Having finalized the movie script, Pei Qian felt completely relieved.
However, now was not yet the time to relax.
Currently, Mr. Pei has 1.8 million yuan on hand, which is enough to buy his parents a new house.
As for how to explain the source of this money…
Easy enough—he would just say that he had become part of Fei Huang Studio’s management team, and that the studio’s previous short videos had earned quite a bit of money, from which he had received a substantial bonus.
Strictly speaking, there was nothing wrong with this explanation. Mr. Pei was indeed part of Fei Huang Studio’s management, and Fei Huang Studio had indeed earned a considerable amount of money.
Pei Qian planned to find time to go home for a visit and settle these matters.
But before that, he needed to properly handle the company’s affairs.
This settlement cycle was five months long—not short, but the time wasn’t exactly abundant either.
This was because the projects Pei Qian planned to work on during this cycle, including filming a movie and developing a mobile phone, were all quite time-consuming.
Take the movie, for example. Although the content was relatively simple and there weren’t many special effects, it would still take at least one month for planning, two months for filming, one month for editing and post-production, barely allowing it to be released before the settlement.
Fortunately, after the system upgraded to version 2.0, there was an additional benefit—each cycle could have one project that hadn’t yet yielded results.
For instance, with the movie, if it wasn’t completed within this cycle, it wouldn’t affect the settlement and could be carried over to the next cycle.
It would have to be released before the next cycle’s settlement, though.
But as far as Pei Qian was concerned, anything that could be completed in this cycle should ideally be completed in this cycle.
The system’s benefit served more as a safety net. If he always kept this in mind and deliberately delayed certain projects, it would very likely backfire in the end.
Pei Qian flipped through his notebook and turned his attention to Ma Yang.
Although he was reluctant to frequently trouble his good brother, there was no other choice.
The capable must do more work!
In the last settlement, although the Slackin’ Internet Café, managed by Ma Yang, had slightly backstabbed Mr. Pei, Pei Qian knew this wasn’t Ma Yang’s intention.
The success of Slackin’ Internet Café was mainly due to being dragged down by Mr. Pei’s own “Return to Shore,” with Ma Yang simply riding the wave to victory.
And it was Zhang Yuan, not Ma Yang, who had created the ROF assembly brand.
So, Old Ma was still trustworthy, truly deserving to be Mr. Pei’s most valued employee!
But in the current situation, Ma Yang and Zhang Yuan had to be separated.
Pei Qian had already determined that Zhang Yuan was a traitor. On the surface, he appeared to be a forum expert, but his thinking had already gone wrong recently.
If he continued to influence Old Ma, the situation could become very dire.
Pei Qian thought about it—either have Old Ma be responsible for the current business and find something new for Zhang Yuan, or have Zhang Yuan be responsible for the current business and find something new for Old Ma.
After much consideration, the latter seemed more appropriate.
This was because Mr. Pei happened to have a new business direction that was particularly suitable for Ma Yang to showcase his talents.
Pei Qian wouldn’t feel comfortable entrusting this business to anyone else; only Ma Yang would give him peace of mind!
Mr. Pei wanted to open an investment company.
Actually, he had had this idea for a long time, but due to funding issues, it had never been realized.
Previously, Tenda’s funds were basically all invested in the production sector. Whether making games or opening physical stores, a lot of money was spent, and there wasn’t much spare cash in the account.
Squeezing out three to four million yuan at most, he could invest, but it wouldn’t be very meaningful—it would be better to open a few more Slackin’ Internet Cafés and Headwind Stations.
But now, the side effects of the last-minute spending from the previous cycle would eventually come, and relying solely on conventional means of spending money was becoming a bit unsustainable.
So after some thought, Pei Qian decided he had to open an investment company.
Although he was somewhat reluctant.
Venture capital was full of risks, but once successful, the returns were also terrifyingly high.
Pei Qian was very aware of his luck. Judging by his previous track record of making money with trash games, if he got into investments, he’d probably make so much money he’d lose his pants.
But now the arrow was on the string and had to be released. Pei Qian was already feeling overwhelmed trying to squander the system funds on his own; he had to seek help from others.
So, after much consideration, Mr. Pei could only reluctantly open this investment company.
As for why he couldn’t manage it himself…
On one hand, Mr. Pei was busy with work and needed to personally oversee other areas. If he took full responsibility for investments, other businesses might severely backstab him.
On the other hand, Mr. Pei had begun to doubt his judgment.
Therefore, it was more prudent to hand it over to Old Ma.
He didn’t even require Old Ma to lose everything; as long as he made a symbolic effort and incurred small losses, it would achieve Mr. Pei’s goal.
…
October 3rd.
Slackin’ Internet Café.
“Qian-ge, it’s up to you, quick, quick, quick…”
Ma Yang stared at Pei Qian’s screen, cheering louder than anyone else.
However, seeing the big words “DEFEAT” appear on the screen, Pei Qian had only one feeling—speechlessness.
In the final team fight, while the super-fed Mr. Pei went to push a lane, his teammates rushed in one by one like a chain of rescue attempts, resulting in the glorious achievement of trading four deaths for one kill.
Ma Yang wasn’t the first to rush in and die; he was the last one.
Originally, if Ma Yang had survived, he could have coordinated with Pei Qian at the high ground for a two-versus-four situation, which still had hope.
But Ma Yang also died, and in a one versus four situation, Pei Qian used all his skills to only kill two people, and could only helplessly watch as the base exploded.
