PDLP 118. New store opening
118. New store opening
At first, Zhou Hongyi's requirements and training goals were extremely difficult for the staff to adapt to. However, with their new boss's personal demonstration and the exponential increase in their salaries, these service personnel began to understand and learn with their hearts.
Zhou Hongyi instructed everyone to learn English, French, and Japanese, and to cultivate gentlemanly manners, demonstrating elegance and tact in discussing international affairs and the economy. He envisioned transforming this place into Shanghai's premier entertainment venue, shedding the clichéd, universally accepted song and dance performances and creating a unique entertainment paradise.
"You've made a lot of noise since you took office, and it's almost overwhelming. Isn't it a bit too rushed to get things done in such a short time?"
After the training session ended that evening, a newly appointed manager named Manyu sat at the bar, complaining as she ordered a drink and gulped it down.
Zhou Hongyi sat down next to her, moistened his throat with a drink, and said, "There's no other way. Land is incredibly valuable in Shanghai. Every day we close, we lose money, and everyone gets less pay. Besides, the competition is so fierce now. If we stay closed for too long, other places will take our customers. So we have to find the right balance—to pique their curiosity without diminishing their enthusiasm. The interior decoration and staff training are almost done. Next is the advertising."
As a person from the 21st century, Zhou Hongyi understands all too well the importance of publicity and promotion.
The gimmick he had previously used was the first step in his publicity campaign. Subsequently, local newspapers, magazines, and even some street advertisements in Shanghai were all replaced with the New Paramount sign.
That's right, it's the New Paramount. The New Paramount is recruiting its first batch of exclusive VIP members, and the advertising slogan promises to bring you an imperial experience.
As soon as the advertising slogan came out, it spread throughout the upper circles of Shanghai. Everyone wanted to see what tricks the new Paramount Ballroom could come up with and what kind of service would provide an imperial experience.
Just as the overwhelming advertisements had whetted everyone's appetite, the countdown that had been hanging in the downtown area finally reached zero.
[The New Paramount Ballroom will be open to guests from all over Shanghai tonight at 7 PM.]
The announcement of the name "New Paramount" essentially confirmed the rumors that the Paramount had changed hands.
The renovation of the new Paramount Ballroom, while maintaining its previous luxurious style, replaced many easily worn accessories, such as the flooring and lighting fixtures. The opulent, high-quality, and ceremonial entrance stands amidst a row of colored lights. Zhou Hongyi used these lights as LED lights. Moreover, he purchased the world's most advanced sound system and placed it around the ballroom, striving to achieve a surround-sound, three-dimensional, and stunning audio-visual effect.
As darkness fell, the warm yellow glow of the streetlights gradually illuminated the city, marking the start of the last peak season of the year in the bustling metropolis.
Yes, tonight is Christmas Eve, the most important night for Westerners. While other businesses were slow to realize that Christmas trees were appearing in the concession, the Great World decorated itself in red and green, creating a festive atmosphere. A tall, beautiful, and sparkling Christmas tree was also placed at the entrance.
The welcoming girls, with professional smiles on their faces and good figures, wore red outfits with straw trim, resembling Santa Claus costumes. They also showed off their straight legs covered in stockings, welcoming every distinguished guest with the utmost enthusiasm.
This spectacle and grandeur instantly ignited the atmosphere of Shanghai, attracting even customers who had planned to patronize other establishments.
The foreigners were naturally the most attracted. They looked at the colors and decorations of the Great World, their eyes filled with tears, and exclaimed "My God!" as if they would be doing a disservice to their faith if they didn't go in and spend money.
However, the Shanghai upper class has no shortage of people who fawn over foreigners. They think anything foreign is good and want to follow it. Seeing many foreigners entering the New Paramount, those nouveau riche who are rich but not very cultured also followed suit and decided to enter this new place to experience it.
Of course, most of the guests were invited by Zhou Hongyi in advance.
Among them were Liu Yaqiao, the notorious leader of the Axe Gang in Shanghai, Feng Jinxiong, the director of the Finance Office of the Wang government, and Gu Tianbo, a member of the local chamber of commerce, who also gathered a group of friends to show their support.
