Chapter 422: 418. Supplier Conference (Please subscribe, monthly tickets!)

In the evening, the Zhang family sat around the dining table eating a fragrant dinner and chatting idly, feeling very comfortable, as if the commercial war raging outside had absolutely nothing to do with their family.

"Finish up the things in your hands over these next few days; on October 1st, our family will go to Beijing to watch the grand military parade, and while we're at it, we'll take a look at our house there," Zhang Ran said.

Zhang Sicheng asked with some surprise, "Our family still has a house in Beijing?"

"Of course we do, didn't I tell you all about it last time?" Zhang Ran said.

Zhang Sicheng slapped his forehead, remembering; Zhang Ran had indeed mentioned it before, but too many things had happened during this period, causing him to forget.

"Siyan, ask Xiao Li if she has time, and if she does, she can come along," Zhang Ran said.

Qian Zhengkun had fallen ill two days ago, so Qian Li hadn't come over these past two days and had been staying at her parents' house.

"She probably can't go; she needs to take care of Uncle Qian. I'll ask her when the time comes," Zhang Siyan said.

The matter was settled just like that; no one refused, as the family now quite enjoyed such outings where everyone went together.

Especially since both Zhang Sicheng and Zhang Siyan could foresee that they would become increasingly busy in the future, they would not refuse such an opportunity.

"Girl, you should pack up your things too, and come along when the time comes," Zhang Ran said to Huo Zhiyuan.

Huo Zhiyuan had seemed indifferent just now, keeping her head down while eating, but her ears had been pricked up the whole time. Hearing this, she immediately said, "Okay, I don't have anything going on here either."

"I won't be going with you all this time; I'm going two days early to handle some matters," Zhang Ran said.

He still needed to show his face for the supplier conference, as some decisions would require him to make the call on the spot.

Although Zhang Ran had already completely let go of Maikai Supermarket and handed it over to Jiao Zhen, this cooperation involved not just Maikai Supermarket, but also Fengli Group and Dahe Express.

Currently, Dahe Express was nominally merged with Fengli Group and was a subsidiary under Fengli.

But in reality, Meng He was still in charge, and it would take a few years to achieve true integration.

Therefore, Zhang Ran had to show up in person this time.

"Grandpa, are you going on a business trip again?" The others didn't say anything, but Susu was a bit unhappy.

"That's right, Grandpa is going on a business trip for work," Zhang Ran said to the little one with a smile.

"But... but I will miss you," Susu said, pouting her little mouth.

"Grandpa will miss you too, but Grandpa needs to work. Grandpa is working to save up a dowry for Susu," Zhang Ran said, flicking Susu's little nose.

Susu was still very unhappy. "Grandpa, I don't want a dowry, I just want Grandpa."

The little one didn't know what a dowry was yet, but instead, because of her grandfather's words, she grew to dislike this thing called a "dowry," because it was the reason her grandfather had to go on a business trip.

"Haha." Zhang Ran was amused by Susu, but his heart also felt warm.

That night, Zhang Ran accompanied the two little ones to play until very late before they went to sleep.

On the 29th, Zhang Ran and He Yong arrived in Tianjin and went straight to the headquarters of Maikai Supermarket.

Jiao Zhen reported the situation from this period to Zhang Ran; overall, Maikai Supermarket was still suppressing Fengchao Supermarket.

There was no help for it; Maikai Supermarket was truly a bit too crazy, making many people watch in shock.

Although Fengchao Supermarket was still slightly larger than Maikai Supermarket in terms of scale, it remained at a disadvantage under such a crazy offensive from Maikai Supermarket.

However, Fengchao Supermarket had also been holding firm; apart from the one store they were forced to close that day, they had shown no other signs of cowardice.

But at the same time, the entire Fengchao Supermarket had been dragged into this; if they could have barely pulled themselves out before, they couldn't do so now even if they wanted to.

It could be said that one side had to go under; otherwise, neither could accept such losses.

Even if Maikai Supermarket wanted to stop now and not fight the price war with Fengchao Supermarket, Fengchao Supermarket wouldn't allow it.

If they didn't take the other side down this time, the money they had lost during this period, the re-invested capital, and the bank loans would truly be a total loss.

Not only that, if they failed to take down the opponent, the entire South China retail industry would face another round of turmoil, and perhaps other supermarkets would take advantage of the situation to enter the market, which was something Fengchao Supermarket could not accept.

It could be said that Zhang Ran had already forced Fengchao Supermarket into a dead end, leaving them with only one path to take.

This was exactly Zhang Ran's goal.

After understanding the situation, a satisfied smile appeared on Zhang Ran's face, and he immediately asked, "How has it been lately? Is there anyone in the company who isn't listening?"

Jiao Zhen was speechless upon hearing this and said, "Alright, can you stop being like this? Look at what the company environment has become now? Everyone is walking on eggshells. To be honest, if it weren't for the urgency of this matter, I would never have agreed to you doing this."

Zhang Ran said, "You said it yourself, the matter is urgent. If I don't do this, what can I do? Do you believe that if my attitude were even slightly softer, these people could cause me endless trouble?"

Jiao Zhen was silent. It was true; just as Zhang Ran said, if his attitude hadn't been so tough, this would have definitely caused a huge mess. By then, let alone attacking, he would have been lucky just to keep the internal situation from falling apart.

"Fine, let's not talk about this. I know your difficulties, but the situation has improved a bit now. After this matter ends, it should take about half a year to get them to settle down again," Jiao Zhen said.

"Mm, you can also use this opportunity to win over their hearts; it will make work go more smoothly later," Zhang Ran said with a smile.

Jiao Zhen said, "The way you put it, it sounds like I'm trying to undermine you. I wouldn't dare; the matter with You Jingyang is still fresh in my memory."

"You are different from him; I trust you," Zhang Ran said.

"Heh, you trust me, but I don't even trust myself. By the way, let He Qing stay at Maikai Supermarket; it'll be just right for her to help me out," Jiao Zhen said, seizing the opportunity.

He was asking Zhang Ran to find someone to supervise him; sometimes, he really couldn't trust himself, especially when facing massive profits.

Just as Zhang Ran was about to say something, Jiao Zhen said, "Don't refuse. I really don't want us two old friends, who finally met again and started working together, to end up parting ways. If that were to happen, I might as well not have come."

Zhang Ran pondered for a moment and said, "Alright then, I'll find someone else to come over when the time comes."

"That's more like it. Find a place to eat on your own tonight; I won't be keeping you company," Jiao Zhen said with a satisfied smile.

"Get lost, you're just a rascal!" Zhang Ran said with a laugh, then stood up and left, preparing for tomorrow's supplier conference.