I am not just a tycoon

The management team was well prepared for the meeting. In addition to reporting on the progress of the store improvement measures, they also expressed their own opinions and made some targeted suggestions.

For instance, they talked about making cuts in the budget, with a focus on controlling variable costs that could be managed, to ensure that every penny was spent where it was needed most.

Another suggestion was to optimize staff structure by cutting redundant personnel and valuing employees who create worth.

Regarding the former, as long as it didn't affect employee income, Shen Yuan had no objections.

As for the latter, Shen Yuan didn't want to initiate layoffs during such a critical period, as it wouldn't bode well for team morale, so he vetoed the idea.

After the meeting, Shen Yuan was the first to leave the conference room, and Yu Jifeng caught up to him, saying, "Mr. Shen, Principal Xu contacted me today, asking me to provide a detailed quote and to discuss some specifics."

"Mm, I know."

Shen Yuan wasn't surprised by this result; considering how Yang Hongjin had put it that day, he figured Xu Shoutai wouldn't dare bluff to the person in charge.

"As for the quote, should we go by the market price, or should we offer a concessional rate?" Yu Jifeng asked.

He wasn't aware of why Xu Shoutai's attitude had suddenly become positive, but he knew that Mr. Shen must've played a significant role in this.

Therefore, concerning the pricing, Yu Jifeng wanted to consult Shen Yuan's opinion as well.

"Just follow the market price."

Shen Yuan glanced at him: "Do you have an idea about the quotes from the other two companies?"

"I couldn't find out about one, but the one from Zhu City, their quote was higher than the market price," replied Yu Jifeng.

"Then we will follow that standard."

Shen Yuan stroked his chin: "The extra part of that company's quote is probably for Old Xu's consumption."

Yu Jifeng suddenly lowered his voice: "Should we also prepare something for Principal Xu...?"

He was asking whether they should also set something aside for Old Xu, but Shen Yuan shook his head and said, "We hold the initiative now; how and how much we give, all these are for us to decide. We'll talk about that when there are new developments in the project."

"Understood, Mr. Shen."

Yu Jifeng thoughtfully looked at Shen Yuan; initially, he had thought Shen Yuan was just wealthy, but it turned out his connections were also solid.

After returning to his office, Shen Yuan called Fu Yingzi over.

"Boss, you wanted to see me."

Fu Yingzi walked into the office, lively and energetic.

Shen Yuan looked up and saw that her dress was much more formal than at school.

A light blue shirt accentuated her slender waist, and she paired it with loose black trousers. Her height of 172 cm did not make the outfit seem baggy; instead, she had the air of a professional woman in the workplace.

If there was anything to nitpick, it would be that her bun was on the smaller side.

"Not bad, your dressing is improving," Shen Yuan commented with a smile.

Fu Yingzi's cheeks turned red: "What's up, boss? I get the feeling you're up to no good whenever you compliment me."

"Crap, am I that kind of person?"

Shen Yuan swore and then said, "Your classmates are all on summer break; haven't you thought about asking for a few days off to go back?"

"How dare I, boss. The improvement measures have just started, and I'm your important insider in the company. I definitely have to keep a close watch for you," Fu Yingzi's eyes gleamed. "Boss, you're not testing me with your words, are you? I'm loyal to you, you know."

"Why do you always add so much drama to yourself?"

Shen Yuan couldn't help but laugh: "I'm just concerned about you."

Fu Yingzi pursed her lips: "Boss, you might as well just assign me work."

"How is the job rotation going? How many departments are left?" Shen Yuan asked.

"Currently in the Admin Department, and there's only the Finance Department left after this. It will take about a week and a half to finish the rotation," Fu Yingzi answered.

Shen Yuan nodded: "Good, in addition to these head office departments, I'm planning to have you rotate through a few stores as well."

"Okay."

Fu Yingzi was also worried about becoming out of touch if she stayed in the company headquarters for too long. It was better to hone her basic skills in the grassroots departments.

"Additionally, you also need to get used to my work here, to prepare for the future."

Fu Yingzi was taken aback: "Ah? What work here?"

"Secretary."

"Secretary..."

Fu Yingzi was stunned, her thoughts immediately jumping to the company rumors that she was also the boss's woman.

Shen Yuan smiled: "What, you don't want to be my secretary?"

"No, no," Fu Yingzi quickly shook her head. "I just didn't expect it; I thought you would arrange for me a different position."

"A secretary is the closest employee to the boss. If you do well, there will be many opportunities in the future. Jingfu is just a beginning."

"Mmhmm, got it."

After leaving Shen Yuan's office, Fu Yingzi let her imagination run wild with a fantastic drama.

The boss asking her to be his secretary, could it be...

Busy with work, the secretary does it all, but when there's nothing to do, the office curtains drawn... the boss does the secretary?

But with so many women around the boss, would he take an interest in her small buns?

Forget comparing with Fang Minhui, even compared to Junior Long, she fell short.

Still, if the boss really wanted her... should she give in or not?

Fu Yingzi had quite the imagination; nothing had happened yet, but here she was, torn over whether to 'give in' or not.

...

Meanwhile, Shen Yuan was thinking that now that he had a life assistant and an administrative secretary, his team was slowly taking shape.

Future looked promising!

