Chapter 173: Acquisition Expert Gavin Peter

The next morning, Xia Yu's car stopped outside the same café he had visited with He Youguang. Xia Yu got out of the car, glanced at the sign, adjusted his clothes, and smiled slightly before walking toward the entrance.

Xia Yu had arranged to meet the top talent at this café for an interview.

"Hello, sir. What would you like to drink?"

As soon as Xia Yu reached the counter, the waitress asked warmly.

"I'll decide on the drink later. For now, please prepare a private room. I'm expecting someone."

Xia Yu smiled gently.

"Certainly, sir. Please follow me!"

The waitress responded enthusiastically and led Xia Yu to a private room.

"I'd like a cup of Blue Mountain coffee. Also, if a foreign gentleman named Gavin Peter arrives, please bring him here."

After speaking, Xia Yu handed a tip to the waitress.

Seeing the ten Hong Kong dollars tip, the waitress's smile widened even further. She quickly nodded and said, "Understood, sir. Please don't worry!"

Xia Yu nodded slightly, and the waitress left the room discreetly.

Before long, the waitress returned with a cup of coffee and placed it in front of Xia Yu.

"Sir, please enjoy!"

"Thank you!" Xia Yu replied with a smile.

---

While Xia Yu was leisurely drinking his coffee and waiting, a taxi stopped outside the café, and a vigorous middle-aged white man got out.

Looking up at the sign, the middle-aged man smiled slightly and muttered to himself, "Memory, this must be the café."

He then adjusted his suit, checked it was in order, and, with a black leather briefcase in hand, strode confidently into the café.

"Hello, I'm here to meet someone!" the middle-aged man said with a smile as he entered.

"May I ask who you are?" The waitress, seeing the foreigner, guessed he was the person Xia Yu was expecting but still asked cautiously.

"I'm Gavin Peter," Gavin Peter responded.

"Please follow me. The gentleman has been waiting for you for ten minutes."

The waitress led Gavin Peter to Xia Yu's private room.

Soon, they arrived outside the room. Gavin Peter saw Yan Shining, who was standing straight at the door, and recognized him as Xia Yu's bodyguard. Gavin Peter gave Yan Shining a slight smile to show his goodwill.

"Hello, this is Mr. Gavin Peter. He's the person Mr. Xia Yu is expecting."

The waitress explained to Yan Shining.

Yan Shining nodded, gave Gavin Peter a long look, and said, "Please wait a moment."

"Thank you!" Gavin Peter replied.

*Knock, knock...*

"Boss, Mr. Gavin Peter has arrived."

Yan Shining knocked on the door and called out.

"Come in!" 

With Xia Yu's voice coming from inside, Yan Shining opened the door and made a gesture for Gavin Peter to enter.

As the door opened, Gavin Peter saw Xia Yu, who had just stood up.

Although Gavin Peter was aware that Xia Yu was young from his research, seeing Xia Yu's face still surprised him.

However, Gavin Peter was an experienced individual. In Britain, many heirs to large families join the family business at a young age, but unlike those who merely gain experience, Xia Yu was directly in charge of a company.

"Hello, Mr. Xia. I'm Gavin Peter. I apologize for keeping you waiting!"

Gavin Peter quickly stepped forward, extended his hand, and shook hands with Xia Yu, showing his apology.

"Hello, Mr. Peter. I also just arrived. Please, have a seat!"

Xia Yu said, releasing his hand and inviting Gavin Peter to sit opposite him.

"Feel free to order whatever you like." Xia Yu smiled as the waitress handed over the menu.

"I'll have a latte, thank you!"

Soon, the waitress brought the coffee and, understanding the situation, left discreetly.

"Mr. Peter, I've reviewed your resume and found your experience quite impressive. I recognize your abilities, but may I ask why you would want to join my new company, which has nothing yet, instead of staying at your current position as Deputy Manager at Penguin Publishing Group's Hong Kong branch?"

After the pleasantries and once Gavin Peter had sipped his coffee and was ready, Xia Yu's expression turned serious, and he began his questioning.

Seeing the formal interview beginning, Gavin Peter's spirit was lifted. He was well-prepared and immediately responded, "In my previous position, I worked for six years under a boss who had strong opinions."

He spread his hands helplessly, implying that his boss was stubborn and didn't listen to his suggestions. The term 'strong opinions' was a polite way of saying that he was difficult to work with. Having held the same position for six years, there was no hope for promotion.

Discomfort and lack of advancement were unacceptable for a man in his forties at the peak of his career.

"I believe my abilities are sufficient, but there isn't enough space for me to fully utilize them, so I decided to come here!"

Hearing this, Xia Yu nodded slightly. Preferring to be a big fish in a small pond rather than a small fish in a big pond, it was no surprise he wanted to switch jobs.

With this point clarified, Xia Yu continued, "If you were to become the General Manager of the company, how would you ensure rapid development? I'd like to hear your management approach."

Knowing the main question had arrived, Gavin Peter took a moment to think, then nodded slightly at Xia Yu with a confident smile and began his explanation.

"I've studied your company. So far, apart from newspapers and magazines, your publishing division has only published the novel *The Qin Empire*, which has been very successful and has established a strong presence in the Chinese popular novel market."

"Additionally, you have an advantage with your distribution channels covering all of Southeast Asia."

"However, the book publishing industry is also part of the media sector and has many branches, such as popular novels, social sciences, business non-fiction, high-end popular literature, literary works, political books, children's books, and so on."

"Your Jiuding Publishing Company is a newly established company starting from scratch. To achieve rapid development, the best approach is acquisitions and mergers! Bringing in the achievements accumulated by other companies over decades will help your company grow."

"If I were to manage the company, my core management principle would be acquisition—filling in the company's gaps, turning competitors into allies, and having subsidiary companies specialize in their niches. This way, they can break through in a highly competitive market."

"These are my management principles. Thank you!"

After finishing his explanation, Gavin Peter politely said and looked at Xia Yu with a smile, waiting for his response.