Lu Nan herself had worked her way up from the level of a sales rep, so of course, she didn’t like overtime either. 

However, when she reached the position of city manager and saw things progressing well but her subordinates were still eating, it really made her anxious. 

These seasoned veterans needed to tighten up. 

Lu Nan didn’t care about how Huang Dafang might be silently complaining. She directly said, “Preparing the simplest promotional material will take about one to two hours. Either go to the city office now, or come at seven tomorrow morning. You two can choose.” 

Qian Xin had sobered up quite a bit. He checked his phone and said, “Then let’s just, just go now?” As he spoke, he looked over at his Brother Huang, with whom he had built a strong bond over the past week. 

Huang Dafang felt that this young man, Qian, was probably scared stiff by Manager Lu. 

He thought, well, I smoked his cigarettes and ate his food, I might as well keep him company. 

Also, Huang had a private concern: although it was only just after 7, they might not finish until 9 or 10, and leaving just Lu Nan and Qian Xin alone in the office might not be appropriate. 

What can I say, I’m just kind-hearted. Huang Dafang thought to himself, then gritted his teeth and said, “Forget about tomorrow morning, let’s do it tonight. The sooner we finish the materials, the sooner we can go home and sleep.” 

Once an agreement was reached, Lu Nan clapped her hands and said, “Pack up what’s left of your food. If you get hungry later, just microwave it and keep eating.” 

Huang Dafang didn’t expect Manager Lu to bring up taking leftovers. “I thought someone as pretty as you wouldn’t take leftovers when going out for a meal, because it’s kind of embarrassing.” 

Lu Nan took it as a compliment, glanced at him, and emphasized, “Face? Face is for others to see, but conscience is for yourself. Wasting food is shameful.” 

Qian Xin quickly paid the bill and even ordered a separate portion of fried noodles for Lu Nan. He sheepishly said, “After hearing what you said, I realized you just came back from Wucheng. You probably didn’t even have time to eat. We’ve already picked through the dishes, so you can have the fresh ones packed.” He scratched his head and started packing up the leftovers. 

Lu Nan’s stomach growled right on cue. She paused, hand halfway into her purse, and swallowed back the words she was about to say about not eating. 

So it’s true—whether it’s mental or physical labor, once you exceed your physical limits, even well-established habits can be broken and new ones formed, right? 

Lu Nan felt a bit helpless, but then thought about how she had been driving around for the past few days and dealing with shrewd distributors. A plate of fried noodles tonight didn’t seem too unreasonable. 

Huang Dafang and Qian Xin, holding the packed food, arrived by Lu Nan’s car and both, without speaking, said to her, “Manager Lu, we’ve been drinking. We’re afraid it’ll bother you, so we’ll sit in the back.” 

It was only a ten-minute drive, and Lu Nan casually nodded. 

After they arrived at the city office, Lu Nan took out the key—only she and Zheng Jing had one—and unlocked the door. She said, “I’ll eat a bit of fried noodles first, and you guys go wash your faces and wake up.” 

A few minutes later, in the meeting room. 

Lu Nan turned on the projector and displayed the information she had prepared on Shunfa Wholesale Department: “Shunfa Wholesale Department, registered capital of 500,000, owner Yang Xianfa, 47 years old, a local from Hua’an City. He previously ran a small shop and has been in the liquor wholesale business for seven years…” 

It seemed like pre-war intelligence, and now, displayed on the screen, Huang Dafang almost felt like he was at a police case analysis meeting. He couldn’t help but ask, “Manager Lu, I’ve been wanting to ask you—where did you get this information from?” 

Lu Nan smiled and replied, “I use the Yellow Pages, corporate information platforms, and also hear things through word of mouth from industry insiders.” 

“But Manager Lu, you’ve only been in Hua’an City for a short time,” Huang Dafang exclaimed. He didn’t quite understand the Yellow Pages search, but the last method was clearly about asking around. 

She had only just arrived in the city, and she could already gather information from industry insiders? 

Lu Nan raised an eyebrow. “Is there a problem? For future cooperation, Sister Tian is happy to provide information. After all, she’s a smart person and knows that the liquor market in Hua’an City is far from something she can monopolize after her divorce. Especially for products like small liquor that require a lot of manpower to distribute in suburban and rural areas, her current staff is seriously insufficient. At most, she can control about 1/5 to 1/4 of the distribution market in Hua’an City. Since that’s the case, why not sell the data to me for a good cause?” 

“No, you’re amazing! Please continue,” Huang Dafang said, thinking to himself that being a local might soon no longer be an advantage for him. That thought gave him a slight sense of panic… 

“Alright, let’s move on.” Lu Nan continued, “You’ve memorized the client info I just showed, right?” 

Both Huang Dafang and Qian Xin nodded. After visiting Shunfa for two or three days straight, they had the info down. 

Then, Lu Nan opened another document: “Yuan Chuan Group Liquor Sales Co., Ltd. – Investment Policies.” 

She then asked, “Do you remember this? This should be part of the training every new employee receives.” 

“I’ve completely forgotten,” Huang Dafang honestly said. “Actually, the work in daily channels is just a part of what’s written in the investment policy. But, none of us really take the time to memorize everything. Old Liu used to always say that rote memorization is useless. Probably, only Xiao Luo might have memorized it all.” 