Close to noon, Liew Menglu returned to Shen Yuan's office, her mood ebullient as she said, "Honey, I visited two properties this morning. Both are actually not bad, I'm thinking of checking out another one this afternoon."

"Good, make a comparison yourself."

Shen Yuan added, "I won't have much time lately, just send me their corporate accounts when you've decided, and I'll transfer the money."

"Mm, all right."

Liew Menglu leaned in and pecked him, "Thank you, honey!"

"Okay, okay, this is the office, mind the influence."

Shen Yuan waved her off and then called Lih Xiao to confirm whether Yang Hongjin was at school and if he had the habit of smoking. After that, he turned to Liew Menglu and said:

"Help me prepare 2 cartons of Hetianxia and two bottles of Feitian. I've got a visit to pay this afternoon."

"Got it."

Liew Menglu complied, then asked with some perplexity, "Honey, is there still a person worthy of your personal visit?"

In Liew Menglu's mind, Shen Yuan had enough wealth and didn't need to go out of his way to please others anymore—instead, others should be courting him.

"Relationships are productivity. This person helped me, and while it wasn't necessary to make a special trip, he has other resources that can be tapped into. He helped, I give gifts, and through such exchanges, our relationship solidifies, making it easier to gain resources from him in the future."

Shen Yuan said deliberately, "You can't always just visit when you need someone's help."

Liew Menglu nodded thoughtfully, then couldn't help but ask, "But what benefits does this person get?"

Shen Yuan explained, "He's the principal of our school. If I become well-known, he can use me as a promotional figurehead for the International campus. Plus, with a role model to showcase, he might ask for extra projects and funds from above."

"Oh, I see."

Liew Menglu nodded as if she'd just had an epiphany.

"I know what you're thinking."

Shen Yuan said with a smile, "Money is money, resources are resources, but money doesn't directly translate to resources or social status. However, money can be used to convert into resources and social status."

"This sounds so complicated."

Liew Menglu, already half-clueless from the conversation, felt like her brain had crashed. Was it really so complicated to run a business?

She resigned herself to the idea that she might not be cut out to be a boss's wife, thinking it's better for her to stick to consulting.

...

At 2:30 p.m., Shen Yuan made a rare appearance at the International campus.

Unfortunately, the International campus was now on summer vacation, and all the younger sisters in short skirts and shorts, showing off their white thighs, had gone home.

What a pity that the junior sisters missed me, their early return home must be a big loss.

Feeling narcissistic, Shen Yuan parked the Benz G-Class below the office building and walked to Principal Yang Hongjin's office, holding two bottles of Maotai and 2 cartons of Hetianxia wrapped in a black bag.

"Principal Yang."

The door to Yang Hongjin's office was open. Shen Yuan knocked twice, "thud thud," waited for a nod, and then walked in.

Yang Hongjin's office was spacious; after all, he was the head of an entire International campus, managing thousands of teachers and students.

If the International campus were a public institution, Yang Hongjin's administrative level would be at least that of a department head.

But since the International campus was a private school, the principals of private universities didn't have official government positions.

Even so, one couldn't overlook the energy of a university principal, especially since the social resources he had access to were far richer than what Shen Yuan currently controlled.

"Shen Yuan?"

Yang Hongjin was aware of who Shen Yuan was—the outstanding student and one of the best college students always had their photos on display, and just yesterday Shen Yuan was mentioned in a meeting.

"Come, take a seat." Enjoy more content from My Virtual Library Empire

Yang Hongjin had a good impression of Shen Yuan, gestured for him to come to the couch, and said, "We were just talking about you at yesterday's meeting, not only did you invest in the school's entrepreneurial base, but you've also started your own company."

"It's just a small venture of mine."

Shen Yuan replied with a modest smile.

"Haha, being too modest is just arrogance."

Yang Hongjin joked, "If yours is a small venture, what about the over 20,000 students at International? Are they just playing house?"

"I feel there's much room for improvement, which is why I came to seek wisdom from Principal Yang."

"....."

Yang Hongjin, modest and with a touch of humor, chatted with Shen Yuan for a while, and the atmosphere warmed up comfortably.

Shen Yuan also timely handed over the bag, "Principal Yang, I've been quite busy lately and haven't had time to see you. This is a small token from a student."

Yang Hongjin waved it off, "If you see me as your teacher, what kind of teacher would accept gifts from students?"

Shen Yuan feigned shyness and chuckled, "In that case, you should accept it even more since it's only right for a student to honor their teacher."

After some back and forth, Yang Hongjin adamantly refused to accept the gift, and although Shen Yuan wasn't foolish enough to take it back, he left the bag on the floor.

Yang Hongjin brewed tea for Shen Yuan and then said, "Although International is a private university, we've nurtured quite a few elites. We hope to give you a push if there's an opportunity. The faster you grow, the better it is for International."

"Then I'll do my utmost to make the school proud."

Shen Yuan asked with a smile, "I wonder where my seniors are now, what high positions they've taken up. I'd love to exchange ideas with them sometime."

"You, being able to succeed has reasons."

Yang Hongjin caught the subtext and chuckled, "Next week, we actually have an International Alumni Elite Exchange gathering, which I am leading. It will include International graduates who have done well in government and business."

"Originally, you wouldn't be eligible since you haven't graduated yet, but given your achievements, you're on par with some of them, so we'll make an exception for you this time."