46 Cast Aside The Bow Once The Birds Are Gone (1/2)

Our Glamourous Time Ding Mo 69410K 2022-07-22

Things were not going so well for Ning Weikai recently.

First it was that dumb soldier from Aida making a big move as expected, releasing the ”City Walker” brand that shocked the whole industry. Furthermore, Aida's promotional deals, creativity, and investment funding broke all the records in the retail industry. Their move had smacked New Bori, also known as the ”market leader”, in the face.

However, Ning Weikai was not someone who cared about publicity. Since the competition had the audacity to bring such a threat to his hold over the market, he just had to shut them out.

As usual, there were serpents and devils giving him trouble internally.

Aito had already been on the market for a month; its sales were increasing rapidly with a seemingly unstoppable momentum. Aito's commercials could be seen everywhere related to bags; in malls, supermarkets, on the Internet, even the subways and community blocks. Everyone was talking about Aito. Anyone could tell that given a few more months, Aito would become the Apple of the suitcase industry, following an unprecedented turnaround in their fortunes.

If that came to pass, could New Bori still call themselves number one in the market?

At this critical moment, the leaders of Zhu's Consortium, not knowing who was pulling the strings behind the scenes, strongly urged that a special meeting aimed at New Bori should be held to discuss what they referred to as ”an unparalleled crisis”.

But Ning Weikai was not buying it. The meeting notice had been issued for three consecutive days; he called in sick for three days.

During these three days, he locked himself in the CEO's executive suite, shunning everyone. The two Zhu brothers were uncertain of what he was planning; the meeting, which was a censure disguised as a discussion, would have to be postponed until he appeared.

What was Ning Weikai doing, locking himself in the room?

Was he depressed? Angry? Torn? Unable to find a way out?

No, he was thinking. Thinking rationally.

He wasn't considering exactly how much of a threat Aito would bring to New Bori. Nor was he prioritizing between resisting Aito's aggression and the threats from within New Bori to his control.

He was only thinking about one question: Li Zhicheng, that cunning soldier, what exactly was he planning to do?

All of Ning Weikai's closest associates, including Yuan Jun, along with the other leaders such as vice president and department managers within the company remained calm in this time of crisis.

They were well aware of their CEO's style. Even though he usually seemed frivolous and arrogant, at critical moments he was decisive and unwavering. This won everyone's respect. Their past experience had proven that when Ning Weikai made an important decision, he was almost always right. His choices had always led New Bori in a better direction.

This was his most precious leadership capability; to make strategic decisions and have the resolve to stick with his gut.

Feeling lucky to have such a leader, they waited patiently.

Finally, at dusk on the third day, the door to the executive suite opened.

Well-dressed and looking refreshed, Ning Weikai walked out, glanced at Jun Yuan at the door with a smile and said, ”Go and gather the Research and Development Department.”

As soon as Yuan Jun saw his expression, he knew that Ning Weikai had made a decision. Yuan Jun was relieved and immediately he convened the leaders of Research and Development, which was the most important department in the company.

Sitting behind his exquisite and luxurious office desk, Ning Weikai only asked them one question, ”Can we make a more perfect bag?”

The Research and Development Manager had thought about this problem long before he asked. He replied truthfully and confidently, ”With our current technology and design capability, yes!

”In terms of materials, it will be slightly difficult. The Procurement Department will need to find something similar in price and quality to what is produced by Mind, or we need to snatch the contractual rights to Mind's products from Aida.

”Regarding technology, we can definitely produce on the same level as Aida. Furthermore, during the second half of last year, we brought in a few patented outdoor technologies from Europe. We can use them to create a new bag. This is something unique in the country and Aida can't compete.

”In design, we have no doubts. Aida's design was pretty good, but the five most famous designers in the country have all signed exclusive cooperation agreements with New Bori.

”The cost for technology and design would be higher, but it will not be taken into account for the production cost of a single bag. So, we could definitely produce a similar bag which is cheaper and better performing than Aida.”

This kind of conversation was common among Ning Weikai and the leaders in the company. Each time, after Ning Weikai finished listening to their analysis, he would be satisfied and order them to take immediate action while giving them his full support.

This time, after Ning Weikai listened to them, he didn't say a word. After remaining silent for a moment, he seemed to be thinking out loud, ”We need to use costly patented technologies, hire expensive designers, and the material is not necessarily as good…” he raised his head to look at his subordinates, ”So based on what you said, if we want to surpass Li Zhicheng, New Bori must use all we have in order to win by a narrow margin?”

His words were cold and acute, the Research and Development Department team hesitated for a while, then they nodded, replying, ”Yes. But we have a high chance of winning.”

At the same time Ning Weikai stood up, took a few steps, leaning his body against the desk; his fingers lightly tapping on the flat, firm surface. Suddenly he raised his head and asked, ”How long do you need to develop this bag?”

The subordinates pondered for a while, then took the plunge and answered, ”Two months! We will go all in!”

Ning Weikai nodded. ”Okay. I understand. You can go back to work now.”

Seeing him not making an immediate decision like he usually did, the manager of the Technology department asked, ”Mr. Ning, so do we get ready to make this kind of bag?”

Ning Weikai raised his head and looked at him. He smiled.

”Nope. We are not doing it,” he said, ”They dug a hole. So why do we have to jump in?”

Early the next morning, of course Ning Weikai would not be as stupid as to go to the headquarters of Zhu's Consortium to be a target of ridicule. He arranged a car to go straight to the Zhu's family house to meet his father-in-law.

Luck was not with him, or it might have been that there were too many spies in the Zhu family; when he set foot in the family house, which was as big as a manor, he saw Zhu's second son sitting under the tree, accompanying his father for breakfast in the garden.

Ning Weikai strode towards them.

Elder Zhu always treated him like a son. He smiled and beckoned to him, ”Weikai, you're here! Have you eaten? Join us.” Zhu's second son smiled too, ”Oh Weikai, you came as well. Such a coincidence.”

Ning Weikai pulled out a chair and sat beside Elder Zhu. He went straight to the point, ”Dad, I have something that I would like to discuss with you.”

”Speak.” Elder Zhu was amiable. On the side, Zhu's second son was staring at Ning Weikai with a mysterious smile on his face.

Ning Weikai briefly summarized what Aida had done that had shocked the market. After Elder Zhu finished listening, he nodded, ”This time Aito's creativity was indeed good. I never thought that after his eldest son passed away, Xu Yong still had such a capable younger son. It's envious.”

Zhu's second son's expression changed slightly. Ning Weikai smiled, not commenting.

”What do you plan to do?” Elder Zhu asked, ”Do you need financial support from the Consortium? You can request for anything.”

Ning Weikai lifted the tea cup served by the maid and took a sip, replying, ”Dad, this time, I plan to do nothing.”

As soon as he said that, Zhu's second son was stunned. Even Elder Zhu was a little surprised; he pondered for a while, then said, ”Elaborate.”