Back to the prime of life

Chapter 185 Thoughts

It's not that Shen Mo didn't know; the main reason is that everyone's tasks are very heavy, and international conference calls are not held every few days. Each time, they only discuss content related to the conference topic itself, and there is almost no idle chatter.

Later, Shen Mo learned some details from Zhou Shuang.

Because Lu Changge simply didn't have the time to do science popularization during the conference call.

For example, for a simple New Year's opening, he would have to visit three companies three times.

During this year's Spring Festival, Lumang took a break. Although staying open during the Spring Festival to compete with rivals was an option, he considered that everyone at Lumang had been exhausted over the past six months and was hoping to get a break during the Spring Festival.

The more important reason is that due to the continuous growth in sales, the warehousing and logistics capacity was already very tight. If it is not suspended during the Spring Festival and a large-scale promotion is launched, then the holiday will not be easy, and there may be a problem of warehouse backlog.

Consumers are not easy to please. If they place an order and don't receive the goods for a long time, it will definitely lead to a huge number of complaints.

In fact, Lu Mang itself is facing this problem.

During the first month of the lunar calendar, after work resumed, Chen Xiaohe organized an informal tea party internally, which was essentially a brainstorming session. This was also a concrete way for Lumang to demonstrate the company's youthful culture and reject bureaucratic culture.

One of the issues is that Lumang's current delivery still relies on third-party logistics agencies. In other words, Lumang's logistics service level depends entirely on the third-party company. Even if a so-called guarantee against warehouse overload is signed, if the logistics company's service capabilities are just so-so, the owners cannot ask for more.

Chen Xiaohe gradually got into the swing of things, treating the 2009 Spring Festival as a brand new beginning, and everyone was very enthusiastic at the start.

In particular, she started mentioning the word 'Vancl' to Lu Changge, which is an internet clothing brand that was established earlier than them.

The insights into logistics also come from competitors, who are attempting to build their own logistics systems – such as Fengda.

Once completed, it will be very difficult for Lumang to catch up in terms of logistics services.

Lu Changge did not attend that tea party, and in the end, Chen Xiaohe handed him a report, or rather a suggestion.

"There are clearly many people who oppose it, so why did you still compile it into a report and hand it to me?" Lu Changge asked, puzzled, after carefully reading through it.

Chen Xiaohe explained, "Public opinion is very important, but sometimes you have to trust your own judgment. I think this matter needs to be planned in advance. I've written down my reasons; what do you think?"

There are many reasons for this, as the problem is not difficult to identify, and besides Vancl, JD.com is another e-commerce company that has built its own logistics network. The fact that more than one company has made the same choice suggests there must be some merit to it.

Lu Changge scratched his forehead with his finger, then stood up, put his hands on his hips, and looked out the window.

He was actually considering it himself.

"Do you have any concerns?" Chen Xiaohe asked his retreating figure.

"Yes," Lu Changge's long voice came, "...Let's put this matter aside for a while and see how it goes."

Chen Xiaohe was taken aback, but she wasn't too forceful. She simply reminded him, "Given the current situation in China, the cost of acquiring land a year ago is vastly different from what it is now. Hmm... at least let me know what your concerns are?"

The core reason is that Lu Changge hasn't decided on Lu Mang's final destination yet.

But we can't say that reason now, because if we do, morale will collapse.

“I think we’ve taken a bit too big a step. It’s true that we’ve received the money, but the main purpose of the money is to expand our product categories and recruit staff to strengthen our supply chain and other system capabilities. We will inevitably need to do some marketing later, and 1200 million can be spent very quickly. These are all things that urgently need to be done right now. As for logistics… we can rely on third parties. So even if I agree with your reasoning, the pace doesn’t need to be so fast.”

"You think the investment is a bit too large."

"That's one reason, and another is that, as far as Lumang is concerned, what I need now is sales volume and revenue."

"why?"

Lu Changge said, "Because we need to raise funds."

Chen Xiaohe exclaimed in surprise, "So fast?"

This isn't a matter of fast or slow. Starting in July of last year, Lu Changge's personal life suddenly changed, and it remains so to this day. To put it poetically, for the past six months he's been focused on his journey, oblivious to the world around him.

Today, he and Lu Mang have finally gained some fame.

So he didn't lie to Shen Mo or deceive Chen Xiaohe; someone really did contact him to inquire about his intention to accept investment.

In other words, this matter has already begun.

Of course, it's not as Chen Xiaohe imagined—that the words "financing" are uttered today and an agreement is reached tomorrow. There's a long time to go. Taking money from someone else's pocket isn't that easy.

"Let's not talk about it for now. We'll announce it after we've finalized the deal," Lu Changge instructed, glancing at the others bustling outside the glass door. "You're all young people. Suddenly realizing your shares are valuable might make you unsettled." Chen Xiaohe laughed, "You talk like you're so old."

