Ma Yang was confused, “Brother Qian, I wanted to only give you good news and not the bad! I felt that the good news wasn’t good enough yet and didn’t want to alarm you!”
Pei Qian was speechless. “…”
What did he mean by only giving good news and not the bad! If all my employees were like you, I’d be finished!
However, Pei Qian couldn’t bring himself to speak so harshly to Ma Yang. After all, Ma Yang’s intentions had been good; he wanted to increase the internet cafe’s profits. If Pei Qian really went on to criticize Ma Yang for spoiling Fish-Catching Internet Cafe’s reputation and set-up, that might be a little inappropriate.
Regardless, Old Ma had really used his brains this time to help Pei Qian make money. However, why did Pei Qian still feel a little heartache?
Could it be that my most loyal pillar of support was going to leave me as well?
“Since Boss Pei had already found out; please give some guidance. Could you look at the internet cafe now and if anything else needed to be changed?” Zhang Yuan smiled slightly and asked.
Pei Qian’s mouth twitched, “Everything… looks good. However… changes still can be made. This panel is a little old-fashioned. Although your intention is good and wanted to let everyone see how much they are giving and to write some well-wishes to fulfill everyone’s desires.
“However, as this panel keeps on flashing, it actually ruins the atmosphere; also, stimulating customers to spend more and more is not in-line with our internet cafe’s style.
“Hence, I feel that taking the panel off would be better. Customers are here to drink wine, and that’s already very good; we shouldn’t make them compare their expenses.”
Pei Qian looked very wise and insightful.
Ma Yang looked at Zhang Yuan as the latter thought for a moment and said, “Indeed, what Boss Pei says makes sense! Previously, I had thought this panel was a little distasteful; however, I couldn’t say what was distasteful about it.
“Now, it seems as if it is indeed as Boss Pei’s has said; it does not fit in with our internet cafe’s style!”
Ma Yang still looked a little reluctant, “In that case… let’s take it down.”
Pei Qian felt a little more assured now. Without that panel, everyone’s excitement at spending more and giving more… would be lessened, right?
“Also, the tables and chairs outside, they are too cramped together! It isn’t stylish. You guys can take a few of them away.”
“En… that’s true.” Ma Yang nodded as he felt that made a little sense.
Pei Qian said seriously, “Old Ma, you’re doing your best to help the Fish-Catching Internet Cafe make profits; I am very grateful. However, you must remember that for Fish-Catching Internet Cafe, profits are not a priority. The number-one priority is to create an image for Tengda!”
“Alright, Brother Qian. I understand!” Ma Yang nodded vigorously, “Rest assured that our hearts are aligned; even if you don’t say anything, I’ll understand what you want!”
Hehe, you know my foot.
Pei Qian silently complained as he walked away.
[1] These red notes were worth 100 yuan apiece
Chapter 159 - Taking a Drastic Measure to Solve a Problem
Pei Qian was rather pained by what he had seen. It was alright if Fish-Catching Internet Cafe made a bit of profit. The crux was this ‘bit’ of profits could possibly put all of Pei Qian’s efforts this cycle to waste!
This cycle was only two months long; a month had already passed.
Pei Qian had long roughly calculated the profits and losses for this cycle. Taking into account any sudden shopping sprees or spending, he would probably be able to make a few hundreds of thousands of losses at settlement.
Among this, all the Fish-Catching Internet Cafes were to make more than a million in losses; this was a very important part of his plan!
If the Fish-Catching Internet Cafes started to make money or recouped the initial investments, Pei Qian might have more than a million in additional income that he wouldn’t be able to spend by the next settlement!
Although a million-odd yuan didn’t seem like much, it could very likely change the originally calculated losses into profits; this was the crux. Wouldn’t that be putting all his efforts to waste and all his other projects had been for nothing?
Pei Qian’s original intention was to create a giant hodgepodge, to have a shop called ‘Fish-Catching Internet Cafe’ that had a pub area, a book area, a small theater, a dining place, etc. All of these would revolve around an internet cafe.
At the end of the day, he wanted Fish-Catching Internet Cafe to become an unprofitable internet cafe. However, he could never have expected that the peripheral pub area had surpassed the internet cafe area; it had become popular because of a resident singer!
Just like this, Fish-Catching Internet Cafe had become Fish-Catching Pub; how could he let that happen?
This was going completely against Pei Qian’s original intentions!
What should he do?
Take away all the tables and chairs outside the internet cafe? Not allow any more commissions for the singer from the drinks sales? Or perhaps to completely remove the resident singer?
They were not very feasible; these acts were not appropriate, and there was no justification for them.
Pei Qian had asked Ma Yang to take away the panel and reduce the number of tables and chairs outside; those were still explainable. After all, he wanted Fish-Catching Internet Cafe to retain its style and character.
However, if he took any further steps, that would no longer be reasonable. If he completely removed the tables and chairs, where would the customers outside sit?
Allowing commissions from drinks sales; that gave the internet cafe revenue while provided motivation for the resident singer to sing to his best. What reason could he use to get rid of this system?
All these actions would be rather hard to justify and would raise suspicions. He might also receive a warning from the system.
