Chapter 5, Mediation in Game Theory

Lin Qifan put down the cigarette and looked at Xu Zhuoyan: "Liao Yonghong can also make mistakes in judgment; it is truly inappropriate for you to be her deputy!"

Xu Zhuoyan emphasized three matters in 5 minutes: brand, quality, and profit margin, and then shifted the conversation by saying, "I would like to know General Manager Lin's opinion"

It is very simple, Haiwang does not need to stand out at this moment. We do not want to be the first to take the plunge, and I do not believe that selling cosmetics in pharmacies will yield significant sales. If you make a grand entrance and then quietly fade away, it does not matter if you withdraw, as you do not have much reputation anyway. However, I am different; every move I make is being watched by the entire Guangdong pharmacy industry. I have no need to take on this risk. Lin Qifan is speaking the truth.

Lin Qifan felt somewhat perplexed, furrowing his brows as he gently brushed off the long ash from his cigarette

Lin Qifan once again scrutinized the young girl across from him. Originally, this conversation was merely a formality; he was aware of Liao Yonghong and the project she was currently undertaking, but he had never taken the matter seriously.

Lin Qifan elegantly set aside the two packets of sugar, refraining from adding milk to the coffee. Instead, he stirred the coffee a few times with a small silver spoon from the saucer, then lifted it to take a sip. Xu Zhuoyan furrowed her brow, looking on with slight surprise, yet remained silent.

Is this what you did? To be honest, it is not just an accident, but also somewhat shocking

Lin Qifan once again scrutinized Xu Zhuoyan with great seriousness

As he frowned, he spoke first: "Please look at the first page and the last page"

Haha! Lin Qifan laughed heartily, his laughter somewhat unrestrained. Xu Zhuoyan frowned slightly, glancing around at the quiet and charming environment; his behavior was too flamboyant, making it difficult for others not to feel averse to such a person

At this moment, the waiter brought them their ordered drinks. Lin Qifan had a cup of black coffee, while Xu Zhuoyan ordered a cup of grapefruit tea. With all the troublesome matters converging these days, they felt the need to cool down the rising tension.

A cup of rich hot coffee, milk served in an exquisite vessel, and two small packets of sugar

Xu Zhuoyan was already aware of this reason early on, so she was well-prepared and took a report out of her bag, handing it to Lin Qifan

The waiter was clearly taken aback, glanced at her, and then smiled politely: "Manager Lin is here to take care of the bill, you don't need to pay, you may leave now"

Xu Zhuoyan's expression immediately fell; she admitted that when it comes to competing with middle-aged men, especially those in the business world, she indeed still lacks experience

Xu Zhuoyan felt somewhat frustrated and waved at the bar counter, saying: "Waiter, the bill please!"

Lin Qifan fell silent, and Xu Zhuoyan suddenly realized that he seemed less unpleasant in his silence. Silence indicated that he was thinking, and thinking suggested the possibility of being persuaded

Xu Zhuoyan did not smile, still wearing a serious expression. She took a sip of the pomelo tea in front of her and pointed with her finger at the coffee in front of Lin Qifan.

With a report spanning over ten pages, Lin Qifan naturally lacked the patience to read it. However, upon opening the first page, his gaze lingered on a segment of the introduction, which immediately captivated him. Instead of following Xu Zhuoyan's suggestion to go directly to the last page, he turned to the second page, then the third, and continued to read page by page.

Finally, when he closed the report, his expression unexpectedly bore a hint of gravity

At the window seat on the third floor of the Nord Center's Mingdian Café, Xu Zhuoyan faced Lin Qifan.

Xu Zhuoyan was in a cheerful mood, her demeanor very relaxed, and she said with a hint of jest: "I am very glad that this communication is taking place here, rather than in your office. Researchers from the American Psychological Association have pointed out that the caffeine in coffee can make people more amenable, meaning that coffee can help relax one's mood, lower defenses, and make one more 'soft-eared.' The Amazon bestseller 'Secrets of Sales Stars' also mentions that when you are 'tackling' a difficult client, it might be beneficial to offer them a cup of coffee, as this can enhance the appeal of your words and facilitate cooperation. Therefore, today’s coffee is on me!"