Lu Changge did not refute, but only said: "Experience has nothing to do with age, but with life experiences."

"You've got all these theories, one after another. Where did you hear them from?"

"It's just parroting what others have said, but at least it makes some sense, doesn't it?"

After settling in, Lu Changge planned to go to Hailan Bay because Zuo Shuya was looking for him.

This was originally just a normal itinerary, but when he parked at Jiangxing Commercial Plaza, he noticed that some young men and women shopping at the mall kept staring at him and saying something while covering their mouths, and someone was hiding in a corner taking pictures of him with their phone.

This is probably the downside of being on TV: if a particularly beautiful woman gets out of the passenger seat at that moment, it immediately becomes big news.

However, Lu Changge made the choice to market himself, and no one forced him at gunpoint, so there's no need to be pretentious. Let people take a look if they want.

On his way to Zuo Shuya's office, he thought Zuo Shuya was looking for him because Lu Xiaohui was leaving, but he didn't expect that as soon as he entered, she would talk about the lawsuit to fight for custody of their daughter.

This matter itself doesn't require Lu Changge's help. From a professional perspective, Zuo Shuya is the lawyer. However, this matter will inevitably affect her work.

Fortunately, the situation at the swimming pool has stabilized, and it only needs to operate on a routine basis.

Of course, even so, Lu Changge was still a bit troubled, but Zuo Shuya's situation involved her daughter. Putting aside their relationship, from a purely human perspective, he couldn't expect her to disregard her daughter...

Moreover, when it comes to offering help in times of need... he's an expert.

So after listening, he immediately asked, "I'm no expert in lawsuits, and all I have left is money. If you need anything, just say the word."

It's hard for anyone to resist a helping hand in times of need. Zuo Shuya smiled faintly, her eyes filled with tenderness. "If I were really short of money, I would definitely ask you for it, but this time it's really not necessary. Thank you."

"Are you sure? Can't you just pay more to hire a better lawyer?"

"He is a very capable lawyer. This matter is not about spending money or evidence, but about getting the people in the court who have the final say."

Lu Changge was speechless. He could understand this, but what he couldn't understand was how Zuo Shuya had found this kind of relationship.

"Don't be surprised. I've been planning this day and night, so I've put a lot of thought into it. Many of Hailan Bay's customers are people who have some social resources. Especially some middle-aged men, when they see a woman like me in trouble, they want to help me out of their male instincts. Men, after all, have a great hobby of dragging decent women down with them and persuading prostitutes to leave the sex industry. But don't worry, it's all normal social interaction."

Even so, Lu Changge knew that there were some compromises involved. For example, there were some people she might not like, but as long as they were useful, she had to put in the effort to get to know them better.

That's about it; nothing more is possible.

As for her final conclusion, it was a bit too harsh.

This made him a little embarrassed, "You can't be so extreme..."

"Don't worry, I'm not out of my mind." Zuo Shuya stared blankly at the man in front of her, who was actually a young man, seemingly lost in thought. Later, she got back to business and asked, "What are your plans for Hailan Bay while I'm gone?"

"I don't know. If you're leaving, didn't you prepare someone for me? Are you just going to leave empty-handed like this?"

"This... I really didn't. You're the big boss. Even if I leave, I still have to arrange for a successor. In ancient times, that would be called manipulating power. I thought that was something you should decide."

Lu Changge sighed helplessly, "Never mind, I was just joking. This is a big deal for you, so go ahead and don't worry. I'll figure out a way to handle the Hailan Bay issue. If necessary, I'll come over every day for half a day, and Xiaowei will assist me."

"Thank you." Zuo Shuya said sincerely, and then she smiled. "It feels like I've thanked you so many times. I feel a little guilty for saying it so many times. I've been thanking you all this time, but I don't know what I can do for you."

That's... what kind of talk is that? It's easy for people to overthink it.

"That's too formal."

Seeing his slight unease, Zuo Shuya's playful side emerged. Feigning anger and with a hint of provocation, she said, "What were you thinking just now, man?"

"No, no." Lu Changge glanced at the woman opposite him and noticed that she was wearing a high-necked black sweater, which accentuated her swan-like neck and exuded the charm of a young woman. In addition, her skin was so well-maintained that it was fair and radiant, which made him quite attractive.

This woman was quite bold, staring at him intently, which made him flee in panic. Zuo Shuya, on the other hand, was left alone in the room, secretly laughing to herself, thinking to herself, "He has the desire but not the courage."

Looking back, she realized she had been a bit bold, probably several times, always unable to resist revealing those emotions and influencing the other person. Even though she is more mature now, she doesn't know what to do.

(End of this chapter)