“Ah, what a pity, Qian-ge. Let’s play another round!”
Ma Yang was about to start another game.
Pei Qian quickly stopped him: “Not now! I have something important to discuss with you!”
“Oh, alright.” Ma Yang reluctantly closed “Divine Awakening.”
Today, Pei Qian had come to Slackin’ Internet Café specifically to briefly explain the investment company matter to Ma Yang.
After arriving, his fingers were itching, so he played a match with Ma Yang.
As a result, they couldn’t carry the game at all!
Although losing the game was quite irritating, Pei Qian felt it should be viewed dialectically.
From a negative perspective, Pei Qian lost the game;
But from a positive perspective, Pei Qian confirmed that Old Ma was still the same Old Ma, still reliable!
The two of them went to the rest area, and Pei Qian also called Zhang Yuan over.
Zhang Yuan had been busy with ROF matters recently.
After the 1024 Digital Festival, ROF’s prices had returned to their original levels, but because the brand’s reputation had already spread, many local Jingzhou residents were still buying in large numbers.
So, Zhang Yuan had been very busy lately, while Ma Yang had been quite free.
Pei Qian first looked at Zhang Yuan: “From now on, you will be the CEO of Slackin’ Internet Café. The internet café and ROF business will be under your full responsibility.”
Zhang Yuan was stunned.
I’ve become the CEO?
Just like that?
What about Boss Ma?
Ma Yang’s long face instantly turned pale.
“Qian-ge, I… I just didn’t perform well in the last game, is that enough reason to demote me completely??”
“I may not have merits, but I’ve put in the effort…”
Ma Yang thought that Pei Qian was holding a grudge because he had been dragged down in the previous game.
Pei Qian didn’t know whether to laugh or cry: “What are you thinking! I have a new task for you, a very important one!”
Recently, Tenda has opened a new investment company. I’ve been considering, and for the CEO of this investment company, you are the most suitable candidate!”
The expression on Ma Yang’s long face froze, changing from a bitter gourd face to confusion, and then to wild joy.
“Qian-ge! I… I’ve always wanted to be an angel investor! Rest assured, Qian-ge, this job is perfect for me. I definitely won’t let you down!”
Zhang Yuan stood to the side, watching in astonishment.
For a moment, he couldn’t figure out what Mr. Pei’s criteria for selecting people were.
If Mr. Pei was selecting based on talent and ability?
Looking at Boss Ma’s natural qualities, he didn’t seem like investment material at all, did he?
Zhang Yuan had always felt that letting Boss Ma manage Slackin’ Internet Café was already quite outrageous, and managing an investment company was much harder than managing an internet café. Could he handle it?
But if Mr. Pei was selecting based on nepotism?
That wasn’t the case either.
Zhang Yuan himself had no relation to Mr. Pei, yet he had also been promoted, directly taking over Ma Yang’s position to become the CEO of Slackin’ Internet Café.
Mr. Pei hadn’t arranged this position for his relatives, so it certainly couldn’t be called nepotism.
Therefore, Zhang Yuan was also confused, just feeling that Mr. Pei’s actions were profound and unfathomable.
Perhaps Boss Ma had some qualities that ordinary people couldn’t see…
Pei Qian looked at Zhang Yuan: “Alright, if there’s nothing else, you can go back to your work.”
Zhang Yuan nodded: “Yes, Mr. Pei. I will continue to work hard and create even better results for Slackin’ Internet Café!”
Pei Qian: “…”
After Zhang Yuan left, Pei Qian cleared his throat a couple of times and began to seriously discuss the investment company matter with Ma Yang.
This time, Pei Qian had decided that he wouldn’t find an assistant for Ma Yang again, no matter what.
Because Pei Qian had discovered that Ma Yang’s views were determined by the last person who spoke to him.
Mr. Pei might have successfully brainwashed him now, but if he didn’t keep an eye on him, he would be brainwashed back by someone else in no time.
So, he absolutely could not find a deputy for Ma Yang again, at least not one who would come up with random ideas.
He would find some tools without personal thoughts for him, to ensure that Ma Yang would always act according to Pei Qian’s ideas.
Of course, that was a matter for later.
The primary goal was still to brainwash Ma Yang.
“Our investment company will be different from other investment companies.”
Ma Yang listened very attentively: “Hmm, how so?”
Pei Qian asked: “You should be very clear about what an investment company does, right?”
Ma Yang nodded excitedly: “Of course I know! An investment company invests money in companies that have the potential to make money, and then when they make big money, they share it with us!”
Pei Qian: “…”
Very colloquial, but this wasn’t the answer Mr. Pei wanted.
“Your understanding is too superficial!”
“Does Tenda lack money?”
“Aren’t games and internet cafés already making more than enough?”
Mr. Pei’s words had a somewhat teeth-grinding quality to them.
Ma Yang: “Uh… so, Qian-ge, what do you mean is…”
Pei Qian said earnestly: “I’m not saying that an investment company definitely can’t make money; making money is just one of its many goals.”
“Investment is about taking the extra money in your hands and investing it where it should go most.”
“What is the place where money should go most?”
“Is a place that makes money the place where it should go most? Of course not!”
“Many companies that truly benefit society go bankrupt due to broken capital chains, and partners who gathered for a dream are forced to part ways. What a pity that is!”
“So, our investment company will be called ‘Dream Fulfillment Venture Capital.’ Our goal is not to make money, but to fulfill the dreams of those small companies whose dreams have been shattered!”