Losing Money to Be a Tycoon

July 18th, Monday…

Pei Qian came to the office early in the morning and was in a good mood. He even hummed a little song on the road. He gave Old Qiao a good deceiving yesterday.

It might be wrong to deceive others, but Pei Qian could not help it. He had repeatedly emphasized to Teacher Qiao that the video was okay and asked Teacher Qiao to give up, but the latter did not believe him!

Pei Qian did not dare let Teacher Qiao comprehend what he meant by himself. It would be much worse if he realized something terrible.

Therefore, Pei Qian came up with a plan to expel wolves by welcoming tigers!

Didn't you want to know how this video could be brought back to life?

That could be done, as long as you stop making videos on 'Products of the Gods' and 'Struggle'.

Pei Qian knew very well that Teacher Qiao would definitely over-interpret Struggle once it was released. The next Products of the Gods would definitely feature it.

If that was the case, why not take the initiative to strike?

Replace a video that was likely to make 'Struggle' popular with a random video. That would be bloody profitable!

He looked at Teacher Qiao and realized that he must have been convinced.

It was famous that Boss Pei's words were golden, oh no, had the ability to turn stones into gold. Tengda's employees and Qiao Liang believed firmly in it.

Pei Qian suddenly felt that everything seemed to be going smoothly for him. It was as though it was his turn to be offensive.

So happy!

Pei Qian checked the situation of each industry again after coming to the office while he waited for Rui Yuchen to arrive.

Fei Huang Workspace, in shock therapy…

Fish-Catching Take-Out, loss…

Upwind Logistics, loss…

Fully-Automated Bickering Machine, loss…

'Top Student, Come Quick', about to turn cold…

Thriller Hostel, can make a small profit but was not popular so it was still too early to recover the huge investment in the early stages…

DGE E-Sports Club, loss…

Deposit Fitness, seemed to be making more money but it was still at a loss…

Sloth Apartments, loss…

It seemed like there had not been a single project that was popular in this cycle after he carefully counted!

That was really a historical win!

Of course, there were some departments like Fish-Catching Internet Cafe, gaming department, and novel websites that were still profiting enormously. However, those were all problems left over from history to be solved slowly in the future.

Moreover, these departments basically spent all of their money. For example, Fish-Catching Internet Cafe was working hard opening branches even if it was making money. However, the breakeven became longer. In theory, it would definitely not generate profit if they opened branches fast enough.

Thriller Hostel—which encouraged so many dangers—actually managed to pull through and not become popular. That was a happy surprise, which gave Boss Pei a shot in the arm.

It was the first time Pei Qian had such a great feeling.

Knock, knock.

Someone knocked on the door. Pei Qian looked up. It was Rui Yuchen as expected. He knew that Rui Yuchen would definitely come and report to him on Monday.

Rui Yuchen handed over the document in his hand.

"Boss Pei, I'll report the current status of Fish-Catching Take-Out.

"At present, Food Harmony has been launched in several flagship stores. Our reputation is good, but the profit gap is relatively large. It seems like… it is not easy to promote it.

"As for the branches, Fish-Catching Take-Out's branches had been opened in several representative first- to third-tier cities, which gives us a base in most cities.

"From current data, Fish-Catching Take-Out's popularity is positively correlated with the size of the city. In other words, we are most popular in first-tier cities while we fare the worst in third-tier cities.

"Moreover, Fish-Catching Take-Out in the same area seems to be competing for resources."

Pei Qian looked at the information and nodded frequently.

Good news!

Food Harmony's destiny was set. They had a good reputation, but they would definitely not make money.

Moreover, what made Pei Qian happier was the situation with Fish-Catching Take-Out.

Previously, Pei Qian allowed Rui Yuchen to spend money openly, and Rui Yuchen did not disappoint—opening Fish-Catching Take-Out branches all across the country.

The result this time could be seen as setting their base everywhere.

Pei Qian felt that the information basically met his expectations. The healthy, exquisite, and high-value meals like Fish-Catching Take-Out were definitely more popular in larger cities.

That was because there were a large number of white-collar workers and young people in the cities. They did not like to cook yet had a demand for healthy food. At the same time, they were not so sensitive towards prices so they would definitely welcome Fish-Catching Take-Out.

The young in third-tier cities were originally lesser. Their overall income was relatively lower, and it was not very possible for them to eat Fish-Catching Take-Out.

At the same time, a city with more Fish-Catching Take-Out would squeeze and grab resources from each other.

Because there were only so many customers ordering Fish-Catching Take-Out, both stores would be vying with each other for business that no one could dream of making more money.

Rui Yuchen said, "According to the contents of this report, I think we should focus on the super first-tier and first-tier cities as the main goal. At the same time, spread the storefronts and let them bloom as much as possible!"

Pei Qian was deep in thought.

Focus on the super first-tier cities? Make them bloom?

Obviously not, that would definitely make money.

Pei Qian thought for a while and said. "Open all new branches in second- and third-tier cities in Handong Province, especially Jingzhou—fill them all up!"

Rui Yuchen: "Huh?"

He felt slightly light-headed.

