Ma Yang was just about to start another game.
Pei Qian quickly stopped him. “Wait! I have some important matters to discuss with you.”
“Oh, alright.” Ma Yang reluctantly exited Gods Rising
Pei Qian had come to Fish-Catching Internet Cafe today to brief Ma Yang about his plans to start an investment firm. However, when he arrived, he felt the urge to play online games with Ma Yang for a while.
In the end, he completely lost the drive! Although Pei Qian was frustrated about losing, he knew he had to look at things objectively. Negatively put, Pei Qian had lost the game. However, positively put, Pei Qian had confirmed that Old Ma was still as reliable as ever!
Both of them moved to the resting area, and Pei Qian called Zhang Yuan over as well.
Zhang Yuan had been kept busy by ROF’s business.
After 1024 Digital Day, ROF’s prices reverted to normal. However, since word of the brand had already spread, many locals of Jingzhou continued to place orders.
Thus, Zhang Yuan had been kept busy while Ma Yang remained free.
Pei Qian faced Zhang Yuan first. “You will be the CEO of Fish-Catching Internet Cafe from now on. You will be solely in charge of the internet cafes and ROF.”
Zhang Yuan was stunned.
I’m the CEO now?
Isn’t that a little rash?
What’s going to happen to Boss Ma?
Ma Yang’s huge face immediately drained of color.
“Brother Qian, I… I just didn’t play well in the previous game. You don’t have to fire me, right? I haven’t achieved much, but I’ve worked hard…”
Ma Yang had thought that Pei Qian was upset about being played in the previous game.
Pei Qian did not know to laugh or to cry. “What are you talking about?! I have another task for you, and it’s very important!
“Tengda is going to start an investment firm soon. I’m thinking that you’re the most suitable person to act as CEO for this investment firm!”
Ma Yang was absolutely stunned. His expression turned from bitterness to confusion, to pure joy and excitement. “Are you sure, Brother Qian?! I… I have always wanted to be an angel investor! Don’t worry, Brother Qian. This job suits me to a tee. I won’t let you down for sure!” Zhang Yuan watched this exchange in a daze. At that moment, he could not understand how Boss Pei decided which person would get the job.
Could he say that Boss Pei decided these things based on employees’ merits? Yet, Boss Ma did not look cut out for running an investment firm.
Zhang Yuan had always thought that putting Boss Ma in charge of Fish-Catching Internet Cafe was ridiculous enough. Running an investment firm would be far more difficult than managing internet cafes. Was he up to the task?
Could he say that Boss Pei decided these things based on favoritism? Yet, that did not seem true either.
Zhang Yuan was not related to Boss Pei in any way, but he had been promoted as well. He had taken over Ma Yang’s job as the CEO of Fish-Catching Internet Cafe.
Boss Pei did not assign this role to other people who were closer to him. Thus, Zhang Yuan could not say that he decided these things based on favoritism.
Zhang Yuan was left thoroughly confused. All he knew was that Boss Pei’s ways were extremely complex.
Perhaps Boss Ma had merits that ordinary people could not appreciate…
Pei Qian turned to Zhang Yuan and said, “Alright, that’s all. Go back to work.”
Zhang Yuan nodded. “Alright, Boss Pei. I’ll work hard to bring Fish-Catching Internet Cafe to greater heights!”
Pei Qian was speechless. “…”
Once Zhang Yuan was gone, Pei Qian cleared his throat and began briefing Ma Yang about the investment firm. Pei Qian had already decided not to find an assistant for Ma Yang this time. This was because Pei Qian had realized that Ma Yang would often agree with whoever spoke to him last.
Every time Boss Pei thought he had successfully influenced Ma Yang’s decision, he would turn around and realize that someone else had changed his mind again.
Thus, he had to avoid hiring an assistant for Ma Yang at all costs. At the very least, he had to avoid hiring an assistant who would give Ma Yang random ideas.
He had to find someone who lacked independent thought. That way, Ma Yang would surely have to do things according to Pei Qian’s suggestions.
Of course, all of these would be settled later.
For now, the aim was to brainwash Ma Yang anew.
“Our investment firm will be different from other investment firms.”
Ma Yang listened very intently. “Hmm, what do you mean?”
Pei Qian said, “You should know how other investment firms operate, right?”
Nodding excitedly, Ma Yang answered, “Of course, I do! Investment firms give money to companies that they think would be profitable. After that, they would get a cut of the profits that those companies earn!”
Pei Qian was speechless. “…”
That was a common understanding, but it was not the answer that Boss Pei wanted to hear.
“Your understanding is too superficial! “Does Tengda lack money? Doesn’t the company earn enough from games and the internet cafes?”
Boss Pei said these things through gritted teeth.
Ma Yang answered, “Er… Brother Qian, you mean…?”
Pei Qian tried to sound genuine as he said, “I’m not saying that our investment firm cannot make money, but making money will only be one of our many goals.
“Investing means putting our spare cash in places where it should be.”
“What do you mean by ‘places where it should be’?”
“Are companies with the potential to be profitable places where our money should be? Of course not!
