Huang Sibo was speechless.
Pei Qian continued seriously, “Listen to me. Take an airplane. Time is money, understand? Once you get there, take care of food and lodging according to normal traveling standards. If you don’t know the standards, ask Assistant Xin.
“Once you get to Shanghai, don’t panic or be anxious. If you cannot finish filming, extend the timeline. Film leisurely. As long as you can finish by June 18th, that would be alright.
“If you extend the timeline, the most that would happen is you spend more on accommodation. How much could you possibly spend that way? If you don’t have enough money, ask me for more. That’s not a big deal.
“Remember. Tengda stands behind Fei Huang Workspace. If you have any difficulties, just open your mouth!”
Huang Sibo quickly nodded. “Yes, Boss Pei. I’ll listen to you.”
Pei Qian’s expression finally relaxed as he nodded. Sincerely and earnestly, he said, “You are an employee of Tengda, too. Do not let me worry about little things like that.
“You were even thinking of taking the green-skin train to Shanghai? Tengda would not tolerate such embarrassing employees like you!”
Huang Sibo’s face flushed. From the bottom of his heart, he was ashamed. “That’s right. Boss Pei, you are right. In the future, Fei Huang Workspace will follow in Tengda’s footsteps. We will do everything according to your standards.”
Pei Qian finally nodded, satisfied. “En, that’s the way. Remember: if you face any difficulties in the future, inform me at once!”
Pei Qian was only satisfied after repeating these instructions several times.
This brat, Huang Sibo… they were finally able to find a project that would incur huge losses; how dare he still try to minimize expenses?!
Pei Qian spent so much time and effort nurturing the company, and yet people were still pulling stunts like these. He was an old employee of Tengda, no less!
This made Boss Pei feel very exhausted.
[1] This is a Chinese documentary television series.
[2] This is a nickname for slow sleeper trains in China.
Chapter 157 - Where is the Huge Fish-Catching Internet Cafe I Put Here?
Huang Sibo left. Pei Qian then distributed the fruits that Huang Sibo gave him, washed an apple, and then returned to his office to munch on it.
In the blink of an eye, the month was almost over. From the way the current situation looked, it looked like he would be alright.
As long as he did not make profits out of nowhere, he would probably have no problem incurring a small loss.
Pei Qian began to consider what other company benefits he could give to his employees.
Now that Fish-Catching Internet Cafe was opening more branches, there were more and more employees under Boss Pei. As long as he distributed some benefits to each of them, he would be able to incur huge expenses.
Whether the projects reaped profits or not was out of his control to a certain extent. However, Pei Qian could try his best to spend as much money as possible.
As he munched on his apple, he used Qiandu to search for ’employee benefits’.
The search results showed several companies that allegedly distributed ‘great company benefits’. Pei Qian clicked on them and immediately scrunched up his nose.
This was it?
Forget it. Since there was no precedent, he would have to depend on his own imagination.
He continued searching. As he searched, he felt exhaustion taking over. He pushed his chair back into a horizontal position, adjusted his little blanket, and then took a nap.
A long time later…
When Pei Qian woke up, the sun was setting. Pei Qian suddenly felt his right eyelid twitching.
“En? What’s the matter?”
Pei Qian rubbed his right eye, but it continued to twitch.
“If the left eyelid twitches, it’s good luck; if the right eyelid twitches, it’s bad luck. That’s not a good sign.”
Pei Qian quickly stood up and walked two rounds around his office. Then, he looked out his window, at the faraway scenery.
Before long, his right eyelid stopped twitching.
“Phew, it was just a fake scare. I must have been watching too many dramas lately; my eyes might just be tired.”
Pei Qian threw the core of his apple into his rubbish bin, sat back down on his chair, and prepared to watch more dramas again.
At that moment, his left eyelid began twitching! What’s more, even after rubbing his left eye, it continued twitching!