Boss Pei was not listening to the information that I sorted so seriously into a report?

Or did Boss Pei have something up his sleeve?

Not possible, no matter what he had up his sleeve, Boss Pei could not go up against the market, right?

Pei Qian continued. "Yes, and since the reputation of Food Harmony is good, seize the opportunity to promote it. Open them in all the Fish-Catching Internet Cafes!

"Sell them at the current price; never give any discounts, understood?"

Rui Yuchen gasped, wanting to speak but stopped.

What else could he say since Boss Pei had said everything…?

He could only nod. "Alright Boss Pei, I'll work on it now."

Pei Qian happily put on a blanket and began his drama marathon after Rui Yuchen left. No one else came to ask for instructions even after he had lunch.

Pei Qian was very happy; this seemed to be a good sign.

He was about to leave work happily when he received a message from Zhang Yuan.

"Boss Pei, we have spent all the budget. Our players are all discouraged and want to go back; can we return?"

Pei Qian was stunned.

Spent all their budget? The players were all discouraged?

Good news was coming one after another!

Zhang Yuan might not have said why the players were discouraged, but that was very easy to guess!

The training schedule of the DGE club was so unreasonable, without much time to train in games with their daily fitness regime. It was normal to be beaten by professional players from other clubs!

Obviously because they had been beaten too harshly, their morale totally collapsed and missed home.

Most welcome!

And it had to be a warm welcome!

Pei Qian counted on his fingers. It would be the 20th soon, which could be arranged directly at Ming Yun Private Kitchen. He would call on the Deposit Fitness branch manager together to celebrate.

I want to send everyone a wrong message:

Even if we were beaten in our mock competitions—even if the gym was losing money, Boss Pei would not care and still invite us to enjoy ourselves!

The DGE club and Deposit Fitness would always be stable as long as everyone could understand this point!

The more Pei Qian thought about, the more perfect this plan was. He replied immediately, "Okay, come back! I'm booking a room for us in the nameless restaurant to welcome the team home!"

…

…

July 20th, Wednesday…

DGE E-Sports Club…

The team members dragged their suitcases and returned to their own rooms.

"Ah, finally home!"

"The scenery here is still much better."

"I haven't been working out these few days. I feel fat coming out on me; shall we go to the gym after dinner?"

"Hehe, don't crack the wise. I have to undergo additional training until next month…"

There was only one word to describe the feeling Huang Wang had after he lied on his own bed: comfy!

If he were to use one word to summarize their experience outside for two weeks, it would be 'disappointment'!

Everyone was excited at the start of the journey. They would not need to gym and become as tired as a dog when outside.

They could visit the veteran clubs and meet their idols when they were younger. They would be able to play against the master and have hearty mock competitions.

They could go to the big cities to experience the world and experience the prosperity of the big cities…

In short, everyone was filled with expectations at the beginning of the trip!

However, everything changed when they returned to Jingzhou. Their fitness habit was broken, and they felt uncomfortable all over.

The veteran clubs were so shabby; they were basically a large internet cafe. Their images were completely collapsed.

The players in the other clubs were so noob that they could not even bear to look straight at them in the eyes. They were only evenly matched when Coach Ma was on the team. The trouble Coach Ma gave to them was even bigger than the five opponents opposite them; the mock competition was unbearable.

Shanghai was nothing more than that. There was no Fish-Catching Internet Cafe, no Fish-Catching Take-Out… particularly unable to adapt.

In fact, everyone wanted to return a long time ago because it really did not make sense to play mock competition with these clubs; they were too amateur!

However, Zhang Yuan said they had to use up the budget.

Therefore, everyone could only follow the original plan and run over all the other clubs one by one. The results were disappointing; none of them was their match!

They thought that the H4 club, whom they played against on the first day, was just the beginning. However, they were the best.

The other clubs were even more inferior to them!

They really did not know how to wrap it up if it was not because of Coach Ma.

The DGE club stayed with each club for three days and was abused for three days. After three days, they felt that the members of the clubs were nearly on the brink of collapse so they hurriedly changed to another.

They finally spent their budget and returned to Jingzhou.

Huang Wang put his suitcases away and returned to the training room.

Zhang Yuan had just packed his things and came out.

"Brother Zhang! Is Boss Pei treating us for dinner today? It seems to be the first time since the establishment of our club? Does that mean Boss Pei is going to celebrate for us?" Huang Wang asked.

Zhang Yuan thought for a while. "Probably. Oh, yes, everyone please take note. Don't take too much credit for yourself. Boss Pei hates such people.

"Boss Pei should be very clear about everyone's strengths. Our winning streak was probably within his expectations. Do not mention it repeatedly; it will definitely arouse Boss Pei's disgust."

"Ah?" Huang Wang was stunned for a moment. "Boss Pei doesn't like people who take credit? Then, what should we do?"

Zhang Yuan pondered. "Everyone, bury your heads in your meal tonight. If Boss Pei comes for a toast, you have to respond enthusiastically. However, don't get carried away and brag about yourself. Be humble and low-key.

"This is a bit of insight I have after working with Boss Pei for so long."