“Many companies that truly seek to do good for society close down because of the lack of funds. Partners brought together by their common dream would be forced to go their separate ways. How pitiful is that?!
“That’s why our investment firm will be called Dream Realization Ventures. Our aim will not be to generate profit, but to realize the dreams of small companies-whose very dreams are at risk of being dashed!”
Chapter 319 - I Need an Investment Consultant Who Would Not Provide Any Investment Advice
Chapter 319 I Need an Investment Consultant Who Would Not Provide Any Investment Advice
Ma Yang looked slightly puzzled. “Er… why does it sound like we’ll be doing charity?”
Pei Qian quickly shook his head and explained, “This isn’t charity!
“Tengda will do charity in the future, but this firm is meant to be a legitimate venture capital firm. The difference is that we would never receive any money in return for doing charity.
“On the other hand, while we could incur losses by investing, we could also profit. Who would be able to tell?
“All I’m saying is, don’t prioritize generating profit. Our priority should be realizing dreams, understand?
“If we end up incurring losses, it’ll be alright. After all, providing venture capital is risky. I’m sure everyone appreciates that there will be risks involved.”
Ma Yang was beginning to understand. “Well… Brother Qian, does that mean that we can invest in any dream that needs to be realized?”
Pei Qian nodded profusely. “That’s right! Old Ma, I love that you’re so fast in comprehending me!”
Ma Yang became even more excited.
At the beginning, he had thought that investment firms were where money bred more money.
However, after hearing Pei Qian’s description, Ma Yang realized something else. Not only could investment firms generate profit, but they could also help businesses-on the brink of insolvency-to realize their dreams.
Thinking about it this way made Ma Yang feel like an angel in white, responsible for saving the lives of others.
At once, he felt much better about himself!
“Brother Qian, when do we start investing? I can barely wait!�
�� Unable to sit still for much longer, Ma Yang immediately tried to jump to his feet.
However, Pei Qian quickly held him down. “Don’t be too eager.
“In order to do a good job, we must have the best tools. I will look for a satisfactory assistant for you in the next few days.”
Investing was complex and highly technical. Ordinary venture capital firms normally took many steps before deciding to invest in a particular company.
They had to shortlist the investment proposals provided by various entrepreneurs, review them, consider the investment projects from various angles, interview the ventures’ managers, understand businesses’ history, and engage in complicated negotiations and valuations…
Ma Yang could do none of these.
At most, he could read the investment proposals and decide how much to invest in each venture. However, he knew nothing about the concrete operations behind the scenes.
Of course, this was also why Pei Qian chose him to take over this responsibility.
However, in order for the venture capital firm to operate as per normal, he needed someone to take care of the miscellaneous tasks.
Even if Pei Qian did not hire an assistant for Ma Yang, Ma Yang would look for someone to help him once he realized that he could not handle everything on his own. Then, Pei Qian might end up with an unsalvageable mess.
Thus, Pei Qian decided to take the initiative!
He decided to hire a knowledgeable and experienced assistant for Ma Yang, who would do all the work but not interfere in Ma Yang’s decisions.
It would be best if the assistant did not even answer Ma Yang’s questions.
Pei Qian asked, “As a future venture capitalist, do you have any expectations of your job?”
Ma Yang confidently patted his chest and said, “Don’t worry, Brother Qian! I know it all!
“Many businesses will hand their proposals to me. In turn, I will transfer them all to professionals, who would then brief me on which ones had potential and which ones didn’t.
“I would filter out the scammers first! Then, I would ask them to point out to me the ventures that had the most potential and then invest heavily in those!”
Pei Qian was speechless.”…”
Now that you said that, I don’t want to hand the investment firm over to you anymore.
Ai, Old Ma… when will you finally understand your role?
Pei Qian shook his head. “You cannot do that. You cannot allow your assistant to shortlist the proposals. You must do it on your own!”
Ma Yang looked confused. “Huh? Why? I know nothing about this.” Pei Qian said solemnly, “You might not understand the figures, but you definitely understand what a heart with a dream looks like!
“Think about it. How would small companies with lofty dreams have the energy to do up their investment proposals?
“Dreams are often up in the air and filled with emotions. How can one write them in detail and reduce them to cold, hard numbers so that they look realistic and pragmatic?
“If someone else filters the proposals for you, they would have to filter out all the small companies with lofty dreams, which really need the money!
“That’s why you have to do this job on your own!
“Any well-knit, carefully-worded proposal with detailed and reliable figures is devoid of dreams! The beautifully-worded proposals with missing figures and infectious energy are the ones with real dreams! Dream Realization Ventures would only be investing in dreams if we invest in the latter type of ventures!
“You must remember this. Hidden inside every unreliable investment proposal is an even bigger dream!”
A realization dawned on Ma Yang, causing him to nod. “So that’s the case. That makes
sense!”
Seeing that Ma Yang was becoming persuaded, Pei Qian kept working hard. “You must remember that the name of our investment firm would be Dream Realization Ventures.
“Whether we make money or not would not be important, but we must invest in dreams!
“We can relax on every other standard, but not on realizing dreams. We must insist never to invest in projects that do not contain dreams, understand?”
