Chapter 519
You need to learn how to draw a pie in the sky, draw a big pie in the sky!
"Brother, are you busy? I want to talk to you about something."
Su Yan looked at Su Chen, who was lying on the sofa playing on his phone, with a slightly awkward expression.
"Hmm?" Upon hearing Su Yan's voice, a look of surprise flashed across Su Chen's eyes. He sat up from the sofa and asked curiously, "Why did you come back from Volga Manor so early this morning? Didn't you have a good time there? By the way, where are Uncle and the others? Did they also go back to the hotel?"
As he spoke, Su Chen looked toward the gate, but unfortunately... he didn't see his second uncle, Su Zhiqi, or the others.
"My dad and his friends went to Yichun to see the sights by sightseeing train!" Su Yan plopped down on the sofa next to him, picked up the juice Chen Fei had just brought him, and gulped down several mouthfuls, reducing the juice in the glass to two-thirds of its original volume.
"You went to Yichun?" Su Chen raised an eyebrow. They were having a good time in Harbin, so why did they suddenly go to Yichun? And on some kind of sightseeing train?
Su Chen had heard of Yichun before, thanks to Lin Xiaoyu's explanation of some famous places in Northeast China on the way to Harbin, including Yichun.
Yichun, known as the "Forest Capital of China" and a "Natural Oxygen Bar," is located in the heart of the Lesser Khingan Mountains. With a forest coverage rate of up to 83.8%, it is the largest forest city in China and also preserves the world's most complete original Korean pine forest community.
Because of this, autumn is the busiest season for tourism in Yichun, with many tourists going there to experience the magical charm of nature, to enjoy the natural oxygen bar, and to see various gentle animals.
Su Yan explained helplessly, "It's because last night when my dad and Uncle Lin were having dinner, they happened to run into a senior citizen tour group visiting Volga Manor. I don't know how it happened, but they started chatting and got along really well. When they found out the tour group was going to Yichun, my dad and Uncle Lin decided to go with them!"
Su Chen couldn't help but chuckle upon hearing this. He hadn't expected that his second uncle and the others, despite their advanced age, would have the courage of young people to just pack up and go. "Speaking of which, why didn't you go with them? Where's Xiaoyu? Did she go to Yichun with your second uncle and the others?"
Su Yan downed the last bit of juice in his hand in one gulp, smacked his lips a few times, and then replied, "Yeah~ I was just worried that something might happen to them, so I thought I'd have Xiaoyu go with them. If anything happens, she can handle it, and even if she can't, she'll know to call us right away!"
"As for why I didn't go with them..." Su Yan paused, glanced at Su Chen, and said somewhat nervously, "I was thinking about opening a shop, and since I'm in Bingcheng, I wanted to do some research and see what the market is like here."
"If I go to Yichun with my dad and the others, I'm afraid I'll get too carried away and neglect the business of opening the shop."
Judging from the state of his father and Uncle Lin, it seems that this trip will not end until they have visited all the fun places in Northeast China. If that's the case, it will take at least half a month, or even a month.
If that's the case, Su Yan's opening of the hot pot restaurant will be greatly delayed. It's almost September now, and he still needs to choose a location, renovate, and adjust the hot pot flavor. All of this will take at least two months. If he doesn't hurry up, it might be next year before he opens the restaurant.
Upon hearing this, Su Chen nodded silently in his heart. It seemed that Su Yan was quite ambitious and didn't just think about how to have fun.
Su Chen picked up his juice from the table, took a small sip, and looked at Su Yan with a smile, asking, "So you came to find me... to ask me to go with you to do market research?"
Su Yan shook his head vigorously; he would only ask his older brother to go with him to do market research if he had taken the wrong medicine.
"I've finally understood what you taught me before!"
Su Yan rubbed his hands nervously, and said somewhat embarrassedly, "I just came to tell you that I plan to call President Bai and invite some business owners with resources in Bingcheng to a gathering to try to integrate useful resources and open the hot pot restaurant as quickly as possible."
Upon hearing this, a hint of approval flashed in Su Chen's eyes. Only those who know how to be flexible have a chance to succeed in the business world.
He placed his phone on the coffee table, leaned forward slightly, and asked with interest, "The fact that you took the initiative to talk to me about this shows that you can still use your brain. Tell me, what are your specific plans?"
Seeing his elder brother's interested expression, Su Yan breathed a sigh of relief and felt more confident. His previous unease and tension dissipated considerably.
He immediately explained, "Brother, this is what I'm thinking. We're unfamiliar with the catering industry in Harbin. If we just wander around like headless flies, it will not only be inefficient, but we'll also easily run into obstacles."
"I plan to use the group executives who attended my engagement banquet to build a bridge through Mr. Bai, and invite local food suppliers, developers who may have suitable shop resources, and even some experienced catering peers to have a meal together and get to know each other."
