The Humanities Department secured second place, and beyond the collective honor, it was especially beneficial for one person—Mu Wenling, the female vice president of the student union. Mu Wenling had put in a lot of effort for this debate competition. Initially, Hu Xiuping and Zuo Xiaoli were focused on dealing with Chen Han Sheng, but they ended up being countered, and both of them seemed a bit deflated after that.
With the debate competition over, Guo Zhongyun felt relieved. As a type of tutor who simply clocked in, he always hoped everything would go smoothly, and society would remain harmonious.
"Teacher Guo, our winter vacation starts on January 14th. How about we organize an end-of-year party for our class?" Chen Han Sheng suggested directly to Guo Zhongyun when he saw everyone gathered.
The students were naturally happy to hear there would be food before the break, and they eagerly agreed. Guo Zhongyun didn't want to disappoint them, so he responded, "I have no problem with that. Just let me know when."
Chen Han Sheng wasn't satisfied with just that: "Teacher Guo, don't come alone this year. Bring your wife and Jia Hui along."
"Ah? Isn't that a bit inappropriate?" Guo Zhongyun hesitated.
"What's inappropriate? It'll be livelier with more people," Chen Han Sheng replied, then asked, "Don't you want to have a meal with Teacher Guo's wife?"
"Yes!" the students from Class 2 of Public Administration responded enthusiastically.
Guo Zhongyun was touched. After so many years of being a tutor, he had attended plenty of class gatherings, but rarely had students taken the initiative to invite his wife and daughter.
Some students might have invited him, but Guo Zhongyun himself always felt awkward about it. However, when Chen Han Sheng invited him, it felt natural, as though it was the right time.
"Alright, then I'll bring my family along," Guo Zhongyun agreed with a smile.
He stood for a moment, preparing to leave, but Chen Han Sheng secretly followed him.
"Teacher Guo, there's something I'd like to ask for your help with."
"What's the matter?"
"Well, I've skipped a lot of classes this semester, and my conduct score has been heavily deducted. Can you talk to the teachers and help me get a passing grade for my daily conduct?"
Chen Han Sheng said with a hint of embarrassment.
"You only realized now?" Guo Zhongyun shot him a glare. "I've warned you many times to cut down on skipping classes, but you never listened. With only half a month left until the exam, even if you make up for your conduct grade, you'll still fail if your exam score isn't enough."
Although Guo Zhongyun didn't agree to help right away, given their relationship, not refusing was essentially an acceptance.
Chen Han Sheng understood the unspoken meaning and immediately reassured him, "Don't worry, I'll definitely pass the exam!"
After Guo Zhongyun left, Chen Han Sheng, who had just boasted, now looked troubled. His university textbooks were practically untouched, and passing the exams seemed quite difficult.
However, it was unrealistic to expect Chen Han Sheng to study seriously. In the following days, whenever he had free time, he ran over to Zhong Jiancheng's place. He didn't talk about any specific business but just smoked, chatted, occasionally lent a hand, and joined them for lunch or dinner.
In the end, Zhong Jiancheng could no longer stand it and handed him a business card. "This is from Chang Xiaoping, the general manager of the Jianye branch. Liu Zhizhou should be there as well. I know you've been thinking about that express delivery business for the Hong Kong-funded electronics factory."
"However, I have to warn you, this is a high-risk business," Zhong Jiancheng said seriously.
Chen Han Sheng didn't want to escalate the situation with Zhong Jiancheng but he knew that Su Dong Province had been quite safe during this nationwide respiratory disease outbreak. He simply nodded and said, "I'll go and understand the situation first, and then decide whether to take it on."
As expected, Liu Zhizhou and Chang Xiaoping were indeed looking for an express delivery team for the electronics factory. However, when the franchisees heard that the factory was Hong Kong-funded and there were Hong Kong people involved, they all backed out.
