Chapter 133: I Am the System of the Association...

Chen Jianhai half-jokingly and half-seriously spoke up.

"If everything had to be meticulously planned before taking action, nothing would ever get done."

A glint of appreciation flashed in Wanrong's eyes as he smiled and said, "You have a pretty open-minded attitude."

"Mr. Chen, since you just joined the association today, there might be some things you're not aware of yet."

"Anyone who successfully builds a resort hotel on the island will own all the profits from the seafood sold in that marine area. The association won't take a single cent."

"But there's a condition: the hotel must be completed and operational within two years."

"Can you manage that?"

Chen Jianhai thought for a moment and sincerely answered, "I think I can? I should be able to."

As soon as he said this, everyone in the room looked at him as if he were a fool.

Others wouldn't dare touch this bottomless pit, yet here was an idiot jumping in willingly.

"Do you need any help from the association?" Wanrong asked.

"Can you give me money?" Chen Jianhai asked, knowing it was unlikely, but still hopeful.

"No," Wanrong firmly replied.

"Then may I ask something?" Chen Jianhai asked after thinking for a bit.

"Go ahead," Wanrong said, curious about what Chen Jianhai wanted to ask.

Chen Jianhai seriously asked, "How do you usually come to the association? By bus?"

The smile on Wanrong's face gradually stiffened and disappeared...

...

After the meeting, a group of people left the conference room.

Chen Jianhai remained polite, waiting for most of the old smokers to leave before getting up to leave himself.

Just as he walked out the door, he saw a middle-aged man standing in the hallway, seemingly waiting for someone.

Upon seeing Chen Jianhai, the man immediately walked over and extended his hand warmly:

"Hello, Mr. Chen, I am the secretary-general of the association, Su Jie."

"Hello, hello," Chen Jianhai responded politely.

Su Jie asked courteously, "Mr. Chen, I have some general information and details about Xiaomajia Island that you might find useful."

"If it's convenient for you now, could you come to my office to get them?"

"That would be great," Chen Jianhai said with a pleased expression.

He had only stayed on the island for three days last time and only had a rough idea of the situation there. Having detailed information would be very helpful.

"But Secretary Su, my nameplate and certificate are still on the 4th floor. Is it possible...?"

Before Chen Jianhai could finish, Su Jie promptly replied:

"No problem, I'll have them sent to my office. Please, this way, Mr. Chen."

...

Su Jie's office was on the 6th floor of the association building.

It was a nice, sunny office with a few pots of flowers and a clean, tidy desk.

Entering the office,

Su Jie turned on his computer, quickly typed a few words on the keyboard, and started searching seriously.

"Does President Wan work here usually?" Chen Jianhai asked curiously, looking around from the sofa.

"The president usually stays at his own hotel. The administrative work of the association is mainly handled by me."

"When there's something that needs approval, I go to the hotel to find the president."

At this point, Su Jie tilted his head, poked half his head out from behind the computer screen, and suddenly said:

"There are 63 spaces in front of Wanrong Hotel."

"Pfft!" Chen Jianhai couldn't hold back and laughed out loud.

Su Jie also laughed heartily.

When Chen Jianhai asked that question in the meeting room earlier, the faces of Wanrong and some of the other bosses had turned blue.

Parking here is notoriously difficult, but there are many bus routes.

If these old smokers aren't in a hurry, they usually do take the bus.

Seeing that Su Jie was easy to talk to, Chen Jianhai asked directly:

"This association building looks quite old. Why not renovate it?"

"There's no money..." Su Jie replied helplessly.

"Our Coconut Umbrella Hotel Industry Association is similar to a public institution, and every step of funding relies on allocations from local and higher associations. Every penny is accounted for."

"And our association is service-oriented, not profit-oriented, so we don't have external funding sources."

"Unless the association qualifies to become a mid-level association, there will be no funds allocated for a new building."

The printer whirred, and sheet after sheet came out. After all the pages were printed, Su Jie took the stack of materials and sat on the sofa beside Chen Jianhai, handing them to him.

"The shape of Xiaomajia Island is like a vest."

"The areas on the left and right, where the vest's arms would go, are where the island residents live."

"The area around the vest's collar is where the association permits hotel construction."

Su Jie pointed to the map with his pen.

"A previous association member tried building a hotel there but unfortunately failed."

"There are still the ruins of the abandoned hotel foundation in that location."

"If you want to build a hotel on the island, the association won't give you new land. You'll have to build on that site."

"This means higher costs and difficulty."

"I'm not trying to dissuade you, just letting you know that if you need any help, you can ask the association."

Su Jie spoke sincerely.

"In terms of funding, the association can't provide much support since existing funds are needed for regular operations, industry training, and inviting experts for seminars."

"But if you encounter manpower issues or don't know how to solve a problem, you can contact the association."

"Although the association might seem modest, it does have some strength."

"If you have difficulties, the association will fully support you."

"Thank you, Secretary Su!" Chen Jianhai expressed his gratitude.

Su Jie seemed like a good person, sharing useful information and speaking sincerely during their first meeting.

"It's just some information, nothing much."

After hesitating for a moment, Su Jie said:

"Mr. Chen, there's one more thing."

"Due to your hotel's outstanding performance in the last evaluation, the evaluation team has recommended it for the Golden Coconut Umbrella level."

"The association has already submitted the rating application."

"Soon, at least three senior evaluation teams will conduct a cross-evaluation at your hotel."

In Chen Jianhai's stunned gaze, Su Jie continued:

"The association hasn't nominated a hotel for the Golden Coconut Umbrella level in almost ten years."

"If the evaluation is successful, Langai Hotel will become a platinum five-star hotel, and the association will be upgraded to a mid-level association."

"So Mr. Chen, please work hard!"

Su Jie's eyes shone with sincerity as he looked at Chen Jianhai.

His gaze was full of earnest expectations and reminders.

It seemed to say: Mr. Chen, the association's dreams rest on your shoulders.

Please work hard!

The association being upgraded to a mid-level association...?

Why does this sound so familiar?

Chen Jianhai was stunned for a moment, then connected it to Su Jie's earlier comment about needing to become a mid-level association to receive funding for a new building.

From the moment he entered, everything he saw seemed oddly interconnected.

No wonder I felt the association lacked a system.

Turns out I'm the association's system!

...