Becoming a Russian Oligarch After Rebirth
Chapter 496 Help me with Something_1

Chapter 496: Chapter 496 Help me with Something_1

Zhang Guangming was in the cafe on the second floor, idly sipping his coffee when Kaja, with two security personnel in tow, found him. She informed him that Mr. Mikhail had returned and wanted to see him.

After leading Zhang Guangming to the top floor, the security personnel first conducted a body search on him.

It was essential to take necessary security measures as he was about to have a private meeting with the boss.

Although it was unlikely, they had to ensure that Zhang Guangming did not carry any weapons that could endanger the boss!

Only after the search was complete and no weapons were found, Kaja led Zhang Guangming to the restaurant.

......

At that moment, Wang Ye was relaxing in the restaurant, enjoying his dinner.

The restaurant on the top floor was not open to the general public. Only a few top-level executives of the Group and super VIP guests would dine here, hence it was less crowded.

Kaja led Zhang Guangming to Wang Ye and softly said: "Boss, Zhang Guangming is here."

Zhang Guangming looked at Wang Ye, who was engrossed in his food, quickly bowed and respectfully said, "Mr. Mikhail, I have come to repay you. Here is one hundred thousand US dollars, please accept it."

Wang Ye pulled out a napkin, wiped his mouth, looked up at Zhang Guangming, and a small smile appeared on his face.

He didn’t accept the small package but indicated to Zhang Guangming, "You haven’t had dinner yet, sit down and share a meal with me."

Zhang Guangming was flabbergasted, nodded hurriedly, and stammered, "Thank you, thank you..."

He carefully sat down, and the waitstaff swiftly brought several dishes.

As he looked at the gleaming, exquisite cutlery and the mouth-watering food, Zhang Guangming swallowed his saliva. However, he didn’t want to make a pig of himself. He just followed Wang Ye’s lead and started eating at a leisurely pace.

After a while, Wang Ye put down his knife and fork, picked up the porcelain tea cup, and took a sip of the black tea.

Zhang Guangming was still hungry, but noticing Wang Ye’s movements from the corner of his eye, he put down his knife and fork, copied him, wiped his mouth and started sipping his tea.

"What business do you do?"

Wang Ye asked in Chinese.

Zhang Guangming was not caught off guard. It was common knowledge in the New Sun Supermarket that Mr. Mikhail, being of Chinese descent, spoke fluent Chinese.

Besides, during their last meeting in the conference room on the top floor, Wang Ye had spoken to him in Chinese.

"Mr. Mikhail, I sell all sorts of things, primarily luggage and small ornaments. Hehe, I procure products from the big vendors. But recently, I have started shipping directly from China and plan to focus on luggage." Zhang Guangming responded with a goofy smile.

Wang Ye nodded. The market was filled with small-scale bosses like Zhang Guangming.

They did not have their own production factories in China. They sourced products from others and sold them for a profit margin.

These were small businesses and did not make vast sums of money.

The genuinely influential big bosses had their own production, customs clearance and sales. Only that way could the business be stable and expand.

"So, do you understand stall leasing and related costs in the market?" Wang Ye asked again.

Zhang Guangming was quick to nod and said, "Of course, I sublet with others. These stalls are usually rented on a short-term basis, so I frequently have to switch. Generally, I change three to four times a year. Therefore, I keep a close eye on the leasing information of both the old and new markets."

Shared and short-term renting was a common occurrence in the market.

Traders in the market had high mobility, and very few could maintain their operations for twelve months a year.

Many sold seasonal products such as down jackets and cotton clothes, which were sold only for half a year.

But these bosses were still quite powerful. They would rent fixed stalls, sell their products for half a year, and then take time off to rest and liaise with the manufacturers for the next year’s production once the sales peak season was over.

However, stalls couldn’t rest during the half-year period when they have left.

After all, fees such as management fees still had to be paid.

Therefore, it made sense to sublet the stalls in the short term. Not only did it save management fees, but it also brought in a hefty rental income.

Zhang Guangming and other small bosses rented these stalls, selling their goods when the stalls’ owners were resting back in their country.

Once the stall owners returned, they had to vacate the stalls...

......

Wang Ye pondered for a moment and then asked Zhang Guangming, "Did you know that I personally own the stalls in areas 1, 2, and 3 of the New Sun Supermarket?"

Zhang Guangming was slightly taken aback but instinctively replied, "Yes, I know."

Pausing for a moment, he continued with a envious tone,

"Those three areas are shoe specialty areas and also the most popular sections of the New Sun Market. Only the most influential bosses can run businesses there!

Moreover, the rents and transfer fees in those areas are the most expensive.

I heard that once, a stall in Section One was up for transfer, and just the..."

He paused, substituting the local slang with the standard term,

"...the transfer fee was fifty thousand US dollars!

Still, several people were fighting over it. As soon as the news was released, someone grabbed it."

He was not bluffing. At present, the New Sun Market was indeed very popular.

And areas 1, 2, and 3 had the best location and sold shoes - a high-demand product. The bosses selling shoes were quite influential too.

Couple these factors, and areas 1, 2, and 3 became the most popular sections in the whole of New Sun Market, where stalls were difficult to obtain.

Lots of people were lining up for a stall there.

Therefore, a transfer fee of fifty thousand US dollars was not excessive...

"Would you be interested in managing those three hundred stalls for me? You can stop your shared business," Wang Ye casually mentioned.

Zhang Guangming stared at Wang Ye, dumbfounded, unable to say a word.

He could hardly believe his ears!

Was Mr. Mikhail offering him a job?

Even though he was currently his own boss, by working for someone else, he would be demoted to a workers’ status which seemed to be a step down.

But it all depended on what kind of boss one was and for whom one was working!

After all, people like Big Head Kong, who were known as Moscow’s richest Chinese, were now working for Mr. Mikhail too!

Wasn’t that more prestigious and richer than most of the big bosses in the market!

......

Seeing that Zhang Guangming didn’t reply for a long time, Wang Ye teased, "What, you’re not willing? Fine, forget it."

Zhang Guangming finally snapped out of it.

He nodded furiously and quickly said, "I’m willing! Of course, I’m willing to work for Mr. Mikhail! It’s my honour!"

He was not sure whether it was going to be an honour, but he knew that Mr. Mikhail would indeed take care of him.

Considering the three hundred stalls, he could make several million or even over ten million US dollars from mere rental income in a year. Even if he gave him a little bit, it would be more than what he earned from shared selling after exhaustive labour...