After Yang Xin's explanation, Ma Da and Yun Cheng immediately grasped the intricacies of the matter.
Their admiration for the young mistress reached new heights.
Honestly, it seemed like no challenge could ever stump her!
Ordinary people might only think of run-of-the-mill promotional tactics like discounts, freebies, or cashback rewards.
But the young mistress simply shifted her perspective—while still offering benefits, she managed to skyrocket customers' spending desire.
Most crucially, though it appeared to be a 10% discount, the strategy maintained profitability, unlike Bright Pearl City’s supermarket, which was bleeding money with its loss-leading sales.
If this continued, Bright Pearl City wouldn’t stand a chance in the long run.
However…
"Young Mistress," Ma Da suddenly raised a concern, "what if Bright Pearl City copies our dividend-sharing model? Should we prepare a contingency plan?"
"Ma Da, have you heard the saying, 'Those who learn from me survive; those who mimic me perish'?"
"My approach may be effective, but it has a fatal flaw. In some ways, it’s akin to selling privately issued lottery tickets—strictly speaking, it could even be classified as illegal gambling."
"Yang Xin, you’ll need to coordinate with Zhao Tianyi later to patch these loopholes. We can’t leave any vulnerabilities exposed. If necessary, have customers sign short-term equity dividend agreements, framing their spending as investments," Liu Yutong emphasized.
This method did have its flaws. Upon closer inspection, the process resembled a crowdfunded lottery scheme.
It was reminiscent of an incident from a past life involving a live-streaming platform, where users had to purchase memberships for a chance to win high-value cash prizes. Many streamers were later arrested or fined for gambling violations.
While their approach wasn’t purely luck-based—unlike the membership draws where losers got nothing—it still skirted legal boundaries.
Thus, these bugs had to be fixed, no matter how cumbersome the process. Even if it meant making customers sign extra paperwork, the short-term equity agreements had to be airtight, with clear legal validity, even if the terms were brief.
Yang Xin, now alert to the gravity of the situation thanks to Liu Yutong’s reminder, promptly vowed to draft the most foolproof plan to eliminate all risks.
Both he and Yao Qianshan felt they’d made the right choice in seeking the young mistress’s counsel—it was like clouds parting to reveal the sun, a moment of sudden clarity.
Moreover, they’d inadvertently dug a massive pit for Bright Pearl City.
If their rivals tried to copy the model without grasping its essence, well… they’d have no one to blame but themselves. Tough luck.
Business competition was inherently ruthless.
Wanlong Supermarket’s flagship store had to make a spectacular debut, and any competitor daring to stand in their way would be mercilessly crushed.
After leaving the company with Yang Xin, Yao Qianshan couldn’t help but marvel, "Boss, she’s just… incredible."
This was her first time witnessing Liu Yutong’s strategic brilliance firsthand—the effortless way she dismantled obstacles was awe-inspiring.
Problems that had stumped them were resolved in her hands, all while she casually planted a landmine for their rivals.
She was almost certain that once this micro-shareholder model launched, Bright Pearl City’s supermarket would scramble to replicate it.
In reality, business competition is often quite simple—it’s just a matter of copying each other, undercutting prices, and trying to outdo one another.
The "micro-shareholder" model is easy to replicate, though it does put some strain on financial management.
But then again, as the boss once said, "Those who learn from me survive; those who merely imitate me perish."
The boss had already anticipated the risks and vulnerabilities of this model. However, with a professional legal team backing them—Yao Qianshan had learned that the neighboring law firm was also under the Wanlong Syndicate’s umbrella—Wanlong Supermarket was practically immune to any real threats.
Bright City Supermarket, on the other hand, might not be so lucky.
Yang Xin nodded in agreement with Yao Qianshan’s words. "Yeah, the young mistress is the most business-savvy person I’ve ever met, bar none."
Hearing Yang Xin’s heartfelt praise, Yao Qianshan nearly blurted out, "If the boss is so talented, why not just focus on business and become a renowned entrepreneur? Why bother with the syndicate…?"
Of course, she kept that thought to herself.
By now, she had mostly figured out the social hierarchy: those affiliated with the syndicate, or who held syndicate status, usually referred to Liu Yutong as "young mistress," while addressing each other with the typical underworld lingo—"Brother X" or "Sister X."
Employees without syndicate ties, however, stuck to more conventional titles like "President Liu," "Boss," or "Ms. Liu."
As for herself, Yao Qianshan hoped to keep using her usual way of addressing people—not out of resistance, but simply because old habits die hard.
Three days later.
Li Huai, the regional manager of Bright City Supermarket, arrived to inspect the new branch in the university district.
On the surface, he was there to assess the store’s operations, but his real motive was to gloat over the struggles of the neighboring Wanlong Supermarket.
Li Huai had once been Yang Xin’s subordinate. Thanks to his talent for flattery, he not only survived layoffs at his new company but even climbed his way up to become the regional manager of Bright Pearl City.
The decision to open a Bright City Supermarket branch in the university district? That had been his doing.
His goal? Revenge against his former boss, Yang Xin.
Back at Bright City Trading, Yang Xin had never thought much of Li Huai. The man was mediocre at his job and had a knack for underhanded tactics. So when it came time to nominate a regional manager, Yang Xin had deliberately overlooked him—a slight Li Huai never forgot.
Later, when Yang Xin was abruptly laid off, Li Huai finally got his promotion.
His first act as regional manager? Tracking down Yang Xin’s whereabouts. Upon learning that his former boss was now the general manager of some no-name supermarket chain—and planning to open a flagship store in Bright Pearl City—Li Huai immediately pushed for Bright City Supermarket to set up shop right next door in the university district.
First, he trusted Yang Xin’s eye for locations—if Yang Xin chose it, it had to be a good spot.
Second, he wanted to put pressure on his old superior, to make him regret ever doubting Li Huai’s managerial potential.