Ma Yang nodded profusely. “I understand!”
Pei Qian could tell from Ma Yang’s expression that his brainwashing attempt had succeeded. As long as no one tried to correct Ma Yang’s understanding, the latter would probably hold onto this mindset for a long time.
“Brother Qian, I’m going into seclusion for now, then. I’m going to buy some books on investment and try to get a good grasp of the relevant knowledge!”
Ma Yang looked very excited. Pei Qian was just about to stop him, but when he recalled how Ma Yang had performed even after reading technical books on game design, he immediately relaxed.
He decided to allow Old Ma to work hard. The harder he worked, the quicker they would fail…
When he returned to Tengda, Pei Qian approached Assistant Xin.
“Find me an investment consultant who has a good grasp of investment processes.
“Don’t stipulate any other requirements except this: no matter what the boss asks, he is not to give any investment advice or influence the boss’ thought process.”
Assistant Xin’s eyes filled with confusion.
“Find an investment consultant who will not provide investment advice? Then… what do you want a ‘consultant’ for?”
Pei Qian answered, “The consultant will just be in charge of administrative tasks.”
Assistant Xin pondered for a moment and said, “We don’t need to look exclusively for investment consultants, then. We can look for analysts or assistants with experience working in investment firms.”
Pei Qian nodded. “That works!”
Boss Pei could not wish for anything more.
In true Assistant Xin fashion, she did not ask any more questions. “Alright, I’ll find someone now.”
Pei Qian did not care if the person Assistant Xin found would be an analyst, an investment assistant, or a director. As long as he did not provide Ma Yang with any advice, everything would be fine.
In the evening…
Hao Qiong had just gotten off work and was preparing to go home. He felt slightly fuzzy. He had spent the entire day at work playing horror games.
Director Lin even pulled down the curtains so that everyone could properly experience the horror games in broad daylight. The darkness added to the atmosphere and immersiveness.
All the employees at Shang Yang Games put on headphones and watched the big screen, fully immersing themselves in the horror games.
They ended up screaming constantly. What’s more, the screams happened in waves. Every time someone got frightened and screamed, the people around the person would get frightened and scream as well.
It was almost infectious. The atmosphere was insane.
Hao Qiong had been terrified, but he had no other choice. Director Lin had given orders. Since their next project was going to be a horror game, every single employee had to play horror games diligently. That would ensure that their horror game would turn out frightening Just thinking about being tortured similarly over the next few days exhausted Hao Qiong.
Hao Qiong left the office and walked home. He had rented an apartment near the company. It was only a ten-minute walk away and very convenient for him.
As he walked, Hao Qiong heard someone behind him cough.
“Ah!”
Hao Qiong was terrified, thinking that he had just bumped into a ghost.
However, when he turned around, he realized that he had frightened the other person as well. Both of them jumped in the air, looking at each other in horror.
The person who had coughed behind Hao Qiong was a working adult in his thirties. At that moment, he looked every bit as scared as Hao Qiong.
Confused, Hao Qiong asked, “What are you doing?!”
The working adult looked even more puzzled. “…I only coughed. Why did you have to overreact?”
Hao Qiong fell silent and realized that he was right. He had played too many horror games at work and ended up overreacting.
“I’m sorry, I got frightened. I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
Hao Qiong apologized and left.
Suddenly, the working adult stopped him. “Er… Brother, please hold on. Actually, I came looking for you because I had a serious matter to discuss with you.
“Let me introduce myself. I work in the human resources department of Hengtu Games. My name is Wu Bin.
“Brother, are you intending to switch companies?”
Hao Qiong blinked and then realized that this man was a head-hunter. Although he was having a tough time playing horror games at work now, Hao Yun also received a high salary, huge bonuses, and feasts at Ming Yun Private Kitchen. With all these in mind, he shook his head decisively and said, “No.”
Hao Qiong started to walk away, but Wu Bin quickly stopped him again.
“Brother! Brother, please hold on.
“You don’t have to turn me down so quickly. We can go to a nearby coffee shop for a chat. As they say—even if the transaction falls through, we can remain friends. We’re working in the same industry anyway. Let’s get to know each other.”
Hao Qiong still wanted to leave, but he was a weak-willed man. Unable to fend himself against Wu Bin’s smooth tongue, he reluctantly agreed to go to a nearby coffee shop to chat with Wu Bin.
Both of them took their seats.
As Wu Bin wiped the perspiration from his forehead, he inwardly rejoiced about successfully bluffing someone into having coffee with him after working so hard.
Hao Qiong was not the first employee that Wu Bin had found.
Before this, Wu Bin had tried emailing, calling, and other means of contacting other employees in Tengda Games and Shang Yang Games.
However, no one paid any attention to him.
No one returned his emails, and everyone hung up on him after he introduced himself.
However, Wu Bin had a mission to accomplish. He was so helpless that he had to resort to the primitive way of standing outside the company’s entrance to wait!
There were higher chances of success in poaching people if they interacted face-to-face.
Losing Money to Be a Tycoon c1-883 Page 186