Chapter 120: Target Store Manager

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“Brother Han, hurry up and tell us! Who exactly is going to be the regional manager?” Liu Ziqi asked anxiously from the second tier of the underground conference room.

The real estate brokerage business was one where people lived by their ability. The better your performance, the more confidence you had when you spoke. Whether it was the regional manager or a branch manager, everyone had to regard you with a little more respect. Liu Ziqi was one of the finest agents in the district, so she was not as intimidated by Han Zhong as ordinary agents were.

“Why are you more anxious than the eunuch while the emperor is still calm? Your branch manager hasn’t even said anything, so what are you making such a fuss about?” Han Zhong scolded her irritably after she interrupted him.

“We’re not listening to a storyteller. Why do you keep stopping halfway and leaving everyone hanging?” Liu Ziqi rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath.

“Ahem… Ziqi, Brother Han is speaking. What are you mumbling about down there? Sit quietly and behave yourself.” Su Ning turned around and reprimanded her.

Han Zhong had intended to build up a more solemn atmosphere, but with Liu Ziqi constantly interrupting, he could no longer prolong matters. He got straight to the point.

“The Beijing branch has already decided who will take over as regional manager. It’s Xu Ming, the branch manager of Elegant Garden Community!”

“Manager Xu is becoming the regional manager? I had a feeling it might be him.”

“That’s right. Manager Xu is one of the veterans of our company. In terms of both experience and seniority, he ranks among the very best in the entire district.”

“Still, Manager Su Ning and Manager Liu Zhengguo are both excellent too. I heard some of the higher-ups favored them as well. I didn’t expect them to lose by such a narrow margin.”

The moment Han Zhong finished speaking, the people below began to buzz with excitement. When Xu Ming had been the branch manager, he had only been in charge of the Elegant Garden office and had no superior-subordinate relationship with the agents at the other branches. Now that he had been promoted from branch manager to regional manager, however, he had become the leader of every person present. Naturally, everyone had to take the matter seriously.

“Everyone, quiet down. What kind of behavior is this?” Han Zhong’s expression hardened as he barked at them in a deep voice.

“Xu Ming, you’re the new regional manager now. Come up and say a few words.” Han Zhong pointed toward Xu Ming, who was sitting in the front row, then stepped down from the podium and clapped his hands. “Let’s give him a round of applause.”

“Come on, Brother Xu!” Zhang Wei slapped Xu Ming on the arm with his right hand, raised his thumb, and said with delight. He was genuinely happy for Xu Ming.

“Mm.” Xu Ming acknowledged him with a nod. He rose to his feet and walked toward the podium in long strides. Though his frame was slender, his back was ramrod straight.

“Ahem… Hello, everyone. I’m Xu Ming, the branch manager of Elegant Garden Community. I imagine many of the veteran agents here are already familiar with me. It’s a great honor to stand here and work alongside all of you, and to have been selected by the company’s leadership as regional manager…”

As Xu Ming delivered his promotion speech, the other branch managers wore unpleasant expressions. Xu Ming had originally been on the same level as them, but now he had suddenly become their superior, and they found it impossible to adjust to the change so quickly.

Su Ning and Liu Zhengguo also wore disappointed expressions. They had been strong contenders for the regional manager position, yet in the end they had still been defeated by Xu Ming. It was impossible for them to feel no jealousy or resentment whatsoever.

The meeting ended around noon. Apart from Xu Ming and Zhang Wei, whom Han Zhong had asked to remain behind, all the other branch managers and agents left the underground conference room. Zhang Wei was delighted that Han Zhong had kept him behind, but beneath that delight lay an additional sense of anticipation.

With Xu Ming’s position as regional manager now settled, the branch manager’s post at Elegant Garden would naturally become vacant. Whether that position would fall to Zhang Wei might well be revealed today.

Once only the three of them remained, Han Zhong first gave Xu Ming a few instructions, telling him that he would have to shoulder the responsibilities of a regional manager from then on. He also offered several words of encouragement before turning his attention to Zhang Wei.

“Zhang Wei, although you haven’t been with Zhongtong Realty for very long, you’ve developed at an impressive speed, and everyone has witnessed the results you’ve achieved. Your branch manager recommended you for the position of branch manager at Elegant Garden. Since there’s no one else here, tell us what you think.” Han Zhong looked at him as he spoke.

“Brother Han, since Brother Xu has already recommended me, I don’t think I’ll disappoint either of you. If I’m given the chance to become branch manager, I’ll certainly shoulder the responsibilities of the position and guarantee that I meet the sales targets set by the company.” Zhang Wei thrust out his chest and spoke with absolute confidence.

“You’re certainly confident. You’ve only been at the branch for a little over three months, and already you believe you can handle the position of branch manager?” Han Zhong’s expression turned serious. “Being a branch manager isn’t only about sales ability. You also need management experience and authority. Don’t assume that becoming a branch manager simply means getting a promotion and a pay raise.”

“Brother Han, I’ll remember your guidance,” Zhang Wei replied.

“Fine. Since you’re so confident that you can handle the position, I’ll risk my reputation and fight for it on your behalf. But you’ve only been with the company a short time, and you haven’t closed many deals. Whether you can actually be promoted to branch manager will still be decided by the company’s leadership.”

“I understand what you mean, Brother Han. Whether or not I become branch manager, I won’t let it affect my attitude,” Zhang Wei said.

Zhongtong Realty had many employees being groomed for branch manager positions. They were all veteran agents with extensive experience and long service at the company. In terms of both experience and the number of deals they had closed, they were far beyond Zhang Wei’s level.

Zhang Wei’s greatest advantages at present were his strong performance the previous month, along with the support of Xu Ming and Han Zhong. Without those factors, there was no way the company would consider making an exceptional promotion after only four months.

“Zhang Wei, I heard from your branch manager that you’ve closed two more rental deals this month. That proves your performance last month wasn’t a fluke. I hope you can maintain this momentum and try to close another major deal before the end of the month. That will greatly improve your chances of being promoted to branch manager,” Han Zhong advised him.

“Don’t worry, Brother Han. I’ll do my best.” Zhang Wei nodded.

After Han Zhong offered Zhang Wei a few more words of encouragement, the three of them left the underground conference room. By then, the district assistant had returned with the money, so Zhang Wei and Xu Ming collected their wages in turn before driving back to the branch in the BMW 730.

Han Zhong would not officially leave the district until the end of the month. Thus, although Xu Ming had some matters to hand over during the next few days, he could not assume his new position immediately and would have to wait until the beginning of the following month. If Zhang Wei was successfully promoted to branch manager, his formal appointment would also take effect at the beginning of next month.

As they were leaving, Xu Ming gave Zhang Wei some advice as well.

“Zhang Wei, although you haven’t been with the company long, you’ve grown extremely quickly. With Brother Han and me recommending you, you have an excellent chance of becoming branch manager. But to be safe, you should put in a little more effort during the remaining half-month and try to close one more major deal.”

Han Zhong and Xu Ming were not men who made empty promises. If they had not been highly confident, neither would have repeatedly assured him of the opportunity. Zhang Wei therefore gained even more confidence and anticipation about becoming branch manager. He silently encouraged himself:

“Before the end of the month, I must close another major deal! Next month, I must become the branch manager of Elegant Garden!”