"Ah, this is the problem with the franchisee management system. They only listen to instructions but not orders," Chang Xiaoping sighed helplessly.
Kong Jing, who was about to take over from Chang Xiaoping, said, "Shunfeng started eliminating franchisees two years ago and switched to a vertical management system. I wonder if we can reach that level."
Deputy General Manager Liu Zhizhou shook his head. "Shunfeng and Shentong's models are different. We're still focused on development, and we must rely on franchisees. Returning to the matter at hand, not only has Zhong Jiancheng in Jiangling refused, but franchisees from areas like Changshou, Gulou, Pukou, and Qixia are also unwilling to take on the business."
"Should we transfer people from the headquarters? The business isn't huge, but it could affect the relationship between the two companies. If Shentong wants to expand in Hong Kong, they'll need support from there," Chang Xiaoping suggested.
Liu Zhizhou thought for a moment. "It's best if the service team comes from Jianye, or even better from Jiangling."
"Is it too late to recruit and train people?" Kong Jing asked.
"Time is one thing, but the willingness of others is the key," Liu Zhizhou sighed. "If no one is willing, we'll have to pull people from headquarters. If there aren't enough people, the management will have to step in."
While they were discussing, the front desk reported that someone named "Chen Han Sheng" was visiting.
"He seems to be one of the student agents from Zhong Jiancheng's side. He speaks quite smoothly and has a bit of wild energy," Chang Xiaoping recalled his impression of Chen Han Sheng.
When Chen Han Sheng entered the office, he saw Liu Zhizhou and the others staring at him. He simply stated his purpose: "I'm a student agent under Manager Zhong from Jiangling. I was wondering if you've found a delivery team for that Hong Kong-funded electronics factory yet?"
Chang Xiaoping was surprised, especially since Chen Han Sheng looked like a young university student. He cautiously asked, "You want to take it on?"
Chen Han Sheng didn't give a direct answer. "I just want to understand the situation first. Even if it's suitable, I still need to check with others."
This vague response gave Chen Han Sheng more room to maneuver. Liu Zhizhou paused and then said, "Then let's go check out the factory. But I have an engagement with Chang Xiaoping later, so Kong Jing will go with you and also familiarize herself with Jianye's geography."
Kong Jing didn't refuse, but since there weren't enough cars in the Jianye branch, the two of them took a taxi.
Once they arrived, Kong Jing thought Chen Han Sheng would sit in the front, but he surprisingly sat next to her. With a woman who smelled faintly of perfume and had a good figure, Chen Han Sheng definitely didn't want to sit next to the driver.
…
The destination was the "New Century Electronics Manufacturing Factory." The factory covered a large area, and the marble plaza looked quite impressive.
Chen Han Sheng and Kong Jing waited at the entrance for a while before a middle-aged man leisurely approached.
"I'm Zhao Chunming, the deputy director of logistics at New Century. You're here to discuss the delivery business, right?"
Kong Jing nodded. "Hello, Director Zhao. I'm Kong Jing, General Manager of Shentong Express at the Jianye branch."
Zhao Chunming had an air of superiority. Without inviting them inside, he spoke directly at the entrance: "Shunfeng ended cooperation with us, but that's their loss. First of all, congratulations to Shentong for choosing us. Secondly, with the year-end approaching and many workers returning home, a big figure from Hong Kong will be visiting us next year. We can discuss the specific process then."
It was clear that Zhao Chunming had no intention of inviting them to lunch. Once the business talk was done, Chen Han Sheng and Kong Jing left.
"Manager Kong, would you like to have lunch at our school?" Chen Han Sheng invited.
Kong Jing smiled and said, "Next time. It's Christmas Eve today, and I won't be the third wheel for you young people."
Chen Han Sheng suddenly remembered that tomorrow was December 25th, Christmas Day.
"I never thought it would come so soon," Chen Han Sheng sighed. A scumbag like him always fears holidays because he never knows who he should spend them with.