Losing Money to Be a Tycoon

In the afternoon, at the nameless restaurant…

Lu Zhiyao, Zhang Zuting, Lin Ruyi, Zhu Xiaoce, and Huang Sibo… along with the entire production crew, editing crew, and other core employees of Fei Huang Workspace gathered for a meal. As they enjoyed the delicacies in front of them, they drank alcohol and chatted.

"That's why I still think that Boss Pei had great foresight from the beginning because he made all the dialogue English! Why else would the film have been so well-received both within and outside the country? Look at the blockbusters over the last few years. How many of them managed to get tens of millions of US dollars overseas?!"

"That's right. Boss Pei really gave this film its own soul!"

"At least fifty percent of the praise that the film got from film critics belonged to Boss Pei."

"Just fifty percent?"

"Sorry, I've underestimated it. I'll punish myself by downing this glass of wine."

"Director Zhu, have you brought the trophy with you?"

"Yes, I have, I have. Come on, pass it down carefully, everyone. If you break or scratch it, we'll have to wait until next year to get another one."

"Director Zhu, that's where you're wrong. Are you so confident that you would receive the same award next year? What if you get the Palme d'Or instead?"

"That's right! For all we know, this might be the last Jury Award that we would ever win from Cannes. From now on, we might just keep winning Palme d'Ors. This is too memorable. We have to be careful with it!"

"We really have Boss Pei to thank! It's a pity that he can't be here because he's too busy."

"Everyone, let's raise a toast to Boss Pei!"

"That's right, let's raise a toast to Boss Pei!"

Everyone raised their glasses with their faces flushed. Obviously, all of them had been celebrating so hard that they were now feeling light-headed.

However, for some reason, they looked like a family from the same village, drinking together.

Lu Zhiyao also uncharacteristically drank two glasses of wine. He asked Zhu Xiaoce, "Director Zhu, have you started preparing for the next film already?"

Zhu Xiaoce waved. "Don't talk about it. We've been given 'shock therapy' by Boss Pei. The entire department is on paid leave! Still, we took that chance to gather inspiration and strengthen our foundation.

"Honestly speaking, I think Tomorrow is Beautiful could have done better if we had a better grasp of our skills. I feel like our skills didn't do justice to Boss Pei's idea—it's a pity. We have to work harder not to drag Boss Pei down for the next film!"

Lu Zhiyao nodded. "Speaking of which, I feel like I haven't matured in certain aspects of my acting. I have to work even harder. Indeed, working with Boss Pei would cause anyone to think harder about improving."

Zhang Zuting took a bite of his barbecued meat and asked Huang Sibo, "What's Boss Pei busy with? Is he so busy that he doesn't even have time to have a meal with us?"

Huang Sibo smiled. "Uncle Zhang, don't you know Boss Pei well enough yet?

"He doesn't enjoy celebrations to begin with.

"Actually, Boss Pei has always been like that. He was like that when we were working on games together, too. Each time a game became popular and profitable, everyone would happily celebrate, but Boss Pei would move on to think about the next project. He has never been one to be too happy with himself.

"I really can't grasp that.

"Of course, on top of that, Boss Pei is really very busy. Look at all the projects he has to work on at the moment: the internet cafes, the take-outs, the Sloth Apartments, the gym, two game companies…"

Huang Sibo started counting, but because he had had too much alcohol, he could not think straight. After a long time, he still couldn't finish counting.

"In short, he's a very busy man. If it were anyone else, they would get dizzy trying to take care of so many businesses at the same time. The connections between each department would be an absolute mess.

"They would have no way to stay on top of it all.

"However, Boss Pei is different. He is still very clear about the inter-departmental connections. He can still cause the various departments to work together and carry out his plan. No ordinary human would be able to achieve this."

Zhang Zuting nodded. "That's true. However… even if Boss Pei doesn't have time for a meal, he should still be able to spare some time to meet us and talk to us, right?