“If the left eyelid twitches, it’s good luck; if the right eyelid twitches, it’s bad luck. That’s alright. That’s a good sign. It’s better than having my right eyelid twitch.
“En?”
“Wait, that’s not right…”
If the left eyelid twitched, it’s good luck! That’s a sign that he was going to gain something!
Pei Qian jumped out of his chair. He could not sit still anymore. He suddenly realized that there was indeed a problem! Other people might take their left eyelid twitching as a good sign. After all, who did not want to have good luck and get rich?
However, to Pei Qian, whether it was his left eyelid or right eyelid that was twitching, it made no difference! They were both bad omens!
“There’s a problem. There must be a problem somewhere. A few days ago, I felt uneasy. Even during my afternoon naps, I dreamed that Fish-Catching Internet Cafe began reaping profits. Today, both my eyelids twitched. That must be a bad sign.”
Pei Qian straightened his back and walked briskly around his own office. “I must find where the problem is…”
Pei Qian ran through all the various projects in his mind. At last, he focused on Fish-Catching Internet Cafe. The two new branches had just opened for business. He guessed that they would not be making much money just yet.
The only possibility was the flagship store!
Pei Qian thought harder and recalled that it had been more than a week since he last visited Fish-Catching Internet Cafe’s flagship store. At that thought, he immediately walked out the door.
It was already evening time. Many people were packing up and getting ready to leave.
Pei Qian immediately called out to Assistant Xin. “Send me to Fish-Catching Internet Cafe tonight.”
“Yes, Boss Pei.” Assistant Xin did not hesitate. After all, she could be sure that she would get overtime pay without her even reminding Boss Pei about it.
…
At Fish-Catching Internet Cafe’s flagship store…
It was seven in the evening. More and more people were arriving at the entrance. A few waiters were moving tables to the empty land outside the internet cafe.
This place used to be a restaurant. There was a lot of space outside, which doubled up as parking. However, since they turned it into an internet cafe, there was no need for parking space. That was why the space remained empty until now.
However, today, a few waiters filled that empty space up with beautiful tables and chairs that came with umbrellas attached. It was evening on a summer day. The entire place resembled a little seaside town in Europe.
Of course, given the climate here, the comfort level in Jingzhou could not be compared to that in Europe. Nevertheless, in terms of style alone, the place did not look bad.
The bar area in the internet cafe was almost full. There were many people seated outside. People seated outside could see the stage through the glass panels. What’s more, Ma Yang purposely placed speakers outside so that the customers there could hear Chen Lei sing.
Seeing that more and more customers were coming, a long-absent grin spread across Ma Yang’s face.
“Look. This way, the problem of the lack of seats is solved, isn’t it?” Ma Yang looked very happy with the situation before him.
Zhang Yuan held up his big thumb and said, “En, Brother Ma, that was a good idea indeed!”
As more and more of Chen Lei’s fans arrived, the seats inside were being filled up. Ma
Yang naturally thought of creating more seats outside.
It was summer, and it was a common practice among many restaurants to create seating areas outdoors. Of course, Zhang Yuan thought about this, too. However, since there was an opportunity to suck up to Ma Yang, there was nothing to complain about.
A trendy-looking young lady walked up to the bar counter and took out two red notes. “Three glasses of Aurora; one to drink, and the other two for Chen Lei. As for the note… en, just write: ‘The fangirl who will love Chen Lei forever’!”
The bartender immediately mixed the Aurora Jungle-Juice like a pro. Soon, a glass of Aurora appeared in the lady’s hand.
“Remember, give the drink to Chen Lei the moment he gets on stage.” After reminding the bartender one more time, the lady left the bar counter.
Ma Yang watched this exchange, and the grin on his face deepened.
Zhang Yuan praised him again. “If this carries on, perhaps we will be able to report to Boss Pei that our losses have turned into profit!”
Ma Yang became more arrogant. “Hmph, I must prove that I am better than that Huang Sibo!”
