Chapter 33: Escalating Conflict

Project No. 1 has been rapidly put into construction, with massive investment capital. This has also raised the revenue expectations for Shen’s company.

In Dongling Shengning Mall, many layers of management believe that the rent for the mall’s shops should be increased by 10%.

In Shanghai, even a few square meters of shop rent is considered expensive, not to mention a mall occupying hundreds of square meters in Dongling District.

The total profit of Shengning Mall is in the millions.

The initial investment made by Shen’s when they first entered Shanghai also played a fundamental role.

The Dongling area is a key economic zone in Shanghai. If the rent is increased by 10%, the revenue gained will greatly compensate for the losses in the Dongling area.

Almost all departments at all levels are leaning towards Deputy General Manager Zheng’s opinion. He and General Manager Xiao were the first to be transferred to Shanghai. Shen Muyan was too busy to speak, so the branch offices…

…agreed. Shen Muyan meticulously reviewed the planning document handed to her by Secretary Zheng Wen from beginning to end, then pushed it to the side.

The expected situation still happened.

The higher-level management didn’t believe her.

“General Manager Shen, the current rent level has been stable for two years. The profits of some shops in Shengning Mall have been better than expected in the past two years. Increasing the rent by 10% is just a few tens of thousands of yuan difference. It’s just a drop in the bucket. Why…”

“Drop in the bucket?” Shen Muyan only felt that this phrase was a generalization.

For brands that have entered the mall, it is indeed true that their profits are extremely high. But for individual business owners, it’s a different story.

Higher-level decisions often easily overlook this layer. For them, collecting rent on time is enough, they don’t need to consider how other people pay their rent.

They have forgotten how these businesses entered Shengning Group in the first place.

Since Shen Muyan decided to take over Shanghai affairs, she had already thoroughly understood everything that had happened since the businesses entered the mall. She was meticulous in her attention to detail.

Shen’s developed through securities investment. When they first entered Shanghai, they were in the construction industry, with no background and faced with pressure from their peers. After the construction of Shengning Mall was successful, her father personally went to the site, raising funds through various channels and striving to attract businesses to enter.

Now, they have finally established a reputation, their development is stable, and now someone is trying to take advantage of the situation.

In the next two years, the previous foundation will increase by 10% in rent, which will be tens of millions of yuan.

Her voice was calm, but her tone was firm.

The document was not signed, and the resolution was not finalized. Zheng Wen, who had originally been smiling, suddenly became serious and looked at Shen Muyan with disdain.

“This little girl, she wants to command us? She’s so timid and overthinking everything.

I told you, women are not suitable for business circles. Why does General Manager Shen keep putting her in charge?”

“The commercial development in Dongling is now on an upward trend. If we give it a good push, we will definitely be able to reverse the situation. Why are you clinging to Shengning?”

“Deputy General Manager Zheng, are you trying to avoid the difficult and choose the easy, to escape the problem?”

Shen Muyan’s lips curled into a sneer, not at all afraid of the doubts and scrutiny of the higher-level management. She turned her head and looked at Zheng Wen.

“The commercial development in Dongling is already in decline. The commercial development in the city is booming. Why are you still trying to renovate it?”

“But are you willing to buy the commercial street, Deputy General Manager Zheng?”

“Seeing that it’s difficult to make a profit, it’s difficult to recoup the investment, so you push the project away? You don’t care about…”

Shen Muyan’s beautiful face showed no restraint in her sarcasm. Her calm and flat tone, every word made Zheng Wen feel ashamed.

“General Manager Shen, we shouldn’t be discussing this.” Zheng Wen interrupted her, raising his voice, trying to use this to overwhelm Shen Muyan.

Shen Muyan noticed the fleeting panic in Zheng Wen’s eyes. “What’s wrong with Dongling?”

“The focus of today’s meeting is to discuss how to make up for the huge investment in Project No. 1. What does Dongling have to do with it?”

“Besides, Deputy General Manager Zheng has better solutions, right?”

She pressed on step by step, every sentence was full of meaning.

Zheng Wen looked at General Manager Xiao for a moment, and after a few seconds of silence, Xiao Songyang took the initiative to change the subject.

“Dongling has a long history, and the government does not allow excessive development of the area. Therefore, it can only maintain the traditional commercial model and it is difficult to make a profit. At present, the only thing left is…”

The more he talked, the more he emphasized the importance of Dongling’s ancient commercial area, the more curious Shen Muyan became.

She seemed to have found two handles.

The meeting ended rather happily. Two hours passed, and they didn’t discuss anything meaningful. Zheng Wen left in a huff, not caring about Shen Muyan’s face at all.

He was furious.

“This little girl has no ability, but she’s quick with her tongue.”

“General Manager Zheng, General Manager Shen has already focused her attention on Dongling. If she really investigates the problem, we’re in trouble.”

“Hmph! I’ve already made the accounts look good, I believe in my ability.”

Inside the closed office, Zheng Wen slammed his fist on the desk with a loud bang.

He thought that after Shen’s made so much money, the company would send someone to Shanghai to take charge. He thought he would be in charge.

But instead, they sent a newly graduated girl to step on his head. For him, it was an insult.