"I haven't seen him in quite a while.

"Why don't we pay Boss Pei a visit? We can leave after we greet him and catch up with him for a while, and we won't take up too much of his time. How does that sound?"

Lu Zhiyao nodded. "Alright, but I don't think too many of us should go. We shouldn't interrupt Boss Pei's work."

Zhu Xiaoce said, "Most importantly… do you know where Boss Pei is now? It doesn't seem appropriate for us to call and ask him, right?"

Pei Qian considered it for a moment. "It is inappropriate to call him. If we do, Boss Pei will take our call very seriously and try to make time to meet us. Wouldn't we be interrupting his work, then?

"How about this? We can go to the few places that Boss Pei normally visits and try our luck. If we bump into him we can greet him. Otherwise, we can forget about it."

"Alright!" Lu Zhiyao and the others nodded in agreement.

…

At 4 PM, in Tengda Games…

Huang Sibo seemed frustrated. "If Boss Pei is not here, we will really be helpless."

After the gathering ended, they had visited Fish-Catching Internet Cafe's Handong University branch, Deposit Fitness, and Boss Pei's office on the 16th floor of Shenhua Views. Yet, they had not been able to find him.

Finally, they decided to try their luck at Tengda Games. If he wasn't there, they would give up.

After all, Tengda had too many departments, and it would not be practical for them to visit every single one.

Everyone walked into Tengda Games' office, hoping to spot Boss Pei's familiar figure.

At that moment, Hu Xianbin was at his desk, scratching his head. Suddenly, from the corner of his eyes, he saw a couple of people walk through the entrance. When he looked up, he was shocked!

Zhang Zuting? Lu Zhiyao? Huang Sibo? Zhu Xiaoce?

Weren't they the two lead actors and directors of Tomorrow is Beautiful?

Hu Xianbin was overjoyed! He ran towards them and grabbed Huang Sibo's hand.

"Brother Huang! Do you know telepathy? How did you know that I wanted to contact you?"

Huang Sibo paused. "Contact me? What for?"

Hu Xianbin replied, "I wanted you to contact Director Zhu for me so that he can guide the actors' acting!"

The four of them felt light-headed. "Acting? What acting? Is Tengda filming another movie?

Hu Xianbin quickly explained, "The motion-capture actors' acting! It's for Boss Pei's new game, Struggle!"

As he explained, he retrieved Struggle's script from beside him and handed a copy to Zhang Zuting and Lu Zhiyao.

Zhang Zuting read the script, his expression becoming increasingly exaggerated.

After briefly scanning through the two-page-long story outline, Zhang Zuting smacked his thigh. "Why isn't Boss Pei turning this good script into a movie? The message is so deep. Although I don't know if it'll do well in the box office, it'll definitely win an award!"

Huang Sibo had a different opinion. "Uncle Zhang, the game is to be split into two versions—rich and poor. There seems to be a special meaning behind that. It won't be easy to bring that message across through a film."

"Why not? We just have to think of a way to merge them together! This has to do with emphasizing the gap between the rich and the poor. If we do it well, the film could have a lot of potential!" Zhang Zuting still insisted that the script would be better as a movie.

From the side, Zhu Xiaoce brought the discussion back to the main point. "It's alright, Uncle Zhang. We'll still have time to consider turning the game into a movie after it becomes popular. I'm sure Boss Pei has thought about that."

Turning to Hu Xianbin, he said, "You were saying you need help directing the acting? What's that about?"

Hu Xianbin answered, "I'm worrying about that right now. All the scenes in our game require real motion-capture actors. We need to capture every single expression and detail of the actors.

"What's more, according to Boss Pei's instructions, the game is to take on a more exaggerated style. Each actor's unique facial features are to be emphasized as much as possible.