“Indeed, rote memorization is useless. Not only does it fail to demonstrate professionalism, but it also makes potential clients think we’re just reciting empty words with no sincerity,” Lu Nan said, knowing it would be like this. “So, we need to learn and apply the knowledge. Let’s say Mr. Yang from Shunfa is here now. Xiao Qian, how would you talk to him?” 

Qian Xin thought for a moment and said, “Tell him about our pricing advantages and distribution policies for small liquor.” 

“That’s too vague. Almost all beverage manufacturers say the same to potential clients,” Lu Nan shook his head. “Although the mainstream products in the tobacco and liquor channels are priced higher than in the distribution channel, there are still some similarities. So, Manager Huang, how would you explain it?” 

“The more you sell, the more rebates you get, and we have bottle-opening prize activities, hmm…” Huang Dafang’s practical experience is still somewhat richer, even though his ability to organize language is average, Lu Nan still understood. 

One doesn’t know everything, and the other can’t explain it clearly. 

Lu Nan felt like he was teaching two elementary school students… he almost wanted to say, “Look at the board.” 

“Right, the company’s investment attraction policy mainly has twelve points, but for the distribution channel, advertising, training support, wine tasting, and event support are not particularly attractive. Small liquor in the distribution channel is priced under 20 yuan—although products in the entire liquor industry are generally categorized as fast-moving consumer goods, we need to understand that our company’s luxury-grade, classic, and harmony liquors already surpass the ‘drinking’ value and are more about the tasting experience. Therefore, small liquor in distribution is the real fast-moving consumer product. It relies on consumers’ frequent and repetitive use and consumption to gain profit and value through market scale,” Lu Nan said, looking at Huang Dafang and Qian Xin, who both looked confused, and helplessly added, “Supervisor Huang, how many days does it take you to drink a bottle of small liquor?” 

Huang Dafang replied, stunned, “Days? I can drink two 100ml bottles in one meal—eight in two days!” 

“Moderate drinking, Supervisor Huang. That’s what fast-moving consumer goods mean,” Lu Nan reminded him, continuing, “Based on the product characteristics and pricing of small liquor, potential clients are generally more concerned about year-end rebates, promotional expenses, and return policies. So, we need to discuss these aspects…” 

What rebates, and what percentage of promotional costs are there when the total contract amount is 500,000? 

If the targets are exceeded, how much more rebate and expenses will be added? 

These are the most important issues for potential clients, and also the bait the factory side uses during negotiations, which must be maintained as a baseline. 

“As for returns, there must be agreements: time limits for returns, return ratios, and how compensation is calculated for damaged or defective goods…” 

Lu Nan’s explanation was full of useful information. At first, Qian Xin was taking notes, but soon realized that writing was too slow! Fortunately, he noticed that Huang Dafang had already turned on the recording mode on his phone, so Qian Xin quietly said, “Brother Huang, let me listen to the recording later.” 

Just as Lu Nan was about to finish going over the key points for the investment materials, there was a knock on the door outside. 

In the middle of the night, Huang Dafang jumped up and hid behind Qian Xin’s chair. 

The knocking grew louder: “Who’s in there? Come out! If you don’t, I’ll call the police!” 

Lu Nan listened carefully, then told Qian Xin to open the door: “It’s the landlord.” 

Huang said in disbelief, “The landlord?” Then, switching to dialect, he talked through the door. After a few words, he smiled awkwardly, “The landlord thought someone had broken into the office. I’ll get the door.” 

Huang Dafang opened the door, and the landlord auntie, wearing a cotton pajamas, stood at the door: “You’re still working overtime?” This was strange because the company had rented her place for three or four years, and they had never worked overtime before. 

Lu Nan and Qian Xin also came out of the meeting room. 

“Hello, Auntie,” Lu Nan greeted the landlord. 

The landlord said, “I was locking the main door and saw your lights still on. I thought something was off—what if it was a thief?” 

Lu Nan responded sincerely, “Auntie, if it were a thief, knocking like that would be very dangerous.” 

“I’m fine. My son and daughter-in-law are upstairs watching TV. I just call and they’ll answer,” the landlord said, still a bit uneasy, walking around inside the house. When she saw the bright lights in the meeting room and the materials being projected, she finally felt relieved. 

Lu Nan noticed the landlord’s expression closely. 

The landlord then said to Lu Nan, “I heard from Xiao Zheng that you were on a business trip during the day. So, you just got back tonight, and you’re still giving them extra lessons?” 

Huang Dafang and Qian Xin nodded awkwardly. 

The landlord clicked her tongue in an unclear tone, likely in disapproval, then told Lu Nan, “You should go home early and rest. Don’t overwork yourself. You’re the boss. Do less yourself and make them work more. I’ve been watching them every day. They got used to slacking off under that previous manager Liu!” 

Huang Dafang almost cried: “Aunt, we’re both from Hua’an. Please don’t say I’m lazy in front of my boss!” 

Lu Nan found it funny, but nodded firmly. “Yes, yes. Thank you for the reminder, Auntie. That’s exactly the plan—teach them now so I can relax later.”