This idea was not thought of by Ma Yang or Zhang Yuan. Instead, they accidentally stumbled upon it when a customer was ‘rewarding’ Chen Lei.
Based on Ma Yang’s original proposal—for each drink a customer ordered, half of the profit would go to Chen Lei. This idea really took off. It became very popular among the customers, and everyone showed great support!
A few rich fangirls even began to flirt using this method.
One of them wanted to order a second glass of cocktail but found that she could not finish it. She asked the bartender if she could forego the second cup and give Chen Lei the profits directly.
The bartender did not dare to make the call so he reported this to the branch manager. The branch manager then reported this to Ma Yang and Zhang Yuan.
Ma Yang immediately answered, “No problem!”
A glass of cocktail was sold for sixty yuan. If customers did not want to drink it but only wanted to reward Chen Lei with it, they could give Chen Lei thirty yuan and keep the thirty yuan as the internet cafe’s revenue!
This way, fans would be able to show their sincerity, and Chen Lei and the internet cafe would both benefit. Wouldn’t that be a win-win situation?
That explained what was happening today. Many people ordered two drinks at a go; one for themselves and the other to be given to Chen Lei.
Ma Yang sat at the bar counter, holding his own cup of cocktail and feeling delighted. From the way things were going, they could turn their losses into profits next month.
As the saying went: if everyone was good, all would be good.
I can bring Chen Lei to the two other Fish-Catching Internet Cafes; he could take turns to sing at each of them. Once the crowd is drawn to those Fish-Catching Internet Cafes, I would be halfway to success!
After turning the third internet cafe’s losses into profit, I would inform Pei Qian of the good news. That would be a pleasant surprise for him for sure!
Then, I—Ma Yang—will hold a higher position in Brother Qian’s eyes than Huang Sibo, Bao Xu, Lu Mingliang, and all the others! I want to prove to everyone that I—Ma Yang—am the real valuable worker in Tengda!
At that thought, a blissful grin spread across Ma Yang’s face.
…
Outside Fish-Catching Internet Cafe, Pei Qian alighted from the car and went into shock.
Who am I? Where am I?
Where’s my Fish-Catching Internet Cafe? Where is the huge, cold, and deserted Fish-Catching Internet Cafe that I put here?!
What is this open-air restaurant about?!
Who did this?!
Chapter 158 - Boss Pei was Very Angry
Many people were at the door of Fish-Catching Internet Cafe; Ma Yang and Zhang Yuan were very busy inside and didn’t even notice Pei Qian standing outside. Pei Qian brought Assistant Xin along as he observed silently.
One server recognized Boss Pei and just wanted to go and inform Ma Yang when Pei Qian halted him and did a ‘hush’ sign. That server immediately got the hint.
“Boss Pei wanted to give Boss Ma a surprise, right? Alright!”
The server pretended not to have noticed as he continued to busy himself. Pei Qian felt as if he was about to have a heart seizure as he spun around outside the internet cafe. The entrance of the internet cafe was packed with tables and chairs and sunshades; they all looked rather fancy and classy.
Ma Yang evidently wanted to give a European small town beach feel using this set-up.
However, in Pei Qian’s eyes, if the Fish-Catching Internet Cafe became so popular; was it still his original Fish-Catching Internet Cafe?
He was extremely pained, and his heart ached! He just intended to head inside when a note from a guitar rang from outside.
A singer was about to start singing.
People weren’t that excited outside; after all, they were just passersby here to listen to songs; and they weren’t that crazed. However, within Fish-Catching Internet Cafe, especially in the pub area; thunderous applause and cheers broke out. The atmosphere was rather boisterous! If someone didn’t know, they would think that someone was holding a concert here!
Pei Qian and Assistant Xin mingled with the crowd as they headed inside. They realized the seats at the bar were almost all filled; many were still standing around.