“This way…” Su Yan spoke more and more fluently, his eyes brightening, “we can quickly understand the true situation of the local market, especially the local people’s taste preferences. As long as it suits the local tastes, the hot pot restaurant is already halfway to success! Furthermore…”
Su Yan's expression turned serious, and after a pause, he continued, "I also thought I'd take this opportunity to get to know some influential people in Bingcheng. I've heard Xiao Yu talk about some of the unspoken rules here recently, and if we don't handle them properly, it might cause some trouble."
"As you know, it's easier to see the King of Hell than to deal with his underlings. If we can resolve everything before it even starts, things will go much more smoothly later on."
After listening, Su Chen nodded slightly and tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest of the sofa. He had also heard about the business environment in Northeast China. If you don't handle things well, even if you have the ability, you will be overwhelmed by all sorts of small things.
"Your approach is correct. Using someone else's strength against them is indeed the fastest way to break through the situation. It seems you have really put your heart into this."
"However..." Su Chen suddenly changed the subject, causing Su Yan, who had been smiling, to instantly freeze, his heart leaping into his throat. He stared intently at Su Chen, waiting for his next twist...
Su Chen naturally took in Su Yan's changing expression and couldn't help but chuckle to himself. He wanted to give him a good talking-to so that he wouldn't get carried away and become arrogant.
"Have you ever thought about what you're prepared to give up if you want the resources you need from those well-connected bosses?"
This problem left Su Yan at a loss. He had never thought about this issue before, and he was just thinking of having Bai Xiangwen set up the bureau so that he could get the corresponding resources from those bosses and pay them accordingly based on market prices.
But after my older brother's reminder, I realized that I had oversimplified things.
"You must remember... whether it's between people or between countries, the only constant is self-interest. The resources those bosses control are high-quality and scarce. Do you think they hold onto them just to get a good price?"
"Those group bosses who came to your engagement party, why do you think they came and even gave you a generous gift? Just because you, Su Yan, have a big face and dark skin?"
These words immediately made Chen Fei, who was standing to the side, laugh. Even Su Yan himself scratched his head a little embarrassedly. Of course, he knew the purpose of those people's visit. It was all because of Bai Xiangwen and the big boss behind him—his older brother!
Su Chen glanced at Chen Fei, who was covering his mouth and laughing non-stop. Chen Fei was instantly startled and his smile vanished, leaving him with a blank expression and eyes staring straight ahead.
Seeing Su Chen turn his gaze to him, Su Yan's heart tightened. Recalling the admonition his elder brother had given him after the engagement banquet, he quickly took over the conversation and tentatively asked, "Brother, do you mean... that I should make a deal?"
Hearing this, Su Chen rolled his eyes at Su Yan, annoyed. "You know about exchanging favors... but do you have the leverage to do so?"
Su Chen's question directly hit a blind spot in Su Yan's thinking. He opened his mouth, but was speechless for a moment. The excitement he had just had deflated instantly, like a punctured balloon.
Yes, what can he offer? Money? Do those people worth hundreds of millions need that? Favors? Su Yan has no influence whatsoever in Bingcheng or even the Northeast.
His only hope...
Su Yan's gaze involuntarily drifted to his older brother across from him, who was drinking juice. He knew perfectly well that his only "capital" was his older brother, Su Chen.
The reason those business owners give him face is essentially because they want to use him to transfer some benefits and establish some kind of connection with Su Chen.
Seeing Su Yan's look of sudden realization mixed with embarrassment, Su Chen knew that he had figured out the key point.
He put down his cup, his tone softening slightly, but still carrying a hint of sarcasm: "Have you figured it out? There's no such thing as a free lunch. With Bai Xiangwen organizing the gathering, those people will definitely come." "They'll be polite to you, and might even agree to some of your requests on the spot. But who will take the credit for that favor? Bai Xiangwen, or me? Or do you think they're doing charity?"
Su Yan lowered his head, his fingers unconsciously tapping the edge of the sofa: "Big brother, I... I didn't think that far ahead, I just wanted to get things done quickly..."
"Haste makes waste!" Su Chen leaned back into the sofa. "The idea of using resources is not wrong, but we need to think clearly about the costs and methods."
"If you just ask for it directly, you'll have to pay it back sooner or later, unless you leave this industry altogether. You don't want people to say that you, Su Yan, are a greedy pig who only eats and never spits out, do you?"
"To truly achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, you need to cooperate! Demonstrate your own value and make those people feel that helping you or cooperating with you is profitable and even worth looking forward to!"
"Then... what should I do?" Su Yan looked up, his eyes filled with confusion and curiosity. "Right now... it seems I really don't have anything to offer in exchange for benefits!"
“You do have it!” Su Chen’s tone rose several decibels. “It’s just that you haven’t realized it, or haven’t yet turned it into a bargaining chip in your hands!”
Upon hearing this, Su Yan's eyes lit up, and he said with a hint of excitement, "Big brother, the bargaining chip you're talking about isn't the hot pot restaurant, is it?"
Su Chen nodded, but then shook his head, leaving Su Yan somewhat puzzled. However, Su Chen didn't leave him wondering for long before explaining, "If it's just a hot pot restaurant, your offer is too small. But if it's a pan-Northeast catering alliance developed around a hot pot restaurant, then isn't that offer tempting enough?"
