一路向西 粤语

Chapter 106: Rancor

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

On Saturday morning, Chen Taitong was standing at the door of Stars Pet Chain Supermarket with a big smile. He was wearing a vinous new Chinese traditional shirt to welcome his customers. Behind him stood his staff with new clothes and colorful ribbons in hand. A red carpet extended from the sidewalk to the door.

It was the first promotion day. The whole store was well decorated as if it was Chinese New Year. He called in all the staff for today’s big promotion. No one was allowed to take today off. He also promised twice the commission for every pet sold. The staff were all excited about the new commission plan, so everyone was extremely happy and ready for a big day of sales.

This was the benefit of having a franchise store. Promotions in a directly operated store needed to be filed and approved from the regional general manager; however, a franchise store could control daily operations and was much more flexible.

Through this battle, Chen Taitong wanted to KO not only Amazing Fate Pet Shop, but also the other small pet shops in the area. He was ready for losing some money short-term. It takes money to make money. As long as this battle could help him succeed over the other stores, he could then monopolize the local market. At that time, he could price as he wished. All the money lost today was going to come back tomorrow.

Stars Pet Chain Supermarket’s standardized purchasing and delivery system was the best in the industry. No one could beat their cost.

However, as time passed, he felt more and more stressed.

Even before the customers showed up, a group gathered across from the store. They held up signs saying that his store was selling second quality pets and requested his apologies. The group was very annoying.

Chen Taitong decided not to compromise. In his opinion, he was making money the right way, the corporate way. The group should not judge him.

Apparently, the group heard about the promotion and they came prepared for the huge fight. The attendance doubled,at least. Some people came with their entire families. From children to the elderly, everyone was there. Some brought water and food. Someone even brought a loudspeaker – the kind that was extremely loud, disturbing, and used in public square dancing.

As soon as he saw the loudspeaker, Chen Taitong turned pale.

He yelled, “Get me the phone! I have to call the police!”

“Boss, there are some policemen under the trees.” A sharp worker pointed at the shade not far away.

Normally, there was one police car parked under the trees. There were two today. Maybe the policemen heard about the promotion and came over in case any violence took place?

Chen Taitong was shaking with anger, but couldn’t think of anything to stop the group. Suddenly, he turned around and spoke to the staff. “Come on! Go borrow some loudspeakers from surrounding stores. The more the better! I have to fight back!”

The staff all went out for loudspeakers. The neighboring stores were all watching what was going on. Some even started filming.

A customer came around 9:30.

At the same time, the group turned on the loudspeaker. A disturbing loud announcement flooded the store like a powerful wave. “Stars Pet Chain Supermarket hires an internet water army for promotions that deceive, plays foul with customers, hides their pets’ health problems, and refuses to pay for the vet costs from the pets’ concealed sickness! Customers, please open your eyes! Don’t be fooled like us! Go to another store for pets!”

The spokesman was a middle-age man. Other people held up their homemade wooden signs with all sorts of slogans. Some signs had a huge picture of the pet and the vet report. It was astonishing.

The first customer was shocked before even entering the store and was about to leave. Chen Taitong grabbed his arm and spoke through a loudspeaker, “Don’t listen to them! Those people were sent by our competitors! We are an honest and reputable store. Stars Pet Chain Supermarket is a huge corporation. We wouldn’t deceive our customers like they said.”

Why did he talk through the loudspeaker? Because that was the only way the customer could hear him.

The customer’s face suddenly darkened. He freed himself from Chen Taitong and left without letting him finish. It looked like he was going towards Amazing Fate Pet Shop.

That was not good!

What day was it? It was a Saturday, a Saturday morning! It was the day most students and workers would sleep in. They could not bear such a disturbance! The emergency call center got a lot more complaints than usual. Some people didn’t even care what was going on, but only wanted to stop the noise!

The two police cars took action before the emergency call center dispatched the police. Half the policemen went to stop the group and half tried to stop Chen Taitong. Both were told that they could stay but could not use loudspeakers.

Both sides stopped after the warning from the police.

It didn’t take long for the third police car to show up. It parked directly between the protesting group and the store.

In fact, the police’s action was beneficial to Chen Taitong. At least his store resumed peacefully and quietly. A police car parked right in front of his store wasn’t a good thing but he could do nothing about it.

It was almost 10 o’clock. There came more pedestrians.

A young couple walked by the store. Chen Taitong and his staff all put on big smiles and said, “Welcome! Please come in! Everything is 50% off today! We also have gifts with purchase. Take home a cute kitten or doggie!”

“Really? That is great! Let’s take a look!” the two lovebirds walked in the store.

A few minutes later, a middle-aged housewife also came.

It was almost noon, and more customers came. Some even came with friends. The store had never been so busy!

Chen Taitong was happy. See? Low price is king!

He regretted not pushing the price war earlier. Otherwise, he would not have needed the internet water army, and the Amazing Fate Pet Shop wouldn’t have lived this long.

He laughed at the group across the street. No matter what they do, it won’t work! They are just wasting their energy! Such a group of losers!

As he was secretly cheering in his heart, a worker rushed out and could not catch her breath.

“Bo…boss…”

Chen Taitong smiled. “What’s up? How is it going? Remember to call purchasing manager Qian Fang for more pets once stock runs low.”

“No… Boss, no. You need to look for yourself…” The worker looked worried. “It is out of control inside.”