Moyu Internet Café.
Pei Qian sat in the coffee area, drinking the DRY MARTINI that Zhang Yuan had just mixed for him. Although he didn’t have stubble to sigh over, his eyes were sufficiently melancholic.
In the spacious internet café, Mr. Pei was like a firefly in the darkness, so outstanding.
Zhang Yuan and Ma Yang hid behind the counter, discussing in hushed tones.
“What should we do? Is Mr. Pei here to hold us accountable? Brother Ma, you have a close relationship with Mr. Pei; you need to find a way to smooth things over…”
Ma Yang’s long face looked solemn, yet showed a hint of determination.
“Rest assured, I’ll take full responsibility for this matter!”
“Even if you can’t stay at the internet café anymore, with the friendship between Qian and me, I’ll find a way to place you somewhere else.”
“Sigh, but coming back to the point, we’ve been quite embarrassing this time. It’s one thing that Huang Sibo’s team produced a popular short drama series, but who would have thought that even the game led by Lü Mingliang would be a huge hit! Only we keep losing money, it’s frustrating!”
Zhang Yuan complained a little: “Brother Ma, I’m not shifting blame, but we did try some solutions, yet Mr. Pei didn’t approve.”
Ma Yang shook his head: “That’s not the right way to think about it.”
“Qian is thinking more long-term. Those solutions we thought of—price reductions, promotions—all damage the brand image, which is why Qian didn’t agree.”
“Ultimately, it’s our lack of ability. We couldn’t come up with good ideas to achieve profitability while adhering to Qian’s overall direction.”
“Look at Huang Sibo. Although I’ve always felt he wasn’t that much better than me, he did handle things beautifully this time.”
“Qian didn’t allow them to accept low-end sponsorships that would damage their reputation, so they powered through with passion alone for two seasons of videos, and for the third season, they signed an exclusive deal with AiLiDao, making all their money back in one go!”
“That’s where we fall short.”
Zhang Yuan nodded: “You’re right, Brother Ma. Looking at it that way, I truly can’t shirk my responsibility.”
“Ah, that’s not what I meant. The main responsibility lies with me,” Ma Yang shook his head. “You’ve been helping me here wholeheartedly, doing the work of three people, and sometimes even caring about the financial issues of the internet café. You’ve been working very hard.”
Zhang Yuan felt sad inside, so these good days of earning three salaries would soon be coming to an end…
The internet café was losing money like crazy, and Mr. Pei would overhaul it. When the time came for personnel adjustments and accountability, Ma Yang’s close relationship with Mr. Pei meant he wouldn’t be touched, so I would be the one taking the fall…
Ma Yang and Zhang Yuan were both anxious and very uneasy.
Finally, Ma Yang steeled himself and walked toward Pei Qian.
…
Pei Qian sipped his drink while looking at the street view through the glass curtain wall.
In his field of vision, the system’s light screen appeared.
【Wealth Conversion System】
【Host: Pei Qian】
【Profit conversion ratio 100:1, Loss conversion ratio 1:1】
【Next settlement time: 8 days later】
【System funds: 2.74 million (↑1.74 million)】
【Personal assets: 46857.6】
【Special task for this cycle: Company must own at least one physical store, located in either a bustling commercial area or near a university. (Completed)】
【Special task completion reward: An additional 10% increase on top of the original conversion amount.】
How depressing!
He had already spent all the money that could be spent and had given employees benefits until his hands were sore—there was simply no other way.
Watching the system funds continuously increase, Pei Qian could only lie there like a salted fish, at the mercy of others.
But looking on the bright side, now for every increase in system funds, the converted personal assets would increase a little more.
A 100:1 ratio—in a situation where losses were impossible, it was better than nothing…
Pei Qian could only console himself this way.
Just as he was wallowing in his melancholy, Ma Yang approached.
“Qian, I know this puts you in a difficult position, but you entrusted the internet café to me, and if it’s losing money, that’s my responsibility! I can resign to take the blame this time, but Zhang Yuan is truly capable, you must continue to make good use of him!”
Ma Yang’s face was filled with indignation, somewhat reminiscent of an ancient general requesting death after losing a battle.
Pei Qian was stunned.
Resign to take the blame?
What drama is this?
Please don’t!
You’re my only hope right now!
Pei Qian quickly put down his drink and pulled over a nearby chair: “Sit down, Old Ma. How could you think of resigning?”
Ma Yang felt quite embarrassed: “Qian, the poor management of the internet café is mainly my responsibility, I’m clear about that. Although we’re close, company policies shouldn’t be waived for me—please criticize me!”
Pei Qian quickly raised his hand, gesturing for him to stop.
“Old Ma, what are you saying? You know very well that I’ve always valued you the most!”
“I want to praise you!”
“With you and Zhang Yuan watching over the internet café, among everyone, I trust you the most, and you certainly haven’t disappointed me!”
“Let me tell you, although the internet café is currently operating at a loss, your position in the company is much more important than the other two projects!”
“I want to especially, really praise you!”
Ma Yang was a bit confused. He carefully examined Pei Qian’s expression—it didn’t seem like he was just saying empty words.
He was genuinely sincere!
Fearing Ma Yang might misunderstand, Pei Qian quickly waved to Zhang Yuan, calling him over too.
These two were currently the only remaining worthy ministers!
Originally, Pei Qian thought Bao Xu and Huang Sibo could be entrusted with important tasks, but now he discovered that these two were both incredibly frustrating!
In the end, he still had to rely on his brothers!
Upon careful reflection, Pei Qian realized that since obtaining the system and founding Tenda, he had never once successfully made a loss!
The only exception was Moyu Internet Café, and its successful losses were mainly thanks to Ma Yang!
Those other people were too good at misinterpreting Pei Qian’s intentions.
Huang Sibo and Bao Xu had so thoroughly misinterpreted Pei Qian’s original intentions that “Sea Fortress,” which was supposed to be a guaranteed failure, had turned into something like “Crossfire”—who could withstand that?
But Ma Yang was different. Whatever Pei Qian said, he executed it earnestly—this was the precious quality Pei Qian needed most right now!
Pei Qian’s gaze toward Ma Yang was filled with eagerness.
This was the preserved spark of hope!
Initially, Pei Qian had almost despaired about making losses, but Moyu Internet Café had rekindled his hope.
One Moyu Internet Café successfully lost three hundred thousand per month, and the initial three million in costs could never be recovered.
So what about ten Moyu Internet Cafés?
If he opened chain stores with all his might, wouldn’t he be able to lose as much as he desired?
Therefore, Pei Qian’s gaze toward Ma Yang had never been so enthusiastic.
Ma Yang and Zhang Yuan felt this as well.
Mr. Pei’s gaze… seemed off.
It didn’t appear that he was reproaching them; rather, he seemed full of praise.
Both men were a bit puzzled.
But the anxiety they had been feeling subsided.
Pei Qian looked at Ma Yang, then at Zhang Yuan: “You’ve done very well, and you must continue to maintain this standard!”
“Next month, I plan to open Moyu Internet Café branches in other areas of Jingzhou City.”
“Get ready—what happened before was just a rehearsal. The real challenges lie ahead!”