Furthermore, these were not the crux of the issue.
If Pei Qian wanted to change all of these, he had to take extreme drastic measures! So what if he removed the tables and chairs and took away the commissions system? These people were here to hear Chen Lei sing!
If they didn’t have a place to sit, they would stand and listen; this problem would still not be resolved.
Hence, to solve this problem, Pei Qian had to get rid of Chen Lei!
“I wonder whether this lad has any dreams that I could help him fulfill.”
…
It was already 10 PM; the performance had just ended. Chen Lei bowed and left the stage as many in the audience were still clapping and cheering.
Ma Yang, Zhang Yuan, and the servers started to send the customers out.
Pei Qian immediately pulled Chen Lei to a quiet spot in the internet cafe and sat him down. Chen Lei had not seen Pei Qian before. After hearing Pei Qian introduce himself, he immediately knew that Pei Qian was the ‘Boss Pei’ that Ma Yang always talked about. He felt a little intimidated and constrained.
Pei Qian casually asked Chen Lei a few questions and knew that he had not continued schooling after graduating from high school. He was rather introverted, even to the point of being a little autistic.
Chen Lei had been obsessed with music in his home and had incidentally walked by Fish-Catching Internet Cafe one day, heard someone singing, and then plucked up the courage to audition to be the resident singer.
When his family members knew he had found a job, they had been very happy and even told him to do a good job and be amicable with his colleagues.
“You have been in Jingzhou your entire life; have you not thought of seeing the world? If you really want to pursue your dream for music, you should go to Shanghai or Beijing; those places would be perfect.”
Pei Qian’s words were rather bewitching.
Chen Lei was stunned for a moment as he immediately said, “Of course, I want to! In
my dreams, I even go to Shanghai and Beijing to take a look! I have told people this before that I would become a singer one day. However, no one believed in me. I know that Jingzhou is too small a place, and I can’t fulfill my ambition.
“However, Shanghai and Beijing are very far from home; my parents wouldn’t agree. Furthermore, I heard that Beijing and Shanghai’s cost of living is rather high; I probably won’t be able to afford it.”
Pei Qian was internally elated.
Since you have a dream, then we can now talk things through!
Boss Pei was the best at helping others fulfill their dreams!
Pei Qian smiled slightly as he nodded, “You underestimate yourself too much. You don’t even know how good you are at singing! At your level, once you start singing, it would be like a lethal weapon. Do you know how many girls would love to hear you sing!
“Hence, you shouldn’t belittle yourself. In a bigger city, you would have better prospects. When you make it big and then return here to Jingzhou, you can prove to your classmates and friends that looked down on you; you will make them envious!”
Pei Qian’s words had their intended effect. He could see Chen Lei’s eyes shining with light.
An introverted person whose looks weren’t that outstanding, a ‘freak’ who had stopped school after high school; Chen Lei was someone who had had to endure pressure coming nonstop from all aspects of his life.
Whether it was his parents, classmates, or his classmate’s parents; they were probably always using Chen Lei as a bad example of what not to become.
So what if he was good at singing? In a second-tier city like Jingzhou, there was no suitable platform for him to showcase his talents.
Chen Lei was definitely someone who craved recognition.
Hence, hearing what Pei Qian had described, Chen Lei was evidently influenced and touched. He had long wanted to go to a big city and take a look, broaden his horizons, and try his luck in the vast world out there. He hoped that his talent could be recognized by more people in the future.
It seemed as if Boss Pei wanted to provide some material assistance?
Chen Lei’s only consideration now was money. As he earned so much commission here in the internet cafe and he had many fans, this was Chen Lei’s comfort zone. He didn’t want to get out of it.
When he reached Beijing or Shanghai—besides the fact that he had to restart in a foreign environment, Chen Lei would also not be able to afford accommodations and the cost of living in these places.
After all, he wouldn’t have an income anymore.
Hence, Pei Qian definitely must help Chen Lei to get rid of this last stumbling block so that he could go in peace.
Pei Qian considered for a while and said, “If you wish to head to a big city like Shanghai to pursue your music career and dreams, I can help you with that.
“Tengda’s Fei Huang Workspace is now based in Shanghai. I can transfer you to Fei Huang Workspace there, and you’d actually don’t have to do anything. They would help you arrange your food and accommodations, and you won’t actually have to work. You can relax and pursue your music dreams; what do you think of this plan?”
On one hand was his current enjoyable life; on the other was a new and distant place.
Chen Lei actually didn’t hesitate much. “Boss Pei, I… I am willing to go!”
…
The next day…
At night…
The crowd was considerable. However, everyone noticed that Chen Lei seemed to be a little troubled.
“Outside the pavilion / on the ancient road / the fresh grass so green stretches into the sky…
“To ask my friend when he will be back after we part ways this time…”
Chen Lei was as per normal, stringing each stanza together; he was engrossed in the song and didn’t utter any other words.
However, his fans in the audience could hear something was amiss in his singing.
“This is weird; why are all the songs tonight about farewells?”
“Indeed, I’m feeling a little down…”
“I’ll gift another two glasses of Northern Lights whiskey.”
“Speaking of which, why is the display panel gone?”
“I don’t know. However, it doesn’t affect me. I’m here mainly to support Chen Lei, not to posture.”
Everyone drank and continued to chatter idly like usual. However, for some reason, they felt the atmosphere today was not right.
Chapter 160 - There is Really no Need for That!
After finishing another song, Chen Lei did not continue singing the next song. He cleared his throat on the microphone and said a slightly emotional speech, “I want to announce something today. From tomorrow onwards, I will no longer be singing here anymore.”
There was instantly a commotion below the stage.
“It was not because of what you all are thinking. I like this place a lot, and I really enjoyed singing for you guys. Boss Ma, who is the manager of this Fish-Catching Internet Cafe, wants me to stay here as well. Moreover, you guys have been so loving by showering me with lots of gifts. I am very touched by that.
“The reason why I’m leaving is because of the big boss of the Fish-Catching Internet Cafe. He said that he enjoys my songs a lot and wants to send me to Shanghai to pursue my music dreams. He will also provide for my food and accommodation in the course of that.
“I enjoy singing for all of you, but at the same time, I cherish this opportunity a lot. I hope that I will be able to leave Jingzhou City and explore Shanghai…
“After all, this is my dream…”
As Chen Lei spoke, tears welled up in his eyes unwittingly.
“So that was the case. That’s great news!”
“Although I can’t bear for you to leave, I will still fully support your decision to chase after your dreams!”
“If things didn’t go your way over in Shanghai, you must come back! This will always be your home!”
“Boohoo! I’m so sad… I’ll gift you another ten glasses of Northern Lights whiskey. Hope you have a smooth sailing life ahead…”
Sorrow seemed to fill the atmosphere below the stage. Many people were sending Chen Lei off with wine at the bar counter. Some ladies were sobbing while drying their tears with a tissue.
Pei Qian stood at the corner silently and was feeling a little sentimental.
I am such a ‘huge villain’. He thought sarcastically…
At a secluded corner on the second floor, Ma Yang was so heartbroken that he was about to cry.
My money tree…
Zhang Yuan was beside him. He handed Ma Yang some tissue while consoling him, “Boss Ma, this is Chen Lei’s dream. We should be supportive; it’s not a big deal. We can always hire another permanent singer…”
However, Ma Yang was totally not consoled by what he said. His entire face was scrunched up in misery.
“I… of course, I will definitely support Chen Lei in pursuing his dreams…
“However, I just hoped that the internet cafe could stop suffering losses and profit instead…
“Forget it. I should respect Chen Lei’s decision…”
Although Ma Yang could not tell if a song was good or bad, he understood that Chen Lei’s singing skills were far above that of other permanent singers from these few days of observation. It was impossible for the new permanent singer to be as popular as Chen Lei.
Actually, the signs of profit for the Fish-Catching Internet Cafe were all because of Chen Lei. His songs were good, and he attracted a lot of regulars to the internet cafe. There were people buying drinks for him every night. That generated a lot of additional revenue for the internet cafe.
If Chen Lei really left, the abilities of the other singers would at most reach Zhang Yuan’s standard. It was evident how the situation then would turn out to be.
Pei Qian went upstairs quietly. He handed a pack of tissue to Ma Yang and said, “Old Ma, it’s fine. Chen Lei is really talented. It would be a waste of his t
alent if he stayed at the fish-catching internet cafe. If you really think that you are the person who discovered his talents, you should wish him luck.”
Ma Yang blew his nose and replied, “Brother Qian, I’m not sad because of this. The main reason why I’m so sad is that the fish-catching internet cafe finally had a chance to earn money for you. However, the opportunity has now flown away. I am upset for you…”
Pei Qian was very touched. Look! Only my brothers would be so concerned for me!
However, it was not always good news that Ma Yang had such a strong sense of responsibility.
The good thing was that this should merely be a coincidence. Ma Yang was lucky to have unexpectedly met Chen Lei. Otherwise, there would not be so many issues cropping up.
Therefore, ultimately, this brother of his was still very trustworthy!
Pei Qian patted Ma Yang’s shoulders and said, “Old Ma, I’ve told you countless times that you should not always be fixated on making money as the head of the fish-catching internet cafe! The most important thing for you is to help me maintain this window to showcase Tengda’s corporate image. Do you understand?
“Let’s go and send Chen Lei off.”
On the first floor of the fish-catching internet cafe, Chen Lei’s performance was about to end. However, most of the audience was still unwilling to leave. Chen Lei had already sung a few songs for the encore.
In the end, the crowd accompanied Chen Lei to the entrance of the internet cafe. Many female audiences had their make-up smudged from their tears. They made it seem as though they were about to be parted by death.
Pei Qian mumbled in his mind, “When will I get such a treatment…”
Ma Yang was also sobbing. He walked towards Chen Lei, bade him goodbye, and wished him a smooth journey ahead.
Chen Lei’s eyes were red originally. When he saw Ma Yang’s actions, he could not hold it in anymore. He was beyond thankful to Ma Yang.
Pei Qian was a little troubled. He knew that the reason behind why Ma Yang cried was that he had lost his money tree and not because of how deep his feelings for Chen Lei were.
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