Chapter 1282: Chapter 668: Jewelry Store Preparations (Part 2)

After finishing this drink, the relationship between the two of them naturally became much closer, and they both learned some details about each other.

Manager Li’s real name is Li Chaoqiang, and he’s already over forty years old this year. The main reason he became the manager of the investment promotion department is not due to his personal capabilities, but because his uncle is a shareholder in Baijia Real Estate Group, the company behind Baijia Square.

Baijia Real Estate is valued at hundreds of billions and has some recognition domestically, being one of the top companies in the province.

Thanks to having solid backing at the company headquarters, he was sent here to serve as the investment promotion department manager after this new mall was developed, a position with quite lucrative benefits.

In a couple of years, he’ll be promoted to the headquarters.

Chen Feng, on the other hand, was rather reserved when talking to him, only mentioning that he invested in a few companies over in Xiu Zhou and usually resides there.

He opened the jewelry store back in his hometown mainly to give his parents something light to do.

Li Chaoqiang was very impressed by Chen Feng’s reason for opening the store, praised him for being a filial son, and toasted him three glasses, making Chen Feng feel like he was just taking the opportunity to drink Moutai.

Li Chaoqiang was thoroughly enjoying it; he had wisely chosen to ride with Chen Feng originally, and the nature of his job as an investment promotion department manager meant he could drink during working hours, allowing plenty of flexibility.

However, after the drinking session ended, Chen Feng drove him back to Baijia Square.

This time, Yu Xiaohui was driving, since the county town isn’t very far from Yuelou Town anyway.

After dropping off Li Chaoqiang, Yu Xiaohui took Chen Feng to the administrative service center to register the jewelry store and process the business license.

Having the property certificate from the mall, Chen Feng could proceed even though he hadn’t received the property title yet.

Registering companies and enterprises is quite swift now, especially with mobile app assistance, making it even easier.

With queuing and processing, it took less than an hour.

With Yu Xiaohui assisting, Chen Feng saved quite some trouble.

Though it might take a few days to get the business license, they could start hiring employees meanwhile. Yu Xiaohui, familiar with this aspect too, was tasked with handling it.

Currently, the jewelry store doesn’t require too many openly recruited employees. His parents already count as two, and the designated store manager would be recommended by Yu Xiaohui, with Ni Yuhua internally appointed as sales supervisor.

Therefore, the maximum recruitment would include two more shop assistants, several sales staff, two security guards, alongside one accountant and cashier.

Regarding a cashier, his mom, as the assistant store manager, can also handle this; it’s the safest option. For additional computing tasks, they might need to hire an assistant.

If other positions become necessary in the future, they could recruit then.

Among these roles, except for the store manager candidate, Chen Feng left the recruitment to Yu Xiaohui.

Chen Feng wasn’t bothered with picking each one personally, trusting Yu Xiaohui’s reliability in this aspect.

After all, she had initially co-founded a jewelry store with her husband.

Since he drank, he needed Yu Xiaohui to drive, and she couldn’t join him for dinner at his house, so he first returned to the hotel with her.

In the car, Chen Feng sent a voice message to his mom, saying he had plans tonight and wouldn’t be home for dinner, also indicating he might not come home to sleep.

Soon enough Zhao Xiaolan replied, with some complaints, reminding him to drink less.

Additionally, she reminded him to definitely come home for lunch tomorrow, since it would be his niece Little Xue’s birthday, requiring the whole family to gather.

Chen Feng naturally agreed immediately.

After ending the call with his mom, Chen Feng took advantage of being nearby and free, suggesting Yu Xiaohui drive him to a toy store in the county town to pick out a proper birthday gift for his niece.

Yu Xiaohui obediently drove him to a relatively large and established toy store in the old county town. After they both looked it over, they finally bought a children’s bicycle.

Chen Feng recalled that his older niece Little Yu previously had a bicycle she liked, but its quality wasn’t great, eventually breaking down and being unrepairable, leading to no new one being bought.

This time, he decided to buy one for Little Xue, allowing the sisters to play together.

After purchasing the gift, just as the two were about to get in the car and return to the hotel, they unexpectedly ran into Wang Fang and Li Chao.

Neither of them expected to bump into Chen Feng here; initially, they seemed surprised and panicked but soon regained their composure. Li Chao even proactively greeted him, "Chen Feng, what a coincidence running into you here."

While speaking, he couldn’t help but scrutinize Yu Xiaohui with his eyes.

"Yeah, it truly is a coincidence. You and Wang Fang, are you... shopping?"

Chen Feng subtly smiled at Li Chao and then glanced at Wang Fang, who seemed slightly uneasy. When Chen Feng’s gaze shifted toward a nearby hotel, she appeared even more tense.

Li Chao, however, remained unaffected by Chen Feng’s gaze, chuckled, and nodded, saying, "Yeah, I happened to run into her on the street, so we took a stroll and chatted."

Admiring Li Chao’s cheekiness, Chen Feng smiled and replied, "Today seems like a lucky day for you, first bumping into Wang Fang, then me."

"Haha, absolutely, it’d be even better if you treated me to a meal," Li Chao quickly followed up.

Chen Feng didn’t pursue the subject, instead asking, "When are you planning to return to Shanghai?"

Li Chao said, "With the rare chance of coming home for National Day, I’ll surely head back after the holiday ends."

"So in three or four days, are you planning to hang out with classmates the whole time?"

While speaking, Chen Feng smiled at Wang Fang.

Now, Wang Fang gradually calmed down, pretending to embody her earlier carefree nature, laughing, saying, "Li Chao claims to be bored these days, wanting to gather with friends still at home. Besides, he plans to partner with our class leader for entrepreneurship, possibly establishing a factory here at home; I think their project looks promising, considering investing in it. Do you have the investment appetite?"

Chen Feng, curious, asked, "What’s the project?"

Li Chao chimed in, saying, "Adult toys; the market is quite promising. Our class leader and I both see its potential. If done well, profits can be substantial."

He openly discussed the project now, understanding that to expand and strengthen, initial investment needs are significant, requiring more partners.

Upon learning about this business, Chen Feng inwardly felt some aversion. Though he doesn’t despise the business, he certainly wouldn’t want to invest in it.

He doesn’t lack money, and investing in this line of work surely wouldn’t raise his standing.

"I’ll pass on this," Chen Feng directly shook his head, refusing.

"Would you consider it a bit more?" Wang Fang urged, "Many classmates really favor the project; several have already planned to invest some money in."

"I just planned to open a jewelry store, so I don’t have extra funds right now."

Chen Feng could only deflect this way.