Chapter 79: First Experience as the Big Boss

After Qin Huali departed, Xiao Yao officially took over the Han Guang Tower.

Today, for the first time since assuming ownership, Xiao Yao came to inspect his property in person.

Upon learning that the new owner was visiting, the general manager of the commercial building, Chen Xingwen, led the entire management team to wait at the entrance well ahead of time.

Xiao Yao attached great importance to his first company visit, so he specially drove his Rolls-Royce Phantom over.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom was somewhat known in the capital, but in Han City, it had only recently appeared, and news of the car had yet to spread.

The management team saw a Rolls-Royce pull up to the entrance and guessed that the owner had arrived. While they recognized the emblem, the car’s distinctive appearance was unfamiliar to all—it was clearly a custom luxury vehicle. They couldn’t estimate the price, but everyone assumed it must be extraordinary.

When Xiao Yao stepped out of the car, General Manager Chen Xingwen hurried forward, “Good day, Boss. I am Chen Xingwen, the General Manager.”

Although this was their first meeting, Chen Xingwen had already reviewed Xiao Yao’s information from Chen Guangzhi and was the only person in the company with any knowledge of the new owner.

Chen Xingwen, thirty-five years old and a graduate from a prestigious university, was one of the talents Chen Guangzhi valued highly. Originally, Chen Guangzhi planned to transfer him to a new department once Han Guang Tower’s operations stabilized.

But now that Xiao Yao had taken over, Chen Guangzhi was reluctant to move such a capable manager. Not only could he not transfer him, he had to persuade him to stay, at least until Xiao Yao’s business affairs were settled. And before leaving, Chen Xingwen must obtain Xiao Yao’s approval.

To encourage him to remain, Chen Guangzhi hinted at Xiao Yao’s considerable financial strength and promised that if Chen Xingwen ever truly wished to leave Xiao Yao’s employ, he could join Guangzhi’s company at any time, with a suitable position guaranteed.

Although Chen Xingwen knew little about Xiao Yao—only that he was a hidden tycoon—he deduced from Chen Guangzhi’s careful attitude that the young new boss was far from ordinary.

At first glance, Chen Xingwen realized his prior assumptions were likely understated. The new boss, though youthful, possessed a commanding presence—a formidable aura that even a seasoned executive like Chen Guangzhi lacked. Even silent, Xiao Yao exerted a pressure that made others unconsciously disregard his age.

Meeting his employees for the first time, Xiao Yao purposefully let his imposing presence show. Before mutual understanding could develop, he wanted his staff to feel a sense of reverence.

Chen Guangzhi had carefully briefed him on Chen Xingwen’s credentials—a highly educated manager with rich experience. If Xiao Yao could persuade him to stay, the company’s management would require little further attention.

For such talent, Xiao Yao naturally adopted a respectful tone, “So you’re Manager Chen. I fear my little company is unworthy of your abilities.”

“You flatter me, Boss. It’s my honor to work under your leadership,” Chen Xingwen replied modestly.

“Managing Han Guang Tower may seem straightforward, but our Taigu Investment Company offers a vast platform. As long as you have the ability, Manager Chen, there will be room for you to shine in the future.” It was their first meeting, so Xiao Yao could only reveal so much. He believed that, given time, Chen Xingwen would choose to stay.

Taigu Investment was registered years ago by Pan Wu. While Pan Wu had emptied its funds in recent years, the company’s framework and staff remained intact. Han Guang Tower had been acquired under the Taigu Investment name.

Chen Xingwen said, “Thank you, Mr. Xiao, for your trust and appreciation. For now, my focus is wholly on working hard; other considerations can wait.”

“Let’s go to the meeting room first. I’d like to meet all the senior managers and then hear reports from each department.”

Chen Xingwen called for security to park the car and accompanied Xiao Yao to the conference room.

Once seated, Xiao Yao delivered a brief address, after which the senior managers introduced themselves.

After these introductions, departmental reports commenced.

The building’s prime location in the city center and Chen Xingwen’s outstanding management had enabled Han Guang Tower, though open less than a year, to operate exceptionally well. The overall occupancy rate had already reached sixty percent, and this year’s rental income had surpassed 250 million yuan.

For a newly built tower, such rental income was impressive, but Xiao Yao was not satisfied; it still fell far short of his expectations.

Xiao Yao asked, “Manager Chen, excluding the supermarket and commercial areas, what is the average annual rent per square meter for the office floors?”

Chen Xingwen answered without hesitation, “The first year’s discounts were substantial. After those, the average annual rent is about three thousand yuan per square meter.”

Xiao Yao continued, “What is the highest annual rent per square meter for Grade A office buildings in this city?”

“The highest rate reaches four thousand yuan per square meter per year,” Chen Xingwen replied, adding, “If our operation plan proceeds smoothly, Han Guang Tower could reach that level within three years.”

After a brief moment of thought, Xiao Yao said, “Companies with signed contracts will continue as agreed. For offices not yet leased, raise the price to four thousand five hundred yuan per square meter per year.”

Chen Xingwen’s mouth opened, ready to object, but this was the new owner’s first decision. Even if it was a mistake, he could not publicly oppose it in front of the senior management, as that would undermine the new boss’s authority.

The other managers also felt this decision was reckless and overly ambitious, but since even the general manager had not objected, they were wise enough to stay silent.

Everyone thought that even if the boss insisted, the market would soon prove him wrong—when the higher rents failed to attract tenants, the decision would naturally be revised.