Then a barely perceptible smile quietly appeared at the corners of her lips. However, it was caught by Lin Qifan, who glanced at his watch and said with a stern expression: "You have fifteen minutes left"

Xu Zhuoyan leaned back, gently swaying with the inertia of the swing, "Tell me the reasons for the rejection!"

If you truly feel there is a risk, you may opt for a conservative collaboration method, which is a fixed rent. We will provide you with a fixed rental fee, and the sales revenue will naturally be unrelated to you. Even in the event of losses in the future, the interests of Haiwang during the contract period can be guaranteed. Of course, if you choose the revenue-sharing method, you have just seen the data; the profit margin and guaranteed minimum are incomparable to other pharmaceuticals and health products

Xu Zhuoyan nodded and said: "I have heard that you did not originally come from the pharmaceutical industry. When you took over Haiwang, you managed to refresh the traditional pharmaceutical industry in just a few years by integrating pharmacies through the management and service of specialty stores, which in itself is an innovation. Therefore, I believe that you are merely cautious rather than conservative when it comes to new things, new products, and new marketing models. I am confident that as long as I present you with convincing facts, you will consider accepting them"

Stare at him until that cup of coffee is completely finished

Lin Qifan remained silent, genuinely surprised. He extinguished the half-finished cigarette in the ashtray, glanced at his phone, and noted the time: 30 minutes. Within those 30 minutes, he had indeed been persuaded. "Alright, tomorrow afternoon, I will have Manager Yu from the procurement department contact you"

Lin Qifan stood up, glanced at Xu Zhuoyan, and left without looking back

Lin Qifan seemed unable to bear her happiness, his pair of eyes, both righteous and wicked, glaring at her recklessly: "Don't be too happy too soon. I will give you five stores first, with a limit of three months. If your reported sales reach double the amount, then we can discuss the matter of comprehensive cooperation!"

Xu Zhuoyan, with a blank expression, said: "If you regard me as a business partner, you may certainly do as you please. If not, then as a woman, you should maintain your decorum and refrain from smoking"

Xu Zhuoyan immediately broke into a smile, letting out a long sigh of relief

Xu Zhuoyan spoke again: "Haiwang Chenhui, when you chose this name, you must have hoped for it to encompass all rivers and be scattered like stars, aiming to hold a significant position in China's pharmaceutical industry and become a leading enterprise. Therefore, innovation and exploration should be the style and inertia of your journey in business. Today, please open a convenient door for 'Shuiyang', allowing us to witness this new growth point in the industry together"

Xu Zhuoyan faced Lin Qifan, finding it difficult to maintain a calm demeanor. Although she had been trying her best to restrain herself from making preconceived judgments, she still overlooked the negotiation tactics that should be considered during discussions. Instead, she adopted the most straightforward approach of "getting straight to the point": "I would like to know the reason for your opposition to our entry into the store, Mr. Lin"

Lin Qifan leaned back, took a cigarette from the pack, lit it under Xu Zhuoyan's gaze, took a deep puff, and exhaled a large smoke ring that gradually dispersed. With a half-smile, he looked at Xu Zhuoyan and said, "How can you be so sure that I will agree?"

"Dizzy, those wicked rich people, it's not like it's the village's small shop, can a chain coffee shop even keep accounts?" Xu Zhuoyan said indignantly as she also walked out of the store

Xu Zhuoyan was quite surprised, but without thinking, she blurted out: "I do not know the nature of your relationship with General Liao, but this matter has been entrusted to me by General Liao, so I will naturally do my utmost!"

Lin Qifan chuckled softly, took a cigarette out of the pack, glanced at Xu Zhuoyan, and with an air of either pretense or genuine gentlemanliness, asked, "May I smoke?"

The floor-to-ceiling glass is adorned with a clear curtain of water, instantly separating oneself from the clamor of mundane affairs, creating a tranquil and pleasant environment. Moreover, the seating consists of those rattan-style swings, though it is a pity that there is no companion.