Chapter 82: One Shop, Two Teams

Sweat dripped down as I revised this chapter again and again—it took a full eight hours to write!

In the past two years, the national real estate market has rebounded, and the major domestic real estate agencies have accelerated their expansion. Zhongtong Company has intensified its internal optimization and integration, implementing the "One Store, Two Teams" management model.

The so-called "One Store, Two Teams" means that each store has two managers, each leading their own team. With the current number of branches, the company focuses on cultivating local markets and enhancing its competitive strength, striving to win the market with quality service.

This approach saves company expenses while boosting competition between the two teams. Each group pushes the other forward in business, fostering positive rivalry and mutual progress.

It also serves as a mutual supervision mechanism, preventing managers and staff from forming alliances that ignore corporate directives and harm company interests for the sake of their own small group, such as employees and the manager colluding to embezzle commissions.

According to Zhang Wei’s speculation, Xu Ming likely called him because of this very issue; Xu Ming used to be the undisputed authority in the branch, but now, with another manager, he naturally feels unsettled.

Leaving aside other matters, Zhongtong branches only have one office, yet now there are two managers. Whoever occupies that office will be seen as having higher status.

Even such a minor issue can spark conflict between the two. If their core interests are involved, not only would the two managers be at odds, but employees like Zhang Wei could not remain uninvolved.

Of course, this is also because the teams haven’t yet adapted. After some initial friction, they will gradually develop a tacit understanding, shifting most of their rivalry to business performance, which is exactly what the head office wants to see.

As for the new team, Xu Ming gave Zhang Wei a brief introduction: the manager is Su Ning, a capable and beautiful woman whose team is among the top performers in the district.

Her group consists of seven people—five women and two men—a ratio rarely seen company-wide, and these female agents are all highly skilled, earning the nickname “the Five Blossoms” in the district.

Zhang Wei had also heard that the head office was selecting a new regional manager, with Xu Ming and Su Ning as the most competitive candidates. Bringing their teams together might well be a test for both.

Xu Ming didn’t state it outright, but from their conversation Zhang Wei could sense the heavy pressure Xu Ming was under, and his tone hinted impatiently for Zhang Wei to return to the branch soon.

If not for needing to buy a car, Zhang Wei would likely have rushed back the next day. His urgency wasn’t solely to support Xu Ming, but also for his own benefit and future.

Currently, Xu Ming is the manager of the Zhongtong Company’s Yayuan branch. If Xu Ming were promoted to regional manager, the Yayuan branch would have a vacancy for manager. As Xu Ming’s direct subordinate, Zhang Wei would have a strong chance of internal promotion.

Originally, only Li Lin was qualified to compete for the position. The others had been at the branch for a short time and lacked experience. Yet Zhang Wei knew Li Lin well—her personality was ill-suited for management, and she wouldn’t even compete for the role.

Last month, Zhang Wei made a splash with three consecutive deals, generating over a million yuan in sales. This proved his business skills, and though he still lacked some experience, with Xu Ming’s guidance and colleagues’ support, he might well be qualified for the manager position.

Moreover, Zhang Wei had the ability to read minds, allowing him to grasp his superiors’ intentions and understand his subordinates’ thoughts—a key advantage for becoming a qualified manager. Most importantly, Zhang Wei was ambitious.

The manager role might not bring Zhang Wei great immediate benefits, and could even affect his personal sales, but for long-term development it would be invaluable—the first leap in his career.

Thus, Zhang Wei wanted to help Xu Ming get promoted to regional manager, and hoped to become branch manager himself. Only then could he create a bigger stage for himself.

Zhang Wei had often pondered his mind-reading ability, sometimes considering less straightforward ways to use it. These might bring short-term gains, but would surely cause trouble in the long run.

The real estate agency business may be low-level, but it offers much room for growth. Once Zhang Wei had built up connections and experience, he could even move into new residential development, becoming a real estate developer and founding his own property empire.

Among the world’s wealthiest Chinese, the top five are all real estate tycoons, with assets exceeding tens of billions, renowned wherever they go. They are Zhang Wei’s targets and role models.

That night, Zhang Wei kept pondering his life plans, so much so that he didn’t fall asleep until late. In the morning, his eyes were ringed with dark circles, though his spirits were brighter than ever.

After washing up and tidying himself, Zhang Wei prepared to go to the dealership to buy a car. Zhang Jianguo and his son Zhang Song eagerly volunteered to accompany him, but under Li Huilan’s firm opposition and Zhang Wei’s casual brush-off, the two were ultimately disappointed.

With his father and brother watching, Zhang Wei left home alone, waiting in the neighborhood for Yang Guang. They had agreed to set out at nine, but Yang Guang was ten minutes late.

“Yang Guang, we were supposed to leave at nine. You’re more than ten minutes late now,” Zhang Wei said, pointing to his watch as Yang Guang sauntered over.

“Hey, a Longines watch! Looks nice—must have cost at least ten thousand,” Yang Guang ignored the accusation, grabbing Zhang Wei’s wrist and admiring the watch, answering with a non sequitur.

“Whatever, forget I said anything.” Zhang Wei pulled his arm back, shaking his head in resignation.

“Zhang Wei, you’ve really made it in the past few months. Buying an international brand watch, now a car too,” Yang Guang said, full of envy.

“Just muddling along, earning a bit of hard money,” Zhang Wei replied.

“Well, your hard-earned money seems easy enough. Maybe I should sell real estate with you,” Yang Guang said, tempted.

“It’s not as easy as you think. Don’t jump to conclusions. Help me figure out which brand to buy for two or three hundred thousand,” Zhang Wei said as they walked.

The dealership was near the outskirts, so they’d need to take a taxi or bus. Zhang Wei wanted to simplify things by hailing a taxi, but Yang Guang was used to commuting by bus, and Zhang Wei wasn’t too picky, so he went along.

“What kind of car are you thinking of?” Yang Guang asked.

“Something like a Passat. Mid-range, practical, and respectable enough,” Zhang Wei replied casually.

“Passat? The high-end ones cost three hundred thousand. You might as well get a BMW. BMWs are classy, flashy, and bold—legendary for picking up girls. Far better than a Passat,” Yang Guang said admiringly.

“BMW? Isn’t that too expensive?” Zhang Wei hesitated.

Truth be told, BMW was Zhang Wei’s dream car, but he was reluctant to spend that much. He was pragmatic, preferring to invest in appreciating assets.

“There are affordable BMWs, the 3 Series isn’t much more than three hundred thousand. Way better than your Passat,” Yang Guang insisted.

Yang Guang’s words stirred Zhang Wei’s interest. The three most famous car brands nationwide were BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi: Mercedes for stability, Audi for understatement, BMW for boldness, each suiting older, middle-aged, and younger drivers respectively.

“By the way, I forgot to ask—what brand does your dealership sell?” Zhang Wei asked, a sudden thought.

Yang Guang scratched his head and grinned sheepishly, “BMW.”