Lights shone brightly in the conference hall, and there was a podium at the very front. Around the room were buffet-style tables for refreshments and there were waiters all around the hall for guests to request help from.
“Quite the number of people are in attendance for the conference this time. Even the owners and senior executives of private state-owned and joined venture chainstores like Kaymaroon, Carrefour, Somer Resources, TR-Mart, and Somer United Stores will be here today.”
Dawson turned to tell Jasper before they walked through the door.
“Is something big about to happen to the industry? Why else would there be such a grand conference?”
Jasper knew that for at least 15 years until online shopping completely monopolized people’s expenses, the supermarket industry had always been thriving.
Moreover, its unique business model guaranteed a large amount of cash flow to the supermarket industry. Supermarkets were the only business that had creditors but not debtors.
It was a promising industry.
However, Jasper did not want to dabble in this industry for now as every industry had its own specialized techniques and Jasper did not do things unless he was absolutely certain of its results.
All he felt now was pure curiosity.
Dawson smiled. “I heard that they’re deciding to develop a standard within the industry for everyone to abide by.”
While Jasper did not work in the supermarket Industry, he had dabbled in similar industries and immediately understood what this so-called standard referred to.
It was essentially a binding curse bigwigs wanted to give their industries so that they could benefit by gathering as many resources for themselves.
“They wish,” Jasper replied faintly, not rooting for it.
Developing standards within an industry was something that required the discussion of the entire country. Competitors should not be allowed to play judge at all.
Dawson smiled noncommittally. “My thoughts exactly.”
As they spoke, the two entered the conference hall.
Dawson’s arrival had brought over a small wave of guests.
“You’re finally here, Dawson. I heard that you’ve been doing great with your real estate business lately. I almost thought that you wouldn’t come since the supermarket industry is on a way smaller scale,” a middle-aged man who approached them laughed while speaking.
Dawson smiled and walked over. He reached out to shake the person’s hand. “I started off with the supermarket industry, so how could I let go of it just like that? There’s no way I’d miss this conference.”
“Here, let me introduce you. This is Jasper, my daughter Wendy’s boyfriend.
“This is Mr. Chris Quarles! He’s one of the big shots in our industry, Jasper. You might want to acquaint yourself.”
Under Chris’ curious gaze, Jasper reached out humbly and greeted, “Hello, Mr. Quarles.”
Chris reached out to shake Jasper’s hand. “Not bad. You have promising talent, young man.”
Jasper was a generation below his and still young, so Chris did not focus too much time on him. The fact that Chris greeted him politely already spoke volumes.
He turned to crack a joke with Dawson. “Your angelic daughter already has her marriage partner decided, Dawson? My son’s still in high school, though. I’d ask you to reconsider him if he wasn’t so young.”
Dawson replied calmly, “I’ll let the young ones decide this for themselves. Plus, Jasper fits right into my requirements.”
Seeing how Dawson favored Jasper, Chris glanced at the latter again but changed the subject.
His smile fell as he leaned toward Dawson worriedly. “I got wind of what’s happening, Dawson. It’s not in our favor at all.”
Chris had just finished speaking when a burst of powerful laughter boomed from behind.
“If it isn’t Dawson from Schuler Group! I heard you almost got scammed by a few hundred million? I told you, didn’t I? We’ve got to know how much we’re worth and don’t dabble in things we don’t understand. Look at you, why won’t you listen? What’s with all this real estate business? No one’s going to pity you when you make a loss, you know.”
