The matter of additional investment in VR headsets was settled just like that.
Tenda Group and Shenhua Group each contributed another ten million yuan, totaling forty million yuan, which was more than sufficient to develop a VR headset. The final product would certainly be among the most technologically advanced available on the market.
However, this also brought enormous risk.
After all, the current VR industry was developing very slowly, and in China, it was practically nonexistent. In all likelihood, this headset would be priced at over 4,000 yuan, and the profit margins wouldn’t be very high.
How many people would spend money to purchase it? And how many headsets would need to be sold to recover the forty-million-yuan development cost?
If each VR headset could generate a profit of 400 yuan, they would need to sell 100,000 units just to break even.
Finding 100,000 people in China willing to spend over 4,000 yuan on a VR headset would be extremely difficult.
And if they wanted to expand the user base, they would have to lower prices to promote sales, which would further dilute profits. The final sales figures would likely need to be much higher than this to be successful.
After doing this quick calculation, Pei Qian inexplicably felt a sense of happiness.
It’s a good thing my goal is to lose money!
If his goal were to make money, he would absolutely never have the determination to undertake such a high-risk venture.
But now, the higher the risk, the more he looked forward to it!
Pei Qian checked his watch—it was just after four in the afternoon.
He had to admit his efficiency was quite high. He had rushed over at three o’clock, and the total time spent traveling and discussing business had only been a little over an hour.
When it comes to spending money, you’ve got to be quick!
Pei Qian stood up, preparing to leave, and Lin Chang and Lin Wan together saw him out.
Just as they stepped out, they saw Ye Zhizhou and Wang Xiaobin walking toward them.
“Hello, Mr. Pei!” the two quickly greeted him.
Since Lin Wan had left Shangyang Games, it had been completely taken over by Ye Zhizhou and Wang Xiaobin. Although Ye Zhizhou was officially in charge, Wang Xiaobin was essentially doing the work of a manager as well.
The two worked together, each handling different matters.
For example, the development of “Fitness Showdown” was entirely Wang Xiaobin’s responsibility.
After establishing Chi Xing Studio, Pei Qian had asked Ye Zhizhou and Wang Xiaobin to come over and help more often, hoping that Chi Xing Studio could get on track quickly. This way, Lin Wan would no longer think about returning to Tenda Group.
Clearly, Ye Zhizhou and Wang Xiaobin had come over this time to discuss work matters.
Pei Qian glanced at his watch. “It’s almost quitting time, so be quick about it.”
The two hurriedly replied, “Yes, Mr. Pei! We’ll definitely leave on time!”
Pei Qian thought for a moment, then added, “Pay more attention to Chi Xing Studio matters. If you can’t manage everything, it’s fine to put Shangyang Games’ work on hold temporarily.”
“Make sure you prioritize properly, understand?”
Both nodded again: “Yes, Mr. Pei, understood!”
Pei Qian was relatively satisfied with their attitude. After saying a final goodbye to everyone, he left.
The blame for the success of “Fitness Showdown” should obviously fall on Wang Xiaobin.
But strangely, Pei Qian didn’t feel like reprimanding him.
Why was that?
Perhaps because game successes had become all too common, and especially since he had just been severely wounded by “Mission and Choice,” Pei Qian’s pain receptors had become somewhat numb…
However, Pei Qian hadn’t forgotten to take precautions against Shangyang Games’ future direction.
After these two had taken over as heads of Shangyang Games and “Fitness Showdown” had achieved success, they would certainly be ambitious about developing new games.
Making new games—wouldn’t that just mean making more money?
Mr. Pei would never let them succeed so easily.
So, Pei Qian specifically instructed them to pay more attention to helping Lin Wan handle matters at Chi Xing Studio, and even suggested that if they couldn’t manage everything, they could temporarily set aside work at Shangyang Games.
After all, the projects at Chi Xing Studio had already been decided. Having one more or one less person wouldn’t significantly impact the project’s progress. This way, not only would Shangyang Games temporarily come to a halt, but it would also help Lin Wan adapt more quickly to life outside of Tenda. Wasn’t that killing two birds with one stone?
Of course, he couldn’t be too explicit about this.
But Pei Qian believed that Ye Zhizhou and Wang Xiaobin would definitely take his words very seriously and implement them resolutely.
…
After leaving Chi Xing Studio, Pei Qian took a car back to Slackin’ Internet Café near his residence, planning to have dinner and then go home to rest.
Today was Thursday, so Slackin’ Internet Café had fewer people than on weekends, but the seats on the first and second floors were still completely full.
However, compared to the scenes during the previous peak period, the crowded situation had improved somewhat, and the overall occupancy of the internet café had returned to a normal level.
Pei Qian knew this was because Slackin’ Internet Café had been opening more and more branches!
Currently, the main development direction for physical businesses like Slackin’ Internet Café was focused on Jingzhou city, other cities in Handong Province, and the three top-tier cities of the Capital, Magic City, and Yangcheng.
There were especially many businesses in Jingzhou.