"Gulp!" Su Yan swallowed hard in shock. He never expected that while he was still planning how to open his first store, his older brother had already set his sights on the entire Northeast region.
Is this what they mean by seeing different scenery because of one's different social standing?
Pan-Northeast Catering Alliance!
He seemed to see a catering network starting from Harbin and radiating throughout the entire Northeast region.
"Think it's an exaggeration?" Su Chen smiled faintly at his younger brother's shocked expression. "Do you think those local bullies and resource providers care about the meager revenue and profits of your hot pot restaurant? What they want is greater profits and a broader future."
"And your hot pot restaurant can become a model for this alliance, a catalyst!"
Su Chen sat up straight, his eyes gradually sharpening, and his voice becoming more guiding: "In Harbin, and even the entire Northeast, there are actually quite a few high-quality catering resources, but most of them are either operating independently or limited to the local area."
"They lack a strong brand and an efficient integration platform!"
"What is your advantage? It's the Su family and me behind you! This means you have the foundation of the entire capital!"
"Remember, it's about integration, not exploitation! Once you've made this market in Harbin bigger and stronger, people will naturally push you forward. At that time, as long as you don't forget your original intention and take every step steadily, the future... the Pan-Northeast Catering Alliance will not just be empty words!"
After listening, Su Yan's previous gloomy mood vanished, and his whole body trembled slightly. If what his elder brother said was true, then the Pan-Northeast Catering Alliance would not be a dream, but a goal that could be seen and even touched.
"Brother, are you asking me to make empty promises to Boss Bai's friends?" Su Yan said half-jokingly, suppressing his excitement.
Su Chen's lips curled up slightly as he laughed, "Is that a pancake? It's a road to unlimited wealth!"
"Remember, the pie you're painting isn't about how much money a single store can make! It's about the immense value and limitless possibilities of an alliance and a brand's future!"
"Let them see that investing resources to help you now is an investment in the early stages of a catering giant that may one day spread throughout Northeast China and even across the country."
"This... is the benefit they are most interested in!"
These words stirred Su Yan's emotions, and his breathing became more rapid. It was as if his elder brother had already placed a business plan in front of him, and all he had to do was persuade those group executives to willingly join the alliance.
However, Su Yan soon realized a problem: whether he had the ability to complete this grandiose task.
Those who are family know their own situation, and the chances of him persuading those "old hands" with his own eloquence are extremely slim.
With that in mind, Su Yan voiced his concerns.
Su Chen shook his head after hearing this, leaving Su Yan completely bewildered. He thought his elder brother was saying that he was hopeless and could not be improved.
"Big brother, I..." Su Yan was about to say that he would do his best, but Su Chen raised his hand to interrupt him, saying, "I know what you want to say. Achieving something is the best guarantee for me! As for what you said... isn't there already one ready-made!"
"Ready-made?" Su Yan was slightly taken aback, and a name immediately popped into his mind.
"Brother, are you talking about Bai Xiangwen?"
Su Chen nodded slightly, "That's right, it's Bai Xiangwen. He told me before that Yunmengze Group has few businesses in Northeast China and wants to expand in this area. Well... the opportunity has come!"
Su Yan's breathing immediately became much heavier. There was no doubt about Bai Xiangwen's abilities. The fact that he could develop such a large livestock industry in Qiqihar in such a short time was enough to show how outstanding his abilities were.
With Bai Xiangwen's help, the pie in the sky that the elder brother drew up would be much easier to implement.
"Brother, I understand! I'll go talk to President Bai right now and try to persuade him!" Su Yan stood up from the sofa and said excitedly.
Su Chen nodded with a faint smile on his lips and said, "Go ahead. Consider this a test for you. Whether you can persuade Bai Xiangwen depends on your own abilities. I won't say a word for you. You need to understand that!"
Su Yan stopped talking and quickly walked towards the door. Just as a "thump" sounded as the door closed, Chen Fei, who had been standing there like a wooden statue, walked up to Su Chen and respectfully asked, "Sir, did you make too much of a promise to Young Master Yan? Also, what about Bai Xiangwen... should we arrange for someone to keep an eye on him?"
Su Chen did not immediately respond to Chen Fei's words. Instead, he looked out the window at the blue sky and remained silent for a while before slowly saying, "Only when birds fly into the blue sky do they know how big the sky is. How can they soar through the sky without experiencing some difficulties and dangers?"
Whether he can swallow this pie or not depends on his own fate!
"As for Bai Xiangwen... he's not one to be content with the status quo, and he has his own ambitions. However, he has a clear understanding of his own position and wouldn't dare to do anything overstepping his bounds. Of course..."
"A little tapping is fine too!"
"To be honest... I'm quite looking forward to seeing what kind of sparks the two of them will create!" Su Chen's smile widened.
For Su Yan to find Bai Xiangwen was not difficult at all; in fact, it could be said that Su Yan was providing Bai Xiangwen with a ladder to climb.
Bai Xiangwen was overjoyed; how could he possibly refuse? At most, he'd just play some petty tricks like feigning indifference. (End of Chapter)