missed an old friend, where is your mind at, Brother? Am I that kind of person?"

"You really don't have anything you need me for?" Jiao Zhen still didn't quite believe it.

"It's just purely to get together, don't overthink it. Alright, I'll send you a message when I arrive in Beijing, and you can come over directly then." After saying this, Zhang Ran hung up the phone.

Jiao Zhen was both happy and suspicious at this moment. What he was happy about was that he and Zhang Ran could be considered friends, and seeing an old friend was naturally a joyful thing.

What he was suspicious about was that he knew this guy Zhang Ran never visited a temple without a cause. He hadn't thought of him for more than half a year, and now he was coming specifically to find him; was there really nothing going on?

However, Jiao Zhen soon shook his head; he wouldn't think about it anymore. Anyway, no matter what, he was going to go.

After handling his affairs a little and giving instructions to his secretary, Jiao Zhen left the company.

An hour later, Zhang Ran met Jiao Zhen.

"Brother, I've missed you to death. Come, let's have a hug." Zhang Ran opened his arms with a laugh and embraced him.

Jiao Zhen also gave Zhang Ran a firm hug, looked at him carefully, and sighed, "It's truly miraculous, and it makes people envious!"

"Brother, I don't want to make you that envious, and I even less want to experience such miraculous things," Zhang Ran sighed.

"Alright, let's not talk about this. Let's go, let's go inside and eat something," Zhang Ran invited.

Jiao Zhen looked at the shop and said somewhat speechlessly, "You, a Big Boss, are treating me to a place like this? You really can bring yourself to do it."

Zhang Ran said nonchalantly, "What's wrong with that? It's only in these small restaurants that the taste is authentic. Those big restaurants don't serve real flavor. Do we two brothers care about such things?"

"Fine, fine, anyway, you always have your reasons," Jiao Zhen said, spreading his hands.

After finding a private room to sit down and ordering the food, Zhang Ran asked with a laugh, "Brother, how have you been these years?"

Jiao Zhen said, "How else? Just muddling through."

"Brother, you are still so humble. I know that back then you drove away quite a few foreign companies, and over these many years, you've even brought Shangguo to its current state. It can be said that for Shangguo to be where it is today, Brother, your contribution is indispensable," Zhang Ran praised.

These words hit the mark for Jiao Zhen, and there was some pride in his eyes, but he still said modestly, "It's not entirely my credit; it's also the strong support of the country."

Zhang Ran said, "Brother, you are still being humble. If it weren't for you, Shangguo wouldn't have developed so magnificently."

"Hehe, alright, stop buttering me up. Tell me about yourself; you've caused quite a stir during this period," Jiao Zhen said.

Just then, the food was served. Zhang Ran poured wine for both of them and then sighed, "I didn't want to cause so many things either, but who told them they just want to keep me from being idle? You know me, Brother; if I can be leisurely, I will absolutely never look for trouble myself.

Sigh, what else can I say? In the end, one can only say that fate plays tricks on people."

As he spoke, Zhang Ran and Jiao Zhen clinked glasses and drank it all in one gulp!

Jiao Zhen also knew Zhang Ran's current situation, so upon hearing this, he didn't say much more. After eating a little food and drinking some wine, Jiao Zhen smiled and said, "Alright, let's not talk about other things. Tell me, what is the matter with finding me this time?"

Zhang Ran said with a laugh, "I knew nothing could be hidden from you, Brother."

"I knew it, you guy would absolutely not come to treat me to a drink for no reason," Jiao Zhen said with a laugh and a scold.

After the two chatted and laughed for a bit, Zhang Ran said seriously, "Brother, this time I am bringing up an old matter again. How about coming to help me?"

The reason he said he was bringing up an old matter again was because the spokesperson Zhang Ran had chosen in the supermarket industry at the beginning was not Zhuo Fan, but Jiao Zhen.

But at that time, due to some policy reasons, and because Jiao Zhen was also working very well within the State-owned Enterprise, a private enterprise was really not a good choice back then.

So Jiao Zhen refused Zhang Ran back then, and only after that did Zhang Ran choose Zhuo Fan.

Upon hearing this, Jiao Zhen fell silent. He didn't refuse, nor did he agree, just asking, "Why bring up this matter? What can I help you with now?"

Zhang Ran knew what he meant and said bluntly, "I have already bought Maikai Supermarket, with absolute controlling interest."

Jiao Zhen was shocked when he heard this. Of course he knew Maikai Supermarket; although it was somewhat inferior to their Shangguo, it was still in the first tier of the Huaxia supermarket industry, and even if it was at the tail end, it was still the first tier.

Now it had been taken down by Zhang Ran quietly and without a sound, and it was absolute controlling interest at that. As a big shot in the industry, he hadn't received a single whisper of news; how could this not shock him?

However, looking at Zhang Ran in front of him, Jiao Zhen thought about it, and this didn't seem worth being surprised about.