Many people headed straight for the bar counter, and Pei Qian watched as they took out two red notes[1]. However, they only took one drink and left without even asking for change.
He then looked on the stage.
Chen Lei was playing his guitar and singing folk songs. Although he was a little shy facing the crowd and he was blushing, he wasn’t experiencing that much of stage fright. Perhaps after he sang and entered into a trance, he also started to forget about his stage fright.
On the nondescript wall nearby hung a very beautiful panel. It was showing which table, which customer had ordered what drink and how much commission had been given to Chen Lei. Following that was also some well-wishing message for him.
Row after row of well-wishes and congratulatory messages ran one after another, making the atmosphere even more boisterous.
Pei Qian’s mouth twitched heavily. He had never seen Chen Lei before. However, by the looks of it, he could guess that this was the internet cafe’s new resident singer. However, with regard to everything else going on, Pei Qian felt it was a little hard for him to accept.
However, Boss Pei was after all a smart person. After he thought for a moment, he was able to guess what had been going on.
What a nice Fish-Catching Internet Cafe—it has now become Fish-Catching TV? There’s no difference between giving gifts and money and buying drinks, right?
If I came two days later, wouldn’t this place really turn around and start making profits?
Seeing as the panel kept on flashing number after number, Pei Qian was extremely shocked and jittery. He even saw someone continuously gifting ten cocktails; that was an instant 500-yuan reward.
Pei Qian wouldn’t feel that this person was silly and wasting their money. After all, he knew that ballers on live-streams could be even more crazed than this; these were but peanuts to the true ballers.
Furthermore, Chen Lei was really good at singing and was worth that much.
Pei Qian really wanted to ask now: who had dug out such a talented singer? Who?! Although Pei Qian felt a little helpless, he also was internally feeling a little lucky.
Fortunately, I had been worrying and stewing these few days that something was not right; and I discovered this early.
If I had forgotten about this matter and kept on assuming that Fish-Catching Internet Cafe would make three hundred thousand in losses monthly, I would definitely puke out blood during the next settlement!
The crux was that such a huge thing had happened; no one had bothered to report to me!
Xin Hailu was also observing as she sighed
with emotion internally.
This was not bad; it was still so deserted and empty last week. Within a week, Fish-Catching Internet Cafe had become so lively and happening? If this continued, perhaps all the shops in the neighborhood would benefit from this human traffic; a virtuous cycle would be formed!
Furthermore, it was strange that this singer was just singing and the atmosphere wasn’t that boisterous as a normal bar, that everyone was forking out so much money. The sales from drinks tonight would definitely be very good.
Boss Pei had been so nonchalant about Fish-Catching Internet Cafe’s losses previously; could he have predicted this would happen?
Assistant Xin continued to follow behind Pei Qian silently, not asking anything. After all, such things happening have already become commonplace for her.
Pei Qian silently squeezed through the crowd as he tried to make his way towards Ma Yang who was talking loudly and animatedly.
…
Ma Yang was just discussing with Zhang Yuan the future plans for the internet cafe.
“I feel that this flagship store can still be improved! We can’t open the curtain now; this is a pity. I intend to find some workers to redo the curtains. It would be best if people outside could also feel the atmosphere in here…”
Ma Yang was very confident now and felt as if his flair for business had never been so well-displayed as it was now.
Zhang Yuan listened seriously as he suddenly looked behind Ma Yang and saw Pei Qian whose face had been half-hidden by the fluorescent light.
“Boss Pei! You’re here,” Zhang Yuan hurriedly greeted.
Ma Yang was stunned as he turned as well and saw Pei Qian’s pale face. “Eh, Brother Qian? What a pity; we had wanted to give you a surprise, but you have found out beforehand.”
Pei Qian’s lips twitched slightly; it was indeed Old Ma who was stirring things up!
“So many changes had taken place; why didn’t you mention them to me?” Pei Qian felt that he had been cheated and by someone he felt was his best brother as well. He felt rather tired.
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