Chapter 406: 402. The Favor from Back Then (Please subscribe, monthly votes!)

Xin Youmin didn't really want to leave the moment he saw Zhang Ran; his goal was actually to liven up the atmosphere.

Seeing Zhang Ran, he was still very happy; if one were to really talk about it, he still owed Zhang Ran a favor.

Back in Southeast Asia years ago, Zhang Ran had helped him a great deal.

"You two probably don't know this guy yet, let me introduce you; this is the recently prominent Mr. Zhang Ran," Xin Youmin said with a smile as he introduced him to Jie Li and Dan Ming.

"Brother Xin, you're teasing me again," Zhang Ran said with a helpless expression.

However, upon hearing Xin Youmin's introduction, Jie Li and Dan Ming both looked at Zhang Ran with some surprise; he was the hottest figure recently, it was just that ordinary people didn't know the specific situation.

After Zhang Ran invited everyone to sit down, he didn't rush to talk about business, but instead chatted with them about trivial matters.

Zhang Ran's attitude was also very proper; he kept toasting the three of them, Xin Youmin included, and before long, Zhang Ran was feeling a bit dizzy from the alcohol.

"Alright, let's talk business; I wouldn't believe that a guy like you would be in such a good mood to drink with us anyway," Xin Youmin said with a smile, seeing that it was about time.

Zhang Ran took a sip of tea, paused for a moment, and said, "This time I really do have something to trouble you three brothers with."

Xin Youmin said, "I am actually quite curious; if you had come to me alone, that would be one thing, since I do owe you a favor, but you brought us all here, and even had Old Jiao act as the middleman—what is it? Does the matter involve Old Jiao?"

Zhang Ran immediately said, "A leader is indeed a leader; my little schemes really couldn't be hidden from you."

As soon as Zhang Ran said this, Xin Youmin had some idea in his heart.

Sure enough, he heard Zhang Ran say, "I want to have Brother Jiao come over to help me, and I ask the three of you to lend a hand."

Jie Li and Dan Ming exchanged a glance; neither of them spoke, but the look of surprise was very obvious, though there was also some anticipation.

While Jiao Zhen's departure would indeed cause some losses for Shangguo Supermarket, it would also vacate this position, and if...

Xin Youmin looked at Jiao Zhen, "Old Jiao, have you already made your decision?"

Jiao Zhen spread his hands helplessly and said, "You know the personality of Big Boss Zhang; he just threw money at me and stunned me."

Xin Youmin was silent for a moment and said, "We can all be considered friends, so I won't say any empty words. Old Jiao, I believe you made this decision after careful consideration, and I respect your decision."

"For so many years, you have indeed given too much for Shangguo; I won't say anything else, but I will take it upon myself to waive the non-compete agreement."

Before Jiao Zhen could speak, Zhang Ran hurriedly said, "Well, I appreciate the leader's kindness, but let's just do things by the book; there's no need for that."

Xin Youmin looked at Zhang Ran, "Is there something else? You didn't use to be this generous, you guy."

Zhang Ran said with a smile, "Brother, look at what you're saying, am I that kind of person?"

"Heh."

"Alright, I do indeed have another matter," Zhang Ran said helplessly.

Then his expression became serious, "I have already bought Huaxia Maikai Supermarket, and I plan to have Brother Jiao come over to help me preside over matters there."

The three of them, Xin Youmin included, were stunned; they didn't know this news, and if Zhang Ran hadn't said it, no one would have thought he had already bought Huaxia Maikai Supermarket.

"What do you mean?" Xin Youmin asked, puzzled as he recovered.

Zhang Ran said, "Although I just took over Maikai Supermarket, I found that it has already become a self-contained entity; it doesn't need me at all. No one listens when I say something over there."

"Damn, you don't mean you want to poach everyone from here, do you?" Xin Youmin blurted out.

Zhang Ran nodded seriously, "I do have that intention. I don't want to keep those people there either; we'll deal with that when the time comes. Besides, Brother Jiao will need people to assist him when he goes over, otherwise, just taking over the company would take a year or two."

"Impossible, you're daydreaming. I've already tried my best regarding Old Jiao's departure; now you want so many people—this is simply impossible. Even if I agreed, others wouldn't. You are digging up the foundation of Shangguo Supermarket. Zhang Ran, try to be a decent person," Xin Youmin finally couldn't help but complain.

He really didn't expect Zhang Ran's appetite to be so big; poaching one Jiao Zhen wasn't enough, he wanted to poach Jiao Zhen's entire team as well.

Jie Li and Dan Ming also spoke up at this time, "Mr. Zhang, this is absolutely impossible. Once these people leave, our Shangguo Supermarket will be on the verge of falling into chaos."

Zhang Ran said with a smile, "Don't be anxious, you three. And your words are a bit alarmist. Not to mention anything else, I believe that with your talent reserves, you can fill these vacancies in a short time, and they will be able to integrate quickly."

Xin Youmin still shook his head, "Zhang Ran, no matter what you say, this is absolutely impossible this time. It's not that I'm not giving you face, but it's truly impossible!"

He spoke with finality; such a thing could not happen. Once he let go of so many people, he would likely be unable to withstand the pressure on his side.

Zhang Ran was silent for a moment and said, "Brother Xin, I won't make things difficult for you. How about this: you go and talk to the higher-ups and say that the favor from Southeast Asia back then should be used on this."

As soon as Zhang Ran said this, Xin Youmin's pupils shrank; he knew what favor in Southeast Asia Zhang Ran was talking about.

Back then in Southeast Asia, their team went for an inspection and cooperation and was nearly scammed by someone—not a small scam, but a super big one. Once they fell into it, not to mention how much money they would lose, that entire group of people would definitely not have had an easy time.

At that time, Zhang Ran stepped in to help them solve the problem and even counter-scammed the other party, allowing them to obtain huge benefits.

It could be said that everyone from that time owed Zhang Ran a favor, and a massive one at that.

Xin Youmin had always kept this favor in his heart, but he didn't expect Zhang Ran to actually use it for this.

Jie Li, Dan Ming, and even Jiao Zhen didn't know the situation, but seeing Xin Youmin's expression, they knew the matter didn't seem simple.

"Are you sure you want to use up this favor? Zhang Ran, it's not that I look down on Old Jiao—I am friends with Old Jiao, and I'll speak plainly—this time it's not worth this favor."

Zhang Ran smiled, "There's no such thing as worth it or not; in my view, this is very worth it."

Xin Youmin looked at Zhang Ran deeply and said, "Alright then, I will communicate this with the higher-ups; there shouldn't be much of a problem."

Jie Li and Dan Ming were both stunned; what kind of favor could make Xin Youmin change his mind so much, even saying directly that once this favor was used, the matter would be no problem?

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