With the dispersal of customers to so many branches, these older establishments were no longer packed to capacity. They looked more peaceful, and Pei Qian felt more comfortable coming here for meals every day.
However, the current state of Slackin’ Internet Café still worried him because among all the physical businesses, Slackin’ Internet Café had started earliest, had the biggest reputation, and made the most money. And Xiao Peng was no pushover—now Slackin’ Internet Café had evolved to version 3.0, which always gave Pei Qian a sense of insecurity.
So every time he ate here, he would consider how to reduce some of Slackin’ Internet Café’s income, and today was no exception.
But solutions weren’t easy to come by.
This was because when Slackin’ Internet Café was initially designed, it had been divided into multiple areas: coffee area, audio-visual area, library area, retail area, and more, incorporating many functions that weren’t particularly useful.
And the area that could make the most money—the internet browsing area—had very spacious seating.
As a result, it was actually quite difficult for the entire internet café to be profitable, placing it right at the critical threshold allowed by the system.
If the entire café had only one computer, it indeed wouldn’t make money, but the system wouldn’t approve that either.
But despite the difficulty in profitability, it was still profitable!
After becoming profitable, the entire internet café suddenly entered a virtuous cycle. Because of its spacious layout, excellent conditions, and rich functionality, Slackin’ Internet Café became synonymous with high-end internet cafés. When nearby residents thought about going to a high-end internet café, Slackin’ Internet Café was the first place that came to mind.
Some people even called to make reservations and made large deposits just to secure spots in advance.
Other businesses in Slackin’ Internet Café also made a lot of money, such as the drinks and beverages at the bar counter and the retail area on the second floor, which accounted for a large portion of the café’s income.
Pei Qian wanted to make some changes, but given the current situation, it was difficult to figure out where to start.
Today, after visiting Chi Xing Studio, Pei Qian suddenly had a flash of inspiration and came up with a new idea.
This idea quickly formed into a perfect plan in his mind!
Pei Qian immediately called Xiao Peng and asked him to come over.
Since Slackin’ Internet Café had expanded into top-tier cities, Xiao Peng had become a very busy person, frequently flying between several cities. Fortunately, he happened to be in Jingzhou this week, so he arrived quickly.
Seeing Mr. Pei, Xiao Peng was very happy.
But just as he was about to greet him, Pei Qian stopped him.
Xiao Peng immediately understood—there were many people in the shop, and they couldn’t reveal their connection.
Slackin’ Internet Café had many regular customers, but thanks to Tenda’s excellent confidentiality work, these regulars all thought Pei Qian was just an actor playing the role of Mr. Pei, not the real Mr. Pei. Only the café employees knew his true identity, and they all cooperated with his act.
As for Xiao Peng, as the manager of Slackin’ Internet Café, he had appeared in public on some occasions, but not many people recognized him. Most people wouldn’t pay attention to what the owner of a chain internet café looked like.
So, Xiao Peng and Pei Qian walked around Slackin’ Internet Café like two ordinary customers.
Xiao Peng’s face wore a very expectant expression because Mr. Pei hadn’t contacted him for a long time!
The last time Mr. Pei had provided guidance for Slackin’ Internet Café’s business was when he expanded stores to top-tier cities, but that wasn’t really guidance—it was more of a hint from Mr. Pei after placing a large number of advertisements in top-tier cities.
For face-to-face detailed guidance, one would have to go back to when Slackin’ Internet Café 3.0 was a huge success, but even then, Mr. Pei had only told Xiao Peng to continue opening branches without giving any substantive guidance or suggestions.
As everyone knew, within Tenda, nothing was more precious than personal guidance from Mr. Pei.
Because Mr. Pei’s profound insight into business principles made his guidance very philosophical and visionary. As long as one analyzed it carefully, it would definitely lead to huge leaps in business development in the short term!
But Slackin’ Internet Café hadn’t received any advice from Mr. Pei for more than nine months. Although the café was currently doing well and making good progress in top-tier cities like the Capital, Magic City, and Yangcheng, Xiao Peng always had a sense of uneasiness.
Today, Mr. Pei had finally remembered Slackin’ Internet Café and was going to offer guidance—how could one not be excited?
Pei Qian and Xiao Peng went to the second floor of the internet café.
“Do you know about Chi Xing Studio?” Pei Qian asked.
Xiao Peng nodded. “Yes. I heard Chi Xing Studio is developing a VR game?”
Pei Qian pointed to the computer stations on the second floor. “After Chi Xing Studio completes the VR game development, the original game area on the second floor needs to be converted into a VR game area, all equipped with new VR headsets and controllers!”
Slackin’ Internet Café 1.0 had many branches. Since the commercial spaces were rented, there were significant differences in their specific structures, so the layouts weren’t exactly the same.
But overall, they were all divided into several parts: gaming area, bar counter, coffee area, library area, retail area, and small theater.
Smaller internet cafés might not have small theaters and library areas, while larger ones divided the gaming area between upstairs and downstairs.
Pei Qian now wanted to change the entire gaming area on the second floor—that is, half of all usable computers—into VR equipment!
The reason was simple: VR takes up more space.