Days in Hong Kong variety shows

Chapter 78 Some Trivial Matters

Cao Tai arrived at the Shangdong Club a few minutes after 11 a.m.

By this time, many people had left the club, leaving only a few dozen customers, most of whom were practicing boxing and yoga with Sangbang and Huagulong.

"Mr. Cao" was spotted by Tang Xin, who was chatting with Mengna at the front desk, the moment Cao Tai walked through the club's doors.

"Manager Tang, Miss Mona is here too!" Looking around, there were only a few customers scattered in the various functional areas, and out of more than a dozen staff members, only three were instructing customers on exercises, while the rest were all sitting in the rest area.

In only two open group exercise rooms, twenty or thirty customers could be seen practicing aerobics and yoga under the guidance of two top-rated instructors.

"Why are there so few customers?" Cao Tai wondered. Didn't he call around 9 a.m. to say that the club was packed with people and there was hardly any room to stand?

"Mr. Cao, we served about 400 customers this morning, but it's almost lunchtime now, and many have already left," Tang Xin quickly explained.

"Hmm, how's the new addition?" Although I didn't expect this club to make money, I also don't want it to lose money!

"162 customers have signed up for memberships, including 113 premium members. Including the existing members who renewed their memberships, we now have a total of 163 premium members and 251 basic members." Tang Xin's voice was filled with excitement as she said this.

I quickly did some mental calculations. If we calculate based on a 20% discount on this month's membership fee, we've already collected around 360,000 yuan in membership fees alone, which is already quite good. The gross profit is over 100,000 yuan.

If some clients want to buy private lessons from top coaches, then the income can increase even further.

"Very good, thank you for your help." Although it was his own newspaper that helped promote GG, which is why so many new customers came to the store on the first day of opening.

However, the ability to retain customers and sell so many memberships is definitely a testament to Tang Xin's capabilities.

Previously, Tang Xin had handled the positioning of Sangbang and Huagulong, and the courses they taught were also personally determined by Tang Xin after he had examined them.

"Wasn't Miss Mona here for training today?" Cao Tai asked, looking at Mona in her long dress with a slightly puzzled expression.

"I asked her to come keep me company. She's been going through some things lately and is feeling a bit down," Tang Xin said, quickly answering her friend who seemed hesitant to speak.

"Hmm, you do look a bit unwell, you need to rest more!" Mr. Cao knew perfectly well why she was like this, but he still pretended to be concerned.

Having suffered from insomnia for many days, and occasionally being awakened by nightmares, Mona softly said "thank you," her voice slightly hoarse.

"Brother Tai!" Big Fool and Nine-Dragon appeared together at the club entrance, followed by several henchmen.

The two arrived early in the morning, but stayed at the teahouse drinking tea until Cao Tai came over before following them.

"You're here? Come in and take a look around." There's no need to be too polite with your own underling.

Leading the two to the strength training area where there were no customers, Da Sha approached Cao Tai and whispered, "The machine we ordered was shipped last night. We just received a notification that it has arrived in Tazhai. They will send someone to board the ship and guide it directly to Jiangcheng via the sea and the Yangtze River."

This is a world-class 1.5T MRI scanner that Cao Tai ordered for nearly a million US dollars. It arrived at the port yesterday morning and was then transferred to Da Sha's best transport ship last night.

This behemoth, weighing ten or twenty tons, can only be transported by water directly to Jiangcheng, since the current road conditions in China may not be able to meet the needs of transporting such a large object.

"Where are the installation and debugging personnel? What if the machine is delivered but they can't even get the installation done properly?" Cao Tai thought that he couldn't just give half a favor; he had to give the whole thing.

"We've already found the right people. Once the machines arrive, they'll fly to Hong Kong Island via Europe under the guise of tourism, and then transfer to Jiangcheng." It seems that Da Sha has done his homework.

"Yes, make sure they pay the full amount; after all, they're professionals." Mr. Cao felt he should still give them a word of advice. "However, if they try anything funny..."

"I'll handle it!" Da Sha practically patted his chest as Cao Tai pondered. "But, is it really necessary to spend tens of millions just to treat Xiu Zai's wife?"

"Hmm," Cao Tai believed Da Sha's assurance. "It's not that it has nothing to do with Xiu Zai, but helping him was just a side thing."

Some things are better left unsaid.

This favor was done through Li Hua's personal connections, and I'll have to personally thank him later.

"Ah Wen, how are things on your end?" Cao Tai didn't actually have much time to pay attention to the Heyi Society, but he still needed it to protect his business in Heyi's territory, so he would occasionally check on it.

"Hongtai's influence has waned somewhat; I wonder if Piyanmei is up to something. However, the gang has had several clashes with Lin Huaile's Jordan branch, and the police seem to be biased towards Wo Luen Shing, so we suffered a minor setback."

"1

Dressed in a suit and wearing gold-rimmed glasses, Wen Nuoyan looked every bit the elite gentleman.

Upon hearing the name of Jordan Ah Lok from the Lian Sheng Group, a shadow crossed Cao Tai's eyes. This hungry wolf, almost certainly backed by the Political Department, was stirring with malice. Could it be that its master was testing it?

The Political Department currently has over a thousand officially registered staff members, and the number of undercover agents and spies they have sent out is unknown.

Based on my own speculation, it seems that many triads on Hong Kong Island have been infiltrated by it, which is probably a precautionary measure for after the negotiations.

Having transmigrated, all I want is to make money, not to become famous. But as a Chinese person, I have a sense of social responsibility and don't want to see this lurking wolf in the shadows raising maggots to disgust people.

"Ignore him as long as he doesn't cross the line. If he gets too arrogant, tell me and I'll figure something out." It's easy to kill Ah Le, but killing him won't solve the fundamental problem.

As long as the Political Department exists, it can launch a second, a third... countless Ah Les at any time. It seems we still need to develop in a more cunning manner for a while longer.

Upon hearing the voice, Cao Tai, the "BOSS," looked over and saw lawyer Hu Zhiyong walking over with a somewhat familiar-looking girl.

"You two can look around on your own for now, then we'll have lunch together," Cao Tai instructed the two men beside him before greeting Hu Zhiyong, "Old Hu, what brings you here?"

"Boss, I had to make time to come and see your new store opening, and maybe even get some of the good luck," Hu Zhiyong replied with a smile.

Then he introduced the girl he brought: "This is Sandy, my junior from the law school. She hasn't been interning at our firm for long. She's Attorney Huang's star pupil, and I'd like to transfer some of your matters to her for follow-up."

"Oh, your application to become a barrister has been approved?" Although everyone says that solicitors and barristers are on equal footing, it is worth noting that the ratio of solicitors to barristers on Hong Kong Island is currently 6:1.

This shows that there are far fewer barristers than solicitors; they are a scarce resource and their importance is definitely greater than that of solicitors. Moreover, barristers have the opportunity to become judges.

Hu Zhiyong smiled from the bottom of his heart. "Yes, it has been approved, but I still need to intern with Attorney Huang for six months before I can practice independently."

"Congratulations!" Hu Zhiyong is now considered a core figure in Cao Tai's group, and his status has risen accordingly, which also benefits Cao Tai.

"Miss Sandy, it's a pleasure to meet you." Mr. Cao didn't ignore the young beauty and extended his hand to shake hers.

"Hello, Mr. Cao!" Sandy quickly reached out her hand. It was so warm. The moment she grasped Cao Tai's large hand, it felt like she was putting her hand on a hand warmer.

In this cold winter, this warm feeling is so comforting that Sandy is almost reluctant to let go.