Chapter 497: The Crisis of the Feng Family Company

Chapter 497: The Crisis of the Feng Family Company

Evening.

The old Feng family residence was brightly lit.

Today was the 75th birthday of the matriarch, Grandma Wang. Her three children had all returned with their families to wish her a happy birthday.

For an elderly person, the most cherished moment was to have their children and grandchildren gathered around them, enjoying the family bliss. Grandma Wang was always her golden teeth showing in a broad smile as she saw her children and grandchildren put aside their work to celebrate her birthday.

Grandma Wang’s life had indeed been tough in the early years, but she had finally reaped the fruits of her labor after her sons grew up.

Her three children were all very accomplished. The most outstanding was her eldest son, Feng Guozhang, who was currently the Chief of the Guangzhou Public Security Bureau, a deputy department-level official. In the entire city of Guangzhou, he was a significant figure and the greatest pride of Grandma Wang’s life.

Her second daughter, Feng guoying, had also risen to a deputy section level official with the help of her eldest brother and her husband’s family. This was also a remarkable achievement.

The youngest son, Feng Guoqiang, did not enter the government but chose to do business. After more than ten years of hard work, he became a successful businessman with tens of millions in assets, which was also very impressive.

Not only were her children accomplished, but her grandchildren were also very outstanding. Her eldest grandson, just over thirty years old, had already reached the same level as his aunt, becoming a deputy section level official. He seemed to be following in his father’s footsteps. Her second grandson, only twenty-six years old, had also become a full section level official under the guidance of his eldest uncle, with a promising future.

Her two granddaughters were also very talented. One had been admitted to Sun Yat-sen University, and the other to Xi’an Jiaotong University, both prestigious institutions, which brought great pride.

In short, the second half of Grandma Wang’s life was enviable by relatives and friends.

“Grandma, have some cake.”

Feng Yingying held a small piece of cake, smiling at her grandmother.

Grandma Wang took the cake, smiling, she asked, “Yingying, your mother said you are now working at the family company?”

Feng Yingying smiled," smile, “Yes, Grandma, I’m now just a small employee at the company.”

Grandma Wang said, “Although Grandma doesn’t understand much, I do know that no one starts as a general. Starting as a small employee and gaining experience before getting promoted is the way to success. If you do well, you will eventually become a general.”

Feng Ying within nodded, “Grandma is right. I will eventually become a general.”

Grandma Wang took a delicious bite of the cake, saying, “Grandma believes you will succeed. You are someone who can get into a prestigious university, how could you be anything but excellent!”

Feng Xuelin also held a small piece of cake, joining the conversation, “Grandma, what are you two talking about?”

Grandma Wang smiled, “We were talking about Yingying’s work, Xuelin. How is your internship at the hospital going?”

Feng Xuelin replied, “It’s okay so far. Currently, I’m just helping out with miscellaneous tasks, and there aren’t many opportunities to get hands-on experience.”

Grandma Wang said, “That’s normal. Your profession is different from others. For example, in manufacturing, if you make a mistake, it’s just a product issue, which might cost some money. But if a doctor makes a mistake, the consequences can be severe. It’s understandable that they are cautious about letting you handle serious cases.”

Feng Xuelin responded, “Grandma, you’re right, but it’s not as serious as that. As intern doctors, we start start start with simple tasks and gradually move on to more complex ones. As long as the doctors supervising us give us opportunities, any mistakes we make will be covered, and there won’t be any major issues. This profession is about practice making perfect, and with more hands-on experience, we naturally learn.”

Grandma Wang understood somewhat, shaking her head, “Grandma doesn’t understand much, but I know that the more you study, the better it is. Though you’re not young anymore, you shouldn’t just focus on studying; you should also pay attention to finding a partner. When I was your age, I was already a mother of three children.”

Feng Xuelin didn’t expect Grandma to bring up her marriage, feeling a bit awkward, “Grandma, I’m still studying, no rush. Instead, you should start with Yingying, who has already graduated!”

Feng Yingying: “…”

Grandma Wang nodded, looking at her granddaughter, “Yingying, what your sister said is right. You’re not young anymore. Since you have already graduated, you should quickly find a partner. Grandma is getting old, and I don’t know when I might suddenly pass away. I hope to see both of you girls married to good people before I go, then I will have no regrets.”

Feng Xuelin quickly said, "Grandma, you'll live to be a hundred years old."

Feng Yingying also chimed in, "That's right, Grandma. Don't say such unlucky things. You'll not only see us get married, but you'll also see our children go to university!"

Old Lady Wang laughed heartily, "Alright, Grandma will live to be a hundred years old and see your children go to university."

Hearing the laughter, the other women in the family also gathered around.

It must be said that marriage, no matter which family it concerns, is always a matter of great importance.

Now, in the third generation of the Feng family, only Feng Xuelin and Feng Yingying, the two sisters, were not yet married. While Feng Xuelin, the older sister, was still in school, the elders had set their sights on Feng Yingying.

Aunt Feng was the most proactive, smiling as she said, "Yingying, there's a nice young man at my workplace. He's also a college graduate, and his family seems to have good conditions. He performs well at work. Would you like me to introduce him to you?"

At these words, Feng's mother's eyes lit up.

However, before her mother could speak, Feng Yingying politely declined, "Auntie, no need. I just graduated and want to stay at home for a couple more years to enjoy life. I don't want to get married so soon."

Aunt Feng said, "You silly girl, I didn't say you have to get married right away. You can get to know each other for a while and see if you're compatible. If not, it's fine. If you are, then we can talk about marriage later."

Feng's mother echoed, "Yingying, your aunt is right. You can get to know him for a while first."

Feng Xuelin was about to reveal that her cousin was already trying to date a classmate, but she swallowed her words when she saw the warning look in her cousin's eyes.

After dissuading her older sister, Feng Yingying reluctantly said to her mother and aunt, "Mom, Aunt, I won't think about it this year. Let's talk about it next year."

Aunt Feng said, "Alright, but that young man is very sought after. Who knows, he might be snatched up by another girl. If you change your mind, let me know anytime."

Feng Yingying glanced at her cousin, who was smirking, and replied, "I know, Auntie. I'll call you if I change my mind."

While the women were discussing marriage, the men were chatting about their careers and development.

Feng Guoqiang asked, "Brother, you've been in your current position for a few years now. With all the big cases you've solved this year, is there any chance of a promotion?"

Feng Guozhang shook his head and sighed, "My current position was secured thanks to my old leader's efforts before he retired. It's already quite good that I can hold this position. To advance further is almost impossible.

While it's true that many big cases have been solved in the city this year, everyone knows how they were solved. If I had someone to back me up, I could use this to advance. Unfortunately, I no longer have that support.

So, the most ideal situation is for me to stay in this position until I retire."

Feng Guoqiang said with some regret, "At your age, you could serve another term after this one. There is room for advancement, but it's a pity you lack the support."

Feng Guozhang smiled, "Actually, given my background and education, being in this position is already beyond what I expected. Besides, a higher rank isn't necessarily better than my current position, which still holds a lot of power."

Feng's father-in-law agreed, "Brother, you're right. The position of Chief of the Public Security Bureau isn't necessarily worse than a full department-level position."

Feng Guoqiang turned to his nephew and said, "Yuanqing, your father will retire in a few years. You need to perform well these few years so he can give you a boost before he retires. Otherwise, it will be difficult for you to advance after he retires."

Feng Yuanqing nodded, "I understand. I'm working harder than ever now."

"Promoting from deputy section level to full section level isn't impossible, but it isn't easy either. I'll guide you step by step and try to promote you before I retire."

Feng Guozhang then looked at his other nephew, "Yuanhua, the same goes for you. Advancing from a section level to a full section level is also very challenging. I'll do my best to support both of you. How far you go in the future depends on your own efforts."

Feng Yuanhua quickly said, "Thank you, Uncle. I'll work hard."

Feng Guozhang then looked at his younger brother and asked, "Aqiang, how is business at your company?"

Feng Guoqiang shook his head, "Business is tough lately. The market competition is getting more intense. Not only are Hong Kong and Taiwan businessmen entering our industry, but overseas capital is also getting involved. They have money, connections, and policy support."

Compared to these competitors, our product's only advantage is its long-standing brand. In every other aspect, we can't match them.

Our company has already felt immense pressure. Our market share is continuously being eroded by competitors, and sales have dropped significantly. If this continues, the company will likely incur losses in one or two years."

Feng Guozhang frowned and said, "In recent years, the state has offered many preferential policies to attract foreign investment. In the same industry, our domestic enterprises are indeed less competitive than foreign companies. You need to be prepared for the future. Since we can't compete head-on, we need to think of other ways.

In short, we can't just sit and wait for disaster to strike."

Feng Guoqiang replied, "I understand this. I've been trying to find solutions, but haven't come up with a satisfactory one yet."

Feng Guozhang said, "I believe in doing business within our means. If the situation looks grim, we need to prepare a backup plan to avoid losing all the profits we've worked hard for over the past decade."

Feng Guoqiang nodded, "I have this in mind. If I can't find a way to break the deadlock this year, I'll sell the company. I might as well change tracks and start a new business. It's better than being slowly devoured and eventually collapsing."

Feng Yingying walked over and heard her father's words, surprised, she asked, "Dad, what's going on? You're selling the company?"

Now that her daughter had entered the company, she would eventually learn about the company's operations. Feng Guoqiang didn't intend to keep it a secret from her and said, "Yingying, I haven't told you before, but the company's business has been getting harder to manage over the past two years. But don't worry, even if the company can't continue, I'll prepare your startup capital in advance."

Feng Yingying asked, "Dad, what exactly is going on? Tell me."

Feng Guoqiang then briefly explained the current difficulties the company was facing and concluded, "Our company didn't have a high market share in the textile raw material supply to begin with. Now, with these powerful competitors entering the market, they've taken away many of our clients, threatening our foundation.

If we don't have a good strategy, we can only watch as our market share is gradually eroded by competitors."

Hearing this, Feng Yingying finally understood her family's company's situation. She pondered and said, "Dad, have you considered opening a textile factory to produce finished goods? Since we can't compete in the raw material supply, let's change tracks and enter the next link in the supply chain by producing textiles directly."

Feng Guoqiang looked at his daughter and said, "Yingying, I've thought about your idea, but I haven't been able to make a decision. Mainly because I'm not confident. Once the company enters the next link in the supply chain, it will have a ripple effect. Without a certain level of confidence, it's really too risky to make this decision."

Feng Yuanhua interjected, "Dad's concerns are valid. If the company enters textile production, our original customers will become competitors. These customers will definitely choose other partners and no longer work with us, which would mean cutting off our current business.

If the textile sales go smoothly, everything will be fine, but if the sales don't go well, the problems will be significant."

Feng Yingying naturally understood this. She thought for a moment and asked, "Dad, if our company's products are supplied directly to Yongjia Supermarket, wouldn't that solve our worries?"

Feng Guoqiang chuckled, "If we could supply to Yongjia Supermarket, there would be no worries. However, Yongjia Supermarket already has its suppliers. For our new products to replace theirs is virtually impossible."

Feng Yingying listened and thought to herself. Getting their company to supply Yongjia Supermarket was impossible for others, but she had a chance. The younger brother of the owner of Yongjia Supermarket was currently courting her.

If she agreed to his pursuit and then "whispered in his ear," she might achieve her goal.

Of course, this was a matter of lifelong happiness, and Feng Yingying wouldn't make a decision lightly.

Everything would depend on what she decided.

...

PS: Dear relatives, the author hasn't been back to the hometown in a long time. This Mid-Autumn Festival, I'm taking two days off to spend time with my family. Thank you!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end