"However, that requires a lot from the actors. Emphasizing the actors' features means that more exaggerated acting is required. However, all the motion-capture actors are bit-role actors who don't have much experience in this area…"

At once, Zhang Zuting understood. "That's easy. I can go and direct the actors, can't I? I have a lot of experience acting as both a poor person and a wealthy person. I also know a lot about exaggerated acting. Just leave it to me!"

Hu Xianbin was pleasantly surprised. "Really? Thank you so much! But… would that affect your travel itinerary?"

Zhang Zuting waved his hand. "No, it wouldn't. Boss Pei has helped me so much. I'll return the favor by directing the acting. It's a small matter."

Elated, Hu Xianbin exclaimed, "Then, I'll really have to thank you, Mr. Zhang!"

Zhang Zuting grinned. Although he could not meet Boss Pei this time, helping out behind the scenes didn't seem like a bad idea!

…

…

June 22nd, Wednesday…

At Jingzhou's old industrial zone…

Pei Qian looked at the Thriller Hostel, which was being built up at a rapid speed, along with the surrounding facilities. An unspeakable sorrow began to fill his heart.

The progress was too quick!

Pei Qian hoped that it would slow down, but no one seemed to be able to hear his secret wishes.

Over the last two days, Pei Qian had already visited the old industrial zone twice. He wanted to be clear on Thriller Hostel's current situation so that nothing could be sprung on him at the last minute.

However, after seeing things for himself, he realized that the situation was not looking good!

Thriller Hostel was meant to be a lonely haunted house in the industrial zone. There wasn't meant to be any facilities around it, and it was supposed to look very unimpressive.

Yet, now, Boss Li and the others had built restaurants and hotels in the area. Even the plaza outside had been renovated. In addition to the fountain in the middle, the area looked quite promising!

Everyone only renovated the original factories in the industrial zone, but after tidying up the surroundings, the weeds and the construction rubbish that had been accumulated was gone. The space immediately looked much neater.

The Golden Maze was still being built in a hurry, but it was looking different every day. The complicated structure with all sorts of intricacies was becoming visible, and Pei Qian was beginning to panic.

Fortunately, there were still a few problems left unresolved at the moment. For example, how would they market the place so that the entire country would know about this place? How would people get to the old industrial zone from the city?

Pei Qian walked two more rounds around Thriller Hostel and then decided to leave.

However, just then, he heard a surprised voice.

"Boss Pei? I knew it! You only say you want to incur losses, but in fact, this area is very important to you. You're still making time out of your busy schedule to visit!"

The corners of Pei Qian's mouth twitched. He didn't even have to turn around to know that it was Boss Li.

Pei Qian had been coming here in secret over the last two days, just like a thief, because he feared bumping into Boss Li and creating unnecessary drama. Yet, the situation that he had feared happened. He really bumped into Boss Li!

Pei Qian sighed inwardly. Then, he turned around and smiled. "Boss Li, good afternoon."

Boss Li was grinning. "Boss Pei, are you here because you knew I invited the investors over to discuss Thriller Hostel's marketing? Boss Pei, you must have a lot of insights when it comes to marketing!"

Pei Qian: "?"

There was no such thing! You're mistaken!

Obviously, Boss Li and the other investors knew that Thriller Hostel could not generate profits in its current state. Recovering their capital aside, just maintaining daily operations would be a struggle.

That was because there was simply not enough traffic.

A large-scale amusement park like that could not be sustained on locals alone. It needed tourists from different countries, all over the world.

However, how Thriller Hostel's marketing should be conducted was a problem

The write-up that Quanmin Reviews had done earlier—entitled 'Beautiful Jingzhou'—would have helped, but it was not enough.

Pei Qian sniggered. "I'm sorry, Boss Li. I'll make a move first because I have other work to do. You can take your time discussing."

Once he finished speaking, Pei Qian boarded his car and left at lightning speed.

Li Shi stood where he was, confused about the now-gone Boss Pei. Still, he could do nothing but sigh helplessly. Then, he returned to discuss Thriller Hostel's marketing with the other investors.