There would be no shops, no hotels, and no restaurants. People would not be able to eat, shop, or find a place to stay. Transport was even worse. Trains aside, even public buses didn’t come here.
How could the haunted house attract tourists?! Were tourists expected to drive over and stand around while waiting for their turn to enter the haunted house?
That would be inappropriate. Now that Boss Pei was adding another forty million yuan to the project, they could finally start working on the surrounding facilities!
Pei Qian shook his head, speechless. “You’re wrong. The forty million yuan was set aside purely for Thriller Hostel.
“Spend it all on the projects, and don’t spend a single cent on the surrounding facilities. What’s more, you shouldn’t delay the completion of the project. I’m going to emphasize this again: this is very important, and you have to do a good job, understand?” Chen Kangtuo was confused.
Sh*t, I’ve guessed wrongly…
Boss Pei was indeed Boss Pei. Nobody could guess his train of thought.
They were supposed to spend all forty million yuan on Thriller Hostel and not delay the completion of the project. That meant they could not add any more new segments. They could only improve the details of the existing projects.
Still… this seemed very excessive! The price-quality ratio of building surrounding facilities would be much better! Could Boss Pei have deeper intentions? Chen Kangtuo instinctively found this a waste of the money, but he dared not ask too many questions. Instead, he decided to obediently follow Boss Pei’s instructions. “Alright, Boss Pei! i’ll do that!”
Pei Qian nodded, satisfied. Then, he stood up and said, “Go ahead and go back to work. A group of people will come and survey the area soon. I’ll be bringing them around. Don’t bother about us at all. Even if you see anything strange, don’t ask any questions, understand?”
Chen Kangtuo and Hao Qiong nodded. “Yes!”
Pei Qian happily left the office, boarded his car, and waited.
Boss Li had said that he would lead a group of investors to invest in this project. He was going to survey the area today, and Pei Qian was supposed to host them.
Pei Qian could have left the hosting to Chen Kangtuo, but he could not relax.
What if Chen Kangtuo wasn’t careful and inadvertently revealed something? Boss Li and the others might find out that Pei Qian had invested a huge sum of money into this project. Then, their desire to have a ‘slice of the pie’ would just intensify.
After that, Pei Qian would have difficulty shaking them off.
Pei Qian had made up his mind. Once Boss Li and the others arrived, he would bring them around the deserted and old industrial zones so they could see just how desolate this area was!
It would be best if they changed their minds on the spot.
Otherwise, Pei Qian would have to come up with something else.
Less than half an hour later, several high-end commercial cars stopped at the entrance of the old industrial zone.
Pei Qian immediately went to warmly welcome Boss Li and the other investors.
“Boss Pei! I’m sorry to make you wait. We weren’t familiar with the surroundings, and so it took us a bit longer to get here. I’m really sorry about that.”
Li Shi alighted from his car and expressed his sincere apologies to Pei Qian first.
The other investors alighted one by one and greeted Boss Pei as well. Some drove here on their own while others were chauffeured here. However, all the chauffeurs remained in their cars and did not follow the group.
Obviously, Boss Li had not been giving excuses. He had been stating facts. Of course, everyone would be unfamiliar with the surroundings here!
Two investors frowned the moment they alighted from their cars. This was more deserted than they had expected.
Everyone had heard about Jingzhou’s old industrial zones, but none of them had actually visited this place. Since there had not been any business to be done here, there had simply been no point.
Now that they were here, they were extremely disappointed. The situation was much worse than they had imagined!
Li Shi had indeed said that Boss Pei was building a haunted house in a deserted and desolate industrial zone. At the time, they had thought that Boss Li was exaggerating. Now, they knew that he was not!
Saying that this place was deserted and desolate was an understatement! All in all, everyone was crestfallen. What’s more, it showed on their faces.
Pei Qian noticed this and celebrated inwardly.
That’s great! That’s the expression I was hoping for! I already told you that this is a deserted place, and it won’t succeed, but none of you believed me! Do you believe me now?
Of course, only two people looked obviously displeased. Pei Qian knew he had to work harder.
He would lead the group of investors around the old industrial zone, so that they could properly survey the environment and situation. Then, they would know that only the entrance could be described as ‘quite desolate and deserted’.
The further they got, the worse the situation would become!
I’ve told you the truth, but you refused to back off. Now, I’ll show you the truth, and see if you would finally learn your lesson.
“Come with me, everyone. I’ll briefly show you the state of the old industrial zone and how Thriller Hostel looks like now.”
With that, Pei Qian led the group of investors further into the industrial zone.
Thirty minutes later, everyone walked out from the deepest corners of the industrial zone and then stopped outside one of the factory buildings that was being renovated for Thriller Hostel.
Two slightly older investors were already panting from all the walking. Li Shi, too, rubbed his legs as beads of sweat dripped down his face.
Pei Qian was only twenty years old. This little bit of walking was nothing to him. However, this group of investors had obviously lived a pampered life. Half an hour of walking around had caused them to feel weak.
Even then, Pei Qian was surprised that all of them could keep up and that none of them had given up and left in anger.
Still, everyone did not look very happy.
After walking around the industrial zone, they realized that they had been imagining things when they had thought the industrial zone was deserted and desolate earlier. Having seen the inner parts of the industrial zone, they finally understood how deserted and desolate the place really was!
The entrance was deserted, but at least the floor was clean. As they walked further in, they discovered piles of rubbish, vandalism on the walls, and patches of tall weeds. All of those things pointed to one single fact. The deserted entrance was the most presentable part of the entire industrial zone.
Pei Qian smiled, feeling like he had accomplished half of his goal. He only needed to show everyone how bad the industrial zone really looked so they could imagine what would become of their money if they invested in this project.
Pei Qian was sure that some of them would change their minds on the spot!
He cleared his throat. “Everyone, let me emphasize this again. This investment will cause you loss.”
He tried to look as sincere and genuine as possible. He could tell that two or three investors would back out soon.
They had been interested in investing because they had seen how successful Boss Pei’s previous projects were. However, after seeing the industrial zone’s true state, they suddenly realized that Boss Pei’s previous achievements were meaningless, no matter how impressive they were.
Making this place popular would be as difficult as turning stone into gold!
Still, everyone was too embarrassed to say that they were not interested in investing in the project anymore. Instead, they looked at one another, waiting for someone to speak up. Pei Qian was not in a hurry; he waited patiently. He was sure that someone would speak up after weighing the amount of money they had.
However, Li Shi seemed to have caught on. He dec
isively took a step forward, and then scanned the group. “What’s the matter? We talked about this before. Is someone really going to back out?!”.
His voice sounded firm and determined.
Pei Qian, “…?”
He looked at Li Shi, evidently confused.
Li Shi gave Pei Qian a firm nod and then
d back to the other investors. “That’s silly! Boss Pei was testing how determined you are!
“Before this, all of you were saying that you wouldn’t invest in any other project but Boss Pei’s. Now, after walking a little and seeing superficial things, you’ve changed your mind? You’re so easily swayed!
“Just think about the investors who didn’t trust Boss Pei when we invested in “Top Student, Come Quick’ back then. What has happened to them?!
“Do you want to part ways with a promising project, just like them?”
On hearing Li Shi’s words, those who had looked like they wanted to back out earlier became determined once again. They exchanged meaningful looks and fell into deep thought.
Then, Li Shi turned to Pei Qian and grinned. It was almost as if he was saying, “Don’t worry, nobody will back out with me around!”
Pei Qian, “…”
He was exhausted.
Chapter 464 - Kind Warnings Wasted on Those who Deserved to Die
Chapter 464 Kind Warnings Wasted on Those who Deserved to Die
Pei Qian felt like he had run into a pack of wild dogs on the streets. He had narrowly escaped their lethal fangs by scaring them into retreating, and then some prankster decided to throw a bone at him.
Obviously, Boss Li was the prankster. As the saying went, one had to see it to believe it. Many investors had thought about backing out when they saw how desolate and deserted the place was. Yet, Boss Li’s words turned them around!
A few investors exchanged looks as if infected by Boss Li’s determined tone. For some reason, they thought that he was making sense.
Before this, everyone had agreed to invest money into this project. That was one way of putting it. It’s just that, to businessmen only concerned about profit, oral promises were not promises until they were written on paper.
However, what really bought them over had been Boss Li’s last few sentences.
Boss Pei was testing how determined they were!
Just think about ‘Top Student, Come Quick’! Everyone recalled that the same thing had happened with ‘Top Student, Come Quick’ back then. Boss Pei kept persuading them to back off, causing many investors to be shaken.
Yet, what happened in the end? They almost dropped dead from the poison!
All the investors present had remained in the ‘Top Student, Come Quick’ project. In fact, some of them had even invested more funds into it. In the end, they all reaped huge profits.
At a time like that, investors were having a hard time! Ordinary investments did not lead to such high payouts, and risky investments could cause them to lose everything by fraud.
Yet, investing in Boss Pei’s project had given all of them a taste of the good life!
Thus, everyone became doubtful because of Boss Pei’s attempt at dissuading them and the subtle smile on his face. Boss Pei seemed to be playing hard to get!
Obviously, he wanted to filter out the best of this group of investors as well