novelraw Chapter 326 - 175: Going Along with the Flow, Staying Low-Key to Shine When Needed
Chapter 326 - 175: Going Along with the Flow, Staying Low-Key to Shine When Needed
Fatty Zhang is really something. He obviously came to bully Li Jingsheng, yet he turns around and bites back.
"Exactly, exactly. Our Furuiduo Pharmacy only sold less than five hundred bucks worth of medicine today. Not even enough for rent."
The female boss chimed in to help.
"Boss Liu also sold five hundred yuan of medicine, and I’m not afraid of being laughed at. We at Huimin Pharmacy almost got nothing!"
Another boss joined in the lament.
Li Jingsheng watched these people play the poverty card, his mouth twitching involuntarily.
"I’m just puzzled. Everyone’s doing their own business, how does Sunshine Clinic selling medicine affect you all?"
"There’s only so many customers on this street, mostly locals and tenants. Your clinic has good business, sells lots of medicine, and the customers who would’ve come to our pharmacies are buying from you. Naturally, our business suffers. It’s such a simple truth, Boss Li, why play dumb?"
Fatty Zhang glared and spoke gruffly.
"Hmph, then let me ask, when my Sunshine Clinic was practically drinking northwest wind every day, none of you seemed to feel bad, huh? Back then, why were you all so comfortable?"
Li Jingsheng angrily clashed against their warped logic.
Someone is definitely instigating trouble.
What about it?
The market is inherently competitive, and only the fittest survive.
"We’re not asking much. We just want you not to sell medicine for replenishing blood, energy, or brain power," the female boss surnamed Liu said.
"Boss Liu, is it?"
Li Jingsheng focused on her relatively delicate face.
"Yes! My name is Liu, Liu Qingqing."
She introduced herself with a hint of pride.
"Do you have brain supplements at your place?"
Li Jingsheng asked her.
"Yes!"
She hesitated before answering, unsure why Li Jingsheng was asking this.
"If what you’re selling are genuine, I’d suggest you take some yourself. If the brand isn’t that great, Sunshine Clinic has big-brand brain supplements, they’re quite effective, feel free to choose from us."
Li Jingsheng said earnestly.
Insulting without using offensive words, this is the highest level of arguing.
This woman is quite lively, not serving an example might make these people think Li Jingsheng is easy to talk to.
The others were momentarily stunned, then Xiaogao unkindly let out a laugh.
Quickly, the others followed suit, laughing.
"You..."
She was so angry her face turned green.
"Asking me not to sell medicines for replenishing energy, blood, brain power, then what should I sell? Such ignorant and rude demands, it’s amazing you can propose them so calmly. You better take some medicine to rejuvenate that brain of yours."
Li Jingsheng’s aura surged immediately.
"We came to you with the attitude of peace bringing wealth, why are you insulting us?"
"Don’t refuse the toast only to drink a forfeit."
"Give face yet refuse to accept it, then don’t blame us for being harsh."
"Young people shouldn’t be so reckless, or you’ll regret it."
Several pharmacy owners angrily rebuked Li Jingsheng.
"Who’s going to make me drink a forfeit? Boss Cheng from Huimin Pharmacy, is it you? Come on, I love drinking forfeit, pour me a drink and let’s see."
Li Jingsheng wore a defiant expression, completely unfazed.
In this situation, one must be tough, showing no weakness.
Otherwise, he’d face attacks from all sides.
Fatty Zhang was the leader of these few, he hadn’t spoken all the while, observing Li Jingsheng from the shadows.
Now, seeing Li Jingsheng’s display of strength and recalling that complaining to Station Chief Qiao was useless, he had begun considering retreat.
Business is inherently deceitful.
If they can pressure Li Jingsheng into concessions, all the pharmacies will benefit.
If nothing can be gained, they’ll have to find another way.
There’s no intention to fight to the end.
They feel entitled due to their long-standing presence and previously good business, and now that it’s suffering, they believe it’s because this newcomer, Li Jingsheng, stole it. Naturally upset and angry.
This is the truest human nature.
"Since you’re so unappreciative, I’m left with no alternatives. It’s not only me who wants you to drink a forfeit, each of us offers a toast, let’s see if you can handle it."
Boss Cheng, in his late thirties, was also quite fiery.
Now being maneuvered publicly by Li Jingsheng, he had to brace himself, becoming cannon fodder for the others.
"Besides Boss Cheng, who else?"
Li Jingsheng’s gaze swept across the remaining six, including Boss Liu whom he had insulted, none seemed inclined to respond.
This woman’s behavior was odd.
She had been quite lively earlier.
After getting scolded, she seemed to have quieted down?
From her hostile gaze, it could be felt she hadn’t become docile, but when it came to confronting Li Jingsheng, she held back.
None of the six stepped up.
With their momentum subdued, Li Jingsheng maintained his strong presence, pointing to the medicines on the counter.
"Why can my small clinic sign with Best Medicine Company? Many large hospitals can’t even manage that. You’re not kids, surely you understand the ins and outs more than I do. I may be a newcomer, but if you think you can control me by numbers or seniority, let’s see. In the end, let’s see who can survive."
Li Jingsheng spoke confidently.
He’s genuinely not worried about being defeated.
Because he has retreats.
And the chances of losing are slim.
Just having been featured in newspapers and on TV are strong shields.
Not to mention his identity as a doctor at the Second Hospital, with good relations with multiple chief physicians, should they lend a hand even slightly, it would trouble these pharmacy owners quite a bit.
As for Xie Guiqiu behind Li Jingsheng, that’s an even bigger ace.
Having saved Xie Guiqiu’s mother, if Li Jingsheng is bullied, Xie Guiqiu wouldn’t remain inactive.
Such a big shot stays still, but once enraged, the force is overwhelming.
"I advise you all, let’s each do our own business, and not encroach on each other. Whoever can win over customers depends on their own skills. Market competition naturally results in survival of the fittest. If your competitiveness is lacking, even if I don’t sell these medicines, stronger pharmacies will."
Li Jingsheng said this with righteous assurance.
Fatty Zhang saw the seven of them causing a scene had turned into this situation, knowing it’s not worth pursuing, he began considering retreat.
"Boss Li, we’re all running businesses on the same street, we don’t intend to force you. We just came to discuss matters, if you’re unwilling, then so be it. We can still discuss things peacefully for any issues! No need to push it to life or death. I have matters in my shop, I’ll take my leave first."
Fatty Zhang is quite cunning.
Seeing that further conflict would lead to a deadlock with Li Jingsheng, he felt a sense of fear.
He was the first to make an escape.