Chapter 290 - 198: Sudden Realization

Chapter 290: Chapter 198: Sudden Realization

The humiliation was indescribable. He’d never been given the cold shoulder like this in his entire life!

Xu Jun ignored him. Spotting a mall employee in the distance, he walked over and asked, "Have you seen President Hui?"

"President Xu! President Hui and the others headed toward Exit 1!"

Xu Jun hurried toward Exit 1.

Just then, Chen Xiao was discussing the redevelopment plans for the gold and jewelry section with Zhao Hui. Xu Jun walked up to them.

"President Chen!"

"Oh, President Jun! I’m just taking a casual look around today. I didn’t want to get in the way of your work."

"You’re too kind. I was actually just about to report to you on the status of the plaza acquisitions."

Tianlong Square and Qingyun Wansheng Square have already been renamed Junxiao Square. As for the three other plazas pending acquisition, Wansheng Group has accepted the offer from Junxiao Business Management, and both parties are working to expedite the process.

Chen Xiao suddenly asked, "Have you reported this to President Xu?"

’Does President Chen think I’m going over my superior’s head? I wouldn’t have the guts!’

’If I dared to bypass President Xu, I’d probably be packing my bags tomorrow!’

"I already reported it to President Xu immediately."

It was only then that Xu Jun noticed Zhao Xiangjun standing off to the side. She hadn’t said a word and was busy texting on her phone.

Chen Xiao said with a smile, "My girlfriend, Zhao Xiangjun."

Xu Jun froze for a second. The name Zhao Xiangjun wasn’t unfamiliar. Back during his time at Jiangzhou Wansheng Square, there were rumors about a stunning beauty who worked at the Yi Rui store, and he’d certainly heard about how gorgeous she was.

’President Chen’s girlfriend... Zhao Xiangjun...’

Suddenly, a thought struck Xu Jun, and his eyes narrowed.

’Zhao Xiangjun... Chen Xiao... Junxiao Group.’

’So that’s the secret! Looking at Zhao Xiangjun again, he saw more than just a great beauty—she was a goddamn titan!’

’Then he recalled Zhao Hui mentioning a family dinner tonight, and the relationships suddenly became crystal clear. Zhao Hui was Zhao Xiangjun’s brother, which made him President Chen’s future brother-in-law!’

He hurriedly said with great respect, "President Zhao!"

Zhao Xiangjun blinked. "Please, President Xu, don’t be so formal. Go on with your work. You don’t need to mind me."

’How could I not mind you? Everyone here is a titan!’

Xu Jun could feel sweat beading on his forehead. Thankfully, Chen Xiao stepped in to break the tension. "President Xu, while your recent focus is on the Hanjiang Region, you need to pick up the pace in the surrounding areas as well. If you’re short on manpower, start recruiting."

’He was worried Xu Jun’s vision was too narrowly focused on Hanjiang Province. It was just one small area; Huaxia had countless provinces and regions full of good projects.’

’He’d also previously mentioned launching an acquisition of Ganglong International, but there had been no progress on that front. He didn’t blame Xu Jun, however; after all, Xu Jun was also short-staffed.’

’Zhao Hui was still responsible for—or rather, learning—the operations of a single mall, so he couldn’t provide much help.’

’Xu Jun was a chairman with no real army under him; his department’s HR structure wasn’t even fully built out. Naturally, Chen Xiao couldn’t be too harsh.’

’It’s not your fault you don’t have people now, but it will be if the situation doesn’t change. Xu Wu is an enlightened leader. As long as your requests are reasonable, she won’t turn you down.’

’She wouldn’t reject a request to spend more on recruitment for Junxiao Business Management Company, which is a key division of Junxiao Group.’

’The only other possibility was that Xu Jun was stuck in his old mindset, finding it difficult to ask for money. He had no idea that money was the one thing Boss Chen had in abundance.’

"If you need funding or special policies, go to President Xu."

Xu Jun was a very sharp man and took the hint immediately. He quickly declared, "President Chen, I’ll use this weekend to prepare a proposal for building our talent pipeline and outlining our needs. I’ll submit it to the Group for President Xu’s approval."

Chen Xiao gave a slight nod. "Regarding the first-floor adjustments, I just shared some ideas with President Hui. Have him report to you later, and then the two of you can formulate a comprehensive plan."

Xu Jun and Zhao Hui agreed in unison.

The group went up to the second floor and wandered around for a bit. Chen Xiao glanced at the time—it was almost 5:00 p.m.—and said to Xu Jun, "President Xu, you can go back to what you were doing."

Xu Jun understood this was his cue to leave and politely bid them farewell.

Tonight was strictly a family dinner, so of course, Xu Jun couldn’t be invited.

"Xu Jun is reliable and cautious, but he lacks an innovative streak. He’s probably getting on in years, and his thinking has become too rigid."

Zhao Hui, listening nearby, found that a difficult comment to respond to.

"Brother Hui, you need to keep pushing yourself. Your career doesn’t end as a director or even general manager of a single plaza. With a business this massive, I need people I can rely on, people with real ability, to help me."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hui was once again tempted to pledge his life and soul to him.

Thankfully, Chen Xiao reacted quickly and stopped him. "Do you need to go up and get ready? We’re heading to the restaurant in a bit."

"No need, I’ve already taken care of everything!"

Chen Xiao nodded. "Alright, let’s head straight there, then. It’s so noisy here, Xiangjun must have been getting restless."

Zhao Xiangjun said earnestly, "I’m fine, really. You two go ahead and talk. Don’t worry about me."

’As if Chen Xiao didn’t know her personality. She would endure almost anything to avoid inconveniencing others, even if she hated it.’

Waving for Zhao Hui to join him, they headed to the underground parking garage. As they passed the Junxing Automobile Exhibition Hall, which was under renovation, Chen Xiao asked, "Brother Hui, are you still driving that beat-up old Accord to work?"

It was almost ten years old, so "beat-up" was no exaggeration.

Zhao Hui looked a bit sheepish. He had been planning to get a new commuter car recently, as the Lantu Dream Chaser they had at home was certainly not suitable for his daily drive to work.

He had been hesitating, but ever since Junxiao Group acquired Junxing Auto, he had made up his mind about what car he would get.

’It’s Chen Xiao and my sister’s enterprise. Of course I have to be the first to support it. Wouldn’t I be a laughingstock otherwise?’

"I’ll drive it for a few more months, then I’ll switch to a Junxing M7!"

Chen Xiao roared with laughter. "Brother Hui, you’ve learned to pick sides too!"