Hu Tong Episode 25 Recap
> Hu Tong Recap
Lin Weimin firmly refused to help Er Qiangzi sell his factory's surplus bed sheets. When Er Qiangzi pressed him, Lin Weimin offered money to dismiss him, stating, "Isn't it just for some bonus and salary? That's all. Enough or not. Just take it first." Feeling deeply insulted and humiliated, Er Qiangzi retorted, "Are you looking down on me?" Lin Weimin countered that he was trying to help, but an angry Er Qiangzi left, clutching his two bags of bed sheets.
Meanwhile, the proliferation of hair salons across the city led to a sharp decline in business for Lin Weidong’s Xinmei Hair Salon. Additionally, the night market faced a major overhaul as the Xicheng District Government initiated new policies to "intensify reform and opening up" and "prosper Xidan," which would result in significant adjustments.
Sun Xiaomin and Lin Weidong discussed the situation, noting that many night market vendors were already seeking alternative locations, though established markets were either too expensive or saturated. Sun Xiaomin announced that she and Lin Weidong planned to exit the night market business, promising to disclose their new strategy once it was finalized, with Suo Lanqi and Juanzi agreeing to follow their lead.
That evening, a dejected Er Qiangzi returned home and confided in his mother, Xiu Lan, about Lin Weimin's contemptuous refusal and attempt to pay him off. When Gangzi and Chunhua arrived, Xiu Lan asked them to help Er Qiangzi sell his products. Chunhua, however, explained that she had already shown his factory's samples to numerous bosses, all of whom rejected them, deeming the goods "too rusty" and undesirable.
Er Qiangzi stubbornly insisted that his state-owned enterprise was an "iron rice bowl" that wouldn't close, even without bonuses, but Chunhua argued that in the current climate, anything was possible. Gangzi tried to reassure Er Qiangzi, believing a solution would eventually emerge. Sun Xiaomin and Lin Weidong then visited the mall's leasing department, where they found a long line of business owners, many carrying gifts.
After waiting all day without even reaching the door, Lin Weidong suggested they also offer gifts, observing that bribing was a common practice to secure desirable spaces in the competitive market. Sun Xiaomin, however, firmly rejected this, declaring her commitment to honesty and strength in business, not "eating, drinking and giving gifts through the back door." Lin Weidong, in turn, sarcastically praised her principles and questioned their next steps.
Undeterred, Lin Weidong secretly purchased gifts and returned alone to the leasing department. He eventually met Manager Xiao, introducing himself but admitting he lacked a business card or a formal company, operating only a night market stall and the Xinmei Hair Salon. Manager Xiao unequivocally stated that the building exclusively leased entire areas to "powerful big companies" and did not entertain "retail investors." She suggested he find a company already leasing space and rent a counter from them.
When Lin Weidong attempted to present his gift, Manager Xiao promptly refused, citing strict building regulations against accepting gifts from customers, and politely asked him to leave, leaving Lin Weidong crestfallen. Meanwhile, Gangzi and Chunhua, contemplating contracting the knitting factory, sought advice from Tian Zao, expressing their apprehension about the scale of the endeavor. They explained that their factory was floundering due to outdated management and a lack of initiative, despite Chunhua's innovative proposals.
Chunhua then detailed her "bold idea" to contract the factory, emphasizing its fundamental strengths—established sales channels and skilled workers—which were currently undermined by a "big pot rice" mentality. She proposed a new system of "more work, more pay" and piecework wages. Tian Zao, convinced of their capabilities, enthusiastically supported their plan and immediately accompanied them to seek assistance from Li Hongying.
Li Hongying, acknowledging the need for reforms in stagnant factories, commended their initiative and requested a detailed written report for submission to higher authorities. Recognizing their limited education, Gangzi and Chunhua turned to Sun Xiaomin for help in drafting the report. As they waited for Sun Xiaomin, Li Hongying and Tian Zao discussed recruiting Sun Xiaomin to the Neighborhood Committee. Tian Zao revealed her long-standing but unsuccessful efforts to persuade Sun Xiaomin.
Li Hongying admitted her prior error in trying to place Sun Xiaomin in a government office, which would have restricted her business activities, and now fully endorsed her taking on the Neighborhood Committee role. Tian Zao, however, believed mere persuasion wouldn't suffice and confided in Li Hongying about a "trick" she had devised to convince Sun Xiaomin.
Sun Xiaomin provided Gangzi and Chunhua with numerous practical suggestions for managing the factory, including integrating design talent, developing new products, expanding sales across Beijing through diverse channels, and stringent cost control. Both Gangzi and Chunhua were deeply impressed by her "genius in business" and requested that she incorporate all her insights into their report. Later, other night market vendors, concerned about their diminishing prospects, approached Lin Weidong and Sun Xiaomin.
They noted the appeal of the new mall, with its comfortable environment and high-end goods, despite the steep rents. Learning that the fourth floor of the building was seeking new tenants, the vendors urged Lin Weidong and Sun Xiaomin, whom they considered their strongest leaders, to secure a large section for them. Recognizing that the mall only leased to companies, Sun Xiaomin and Lin Weidong decided to establish their own business.
While Lin Weidong confidently asserted he could quickly obtain a business license through his connections, Sun Xiaomin emphasized that the real challenge lay in persuading the building's management, who had previously dismissed individual vendors as lacking the financial "strength" for large-scale operations. Gangzi and Chunhua's application to contract the knitting factory was swiftly approved, and they were warmly welcomed by the factory workers.
Lin Weidong, with impressive speed, acquired a business license for their new company, proudly displaying its comprehensive business scope. However, Sun Xiaomin remained unsure of their next course of action. While attending a district meeting, Sun Xiaomin was introduced by a district leader to Ms. Wang, the General Manager of the new building opposite the night market. The leader introduced Sun Xiaomin to Ms. Wang as "the president of our self-employed association, the popular person in our district."
Ms. Wang, who had long heard of Sun Xiaomin's reputation and seen her commended in meetings, unexpectedly offered her a position within the building. Sun Xiaomin politely declined, explaining that her abilities were best suited for individual work and assisting friends. Respecting her decision, Ms. Wang, pressed for time by another meeting, asked Sun Xiaomin to visit her office the following day to discuss what she wanted to talk about.
The next day, Sun Xiaomin and Lin Weidong met with Ms. Wang. Sun Xiaomin directly addressed the impending transformation of the Xidan Night Market and proposed relocating the market's successful individual businesses into Ms. Wang's building. Ms. Wang enthusiastically agreed, recognizing that this move would solve the vendors' displacement issues while simultaneously attracting customers and diverse businesses to her new mall. Lin Weidong assured Ms. Wang of their adherence to the building's rules and legal operations.
Ms. Wang then confirmed that she only signed contracts with companies and, seeing that Sun Xiaomin now had one, asked about their desired space. Sun Xiaomin boldly requested half of the fourth floor, approximately two thousand square meters. Ms. Wang expressed surprise at her "big appetite" and questioned if they could afford the substantial costs of deposit, rent, and renovation. Sun Xiaomin confidently replied, "Don't worry, no problem."
Ms. Wang, impressed, admitted she had underestimated the financial capabilities of self-employed individuals and directed them to Manager Xiao to finalize the leasing specifics. When they met with Manager Xiao, she apologized for her previous neglect and expressed regret for having underestimated their capabilities.
Later, Lin Weidong and other night market vendors expressed shock and dismay at the estimated seven to eight hundred thousand yuan required for the three-month deposit, one month's rent, and renovation of the two thousand square meters, a sum far exceeding their collective capital. Sun Xiaomin then detailed her ingenious plan: by securing such a large space, they could accommodate over a hundred night market vendors, addressing their relocation crisis. While the building charged them 2.
5 yuan per square meter, she proposed charging the individual vendors 5 yuan, a rate still competitive and profitable. This strategy, she calculated, would generate over 100,000 yuan in monthly profit. Crucially, by collecting a three-month deposit and one month's rent upfront from the individual vendors (at the 5 yuan rate), they would amass over 400,000 yuan in advance. This, combined with additional decoration fees per booth, would cover the initial "seven or eight hundred thousand yuan" investment.
The vendors were astonished by her cleverness. Sun Xiaomin then reiterated that for long-term success, everyone must profit, and thus she instituted a strict rule: each shop was for personal operation only, with no subletting permitted, under penalty of immediate expulsion. The vendors enthusiastically endorsed this policy. Sun Xiaomin then presented a layout map of the new space, which included over a hundred stalls, all of which were quickly chosen and reserved by the eager vendors.
Through the dedicated efforts of Lin Weidong, Sun Xiaomin, and their team, the night market vendors successfully moved their businesses into the new building. Lin Weidong observed how rapidly the stalls were claimed, noting that even 2,000 square meters proved insufficient given the high demand from various business connections. Ms. Wang personally inspected the newly established business area, lavishing praise on its "reasonable layout, spacious and bright venue."
She particularly commended the "professional and enthusiastic" sales associates, recognizing their extensive experience. Ms. Wang declared that Sun Xiaomin's business district served as an "exemplary role" for the entire building and instructed Manager Xiao to promptly implement Sun Xiaomin's business philosophy and model across all other business districts.