The Paramount Ballroom already boasts actresses of Maggie Cheung's caliber, and another promotional highlight tonight is that Princess Elizabeth will perform her latest single here to celebrate the new Paramount Ballroom.
One important figure after another, one explosive piece of news after another, instantly elevated the style of the new Paramount Ballroom.
However, once everyone entered the new Paramount, they noticed the difference. While the new Paramount retained its exquisite and luxurious decor, it incorporated a greater artistic flair. Furthermore, it featured a top-of-the-line sound system, more comfortable sofas, and even air conditioning to ensure a consistently pleasant indoor temperature.
All the waitresses at the New Paramount were dressed in extremely revealing, figure-hugging, and meticulously tailored Christmas costumes. They carried trays and moved among the guests, offering complimentary food, drinks, and snacks.
In addition, the stage for the performance has been expanded by Zhou Hongyi, the lighting has become richer, and the stage effect has been significantly improved.
These curious guests were immediately captivated by a passionate dance performance reminiscent of Broadway as soon as they entered. The women, all dressed in red and white striped dresses, vigorously swung their skirts and occasionally delivered high kicks, eliciting cheers and applause from the male guests. The foreigners, on the other hand, seemed to be returning home, watching with tears in their eyes and clapping continuously.
As the new boss, Zhou Hongyi stood at the entrance with Manyu and Elizabeth to welcome the distinguished guests.
"Oh my, congratulations, Hongyi! You really know how to make a big move when you do, taking over the Paramount Ballroom is such a pleasant surprise. Even though I don't frequent places like this, I had to come and support you today. These are all my colleagues from the office."
A beaming Feng Jinxiong brought his colleagues from his office to support Zhou Hongyi, and generously presented him with a piece of calligraphy he had written himself.
Zhou Hongyi naturally showered him with flattery and ordered someone to immediately hang the old leader's calligraphy, "Great Ambitions," in his office, adding that he must admire and remember it every day.
In reality, Zhou Hongyi was cursing this stingy old man in his heart. His handwriting was terrible, yet he was trying to give it away to others. He was so stingy that he wouldn't even bother wiping his own ass with it.
"Come on, Wang Shun, take good care of our old leader for me. Take him to a booth and pick out a good spot. We'll serve all the good wine later, and don't forget to give everyone a gift for our opening."
Tonight, all the police officers from the Second Precinct came here to assist their chief. The quick-witted Wang Shun stayed by Zhou Hongyi's side, helping him greet the guests.
Just after Feng Jinxiong left, Gu Tianbo and other business owners from the chamber of commerce arrived.
"Congratulations, Mr. Zhou! I never expected you to take over the Paramount Ballroom. Isn't this a direct challenge to Boss Qiao?"
Qiao Si pointed at Zhou Hongyi and said, pretending to be angry, "Young Master Zhou, aren't you trying to steal my business?"
Zhou Hongyi laughed and patted the two men on the shoulder, saying, "Don't make fun of me, bosses. This is just small-time stuff. To really make big money, I have to follow you two around. The market in Shanghai is so big, one or two companies can't make enough. Please come in, please come in. Blind man, please take care of these bosses for me."
The business owners had just left when the underworld bosses arrived. Liu Yaqiao, the leader of the Axe Gang and a shareholder, came discreetly, not even asking Zhou Hongyi to greet him, and went to sit in a private room upstairs. The other gang leaders, though not physically present, sent gifts and flower baskets as a gesture of goodwill out of respect for the Axe Gang.
Afterwards, wealthy businessmen and landlords from Shanghai, including some warlords with some influence, also arrived at the scene.
Finally, with a group of Japanese soldiers clearing the way, a car stopped at the entrance. Kondo Ryunosuke, the current head of the Special Higher Police, got out of the passenger seat, respectfully opened the back door, and helped a middle-aged Japanese soldier with a small mustache.
Zhou Hongyi recognized him at a glance as the mysterious Japanese expert, Hiramasa Kotaro, whom Kondo had brought over.