Suppressing the Protagonist in the Start to Seize the Heroine

Chapter 157:

Chapter 157

After spending a short time with Qin Jiuyue, Su Lin escorted her back to the Treasure Pavilion. Qin Jiuyue, upon returning, promptly inquired about Qin Deshu's whereabouts and, learning he was at home, hurried back to report to him.

Everyone was puzzled about who could have provoked Miss Qin, but they knew someone was in for trouble given her departure in a huff.

Back at Quan Le Gou Company, Su Lin found Zhao Yanyan trying to nap in the boss's chair, clearly exhausted from the night before.

Despite hardly sleeping half the night and feeling sore and sleep-deprived, she attempted to rest.

Approaching to carry her to the rest room for better rest, Zhao Yanyan abruptly woke up and viewed him suspiciously, “What are you trying to do in broad daylight? The assistants might come looking for me any moment.”

Su Lin gently pinched Zhao Yanyan's cheek, explaining, “You're this exhausted yet not resting. I’m taking you to the rest room to rest for a bit.”

“Really? You’re not planning to do something naughty, are you?” Zhao Yanyan eyed him skeptically.

“Honestly, I am tempted, but the situation doesn't allow it,” Su Lin earnestly admitted.

Despite Zhao Yanyan's provocation, Su Lin remained unswayed but cautioned her, “The more you provoke me now, the harsher it will be later.” Don't say I didn't warn you; begging for mercy won't work.”

“You... What's with your insatiable body? How can you be so perverted!” Zhao Yanyan complained, turning her head away.

Chuckling, Su Lin carried Zhao Yanyan to the rest room and laid her down, “Rest well. You hardly slept last night and have work to deal with today. I didn't consider your needs enough. Don't worry about outside matters; I'll handle them.”

Seeing Su Lin's gentler side, Zhao Yanyan smiled sweetly, “Su Lin, I didn't expect you to have such a tender side. It's surprising.”

Su Lin, pinching Zhao Yanyan's nose, responded, “I have my moments of gentleness.”

After making sure Zhao Yanyan was comfortable, Su Lin left the room to let her rest properly, noticing her evident exhaustion and dark circles under her eyes.

“Manager Zhao...” Su Lin gestured for quiet to the approaching assistant, indicating Zhao Yanyan was resting in the rest room.

The assistant glared at Su Lin before complaining, “Manager Zhao should have been allowed to rest earlier. You don't realize how long she's been overworking.”

Feeling guilty, Su Lin realized that indeed, Zhao Yanyan had been working relentlessly, especially since their recent trip to Donghai. He then asked the assistant what was the matter.

The assistant, slightly irritated, remarked, “Do you even care about work?”

Smiling, Su Lin replied, “Defending Yanyan, huh? She hasn't even approached me about this. You're quite proactive. What's the issue? Rest assured, my words still carry weight here.”

The assistant explained that Zhao Yanyan had instructed them to switch the external hosiery supplier, and after reaching out, found several manufacturers interested in collaboration but was unsure which to choose.

Su Lin's eyes brightened, “Just have them all send samples over. We'll test which has the best quality and most reasonable price.”

“Got it,” the assistant replied, considering the additional workload Zhao Yanyan would face to evaluate multiple suppliers but thought about trying some samples herself, considering the supermarket's air-conditioned environment.

If Su Lin had known the assistant's thoughts, he likely would have insisted Zhao Yanyan let her go.

Meanwhile, in Zhongjiang, Lin Xiaowan, Xia Yuyu, Chen Yang, and the managers from seven branches were holding a meeting.

“I've made it clear this time: whoever can expand the market in a city will become the general manager of that city. All seven of you have this opportunity.”

“The locations you're going to have been arranged by Manager Lin, and the funds each of you can use are also ready. What you achieve will depend on yourselves.”

The seven store managers were excited. If they succeeded in this assignment, they would become the general manager of a city, overseeing at least ten supermarkets each, and potentially more in the future.

Their salaries and benefits would significantly increase. They would be the company's first batch of veterans.

“Manager Chen, Manager Lin, Manager Xia, rest assured, I, Zhang Yong, will definitely secure a foothold as soon as possible.”

“Zhang Yong, don't think you're better than us just because you joined a few days earlier. When it comes to expanding the market, I, Liu Yang, am not a pushover either.”

“…”

Chen Yang intervened, “Talking won't expand the market. I don't doubt any of your abilities, but I'm only interested in the results.”

All seven managers became serious. Previously, they were store managers and good friends. Now, as they set out to expand the market, they became competitors.

None wanted to be left behind, and it was clear that factional struggles within the company had begun.

However, such competition was of little concern to Chen Yang and Su Lin; a company without internal competition is one that's close to failing. It was only because Xia Shiyu and Lin Xiaowan were Su Lin's partners that Chen Yang didn't engage in rivalry with them.

“Now that the market expansion is settled, shouldn't we discuss moving the company's headquarters?” Lin Xiaowan mentioned indifferently, uninterested in these struggles and missing Su Lin.

Chen Yang asked, “Shouldn't we consult Su Lin about moving the headquarters?”

Lin Xiaowan shook her head, “No need, this has been decided a long time ago, and Su Lin had already agreed.”

Xia Shiyu added, “Yes, Chen Yang, Su Lin had settled this matter long ago. We're definitely going to be based in Donghai long-term, so we should start planning now.”

Chen Yang sighed, realizing Xia Shiyu and Lin Xiaowan had already decided, leaving no room for discussion.

“But we haven't received any instructions from Donghai. “We don’t even know where we’d stay if we moved now,” Chen Yang expressed his concern.

Lin Xiaowan smiled, “That's why Xia Shiyu and I are going on a business trip to Donghai to choose a location for the headquarters.”

“Are both of you going?”

“Of course. What else?”

“But there's so much to do here at the company.”

Lin Xiaowan stated firmly, “Chen Yang, Xia Shiyu and I will eventually leave the company. By then, marketing, HR, finance, and everything else will be under your management. You should start getting used to it now.”

Chen Yang smiled bitterly. Lin Xiaowan and Xia Shiyu were highly competent; things were effortless with them in charge. But without them, he’d face significant challenges, especially with the entire company’s operations under his management.

“So, when are you leaving?”

“Tomorrow,” Lin Xiaowan cheerfully replied.

“Tomorrow? Did your father agree to you going to Donghai?” Chen Yang was incredulous at the haste.

Lin Xiaowan said, “My father has been informed. He knows about my relationship with Su Lin. At most, he’d verbally object and then insist I stay with my aunt.”

“And what about your father, Xia Shiyu?”

Xia Shiyu smiled, “I’m not bothering him with this.”

“Isn’t this too sudden?”

“Please bear with it, Yangzi. Su Lin said even if the company grew tenfold, you could manage it. He trusts you, and we trust him.”

“I feel the same as Xiaowan.”

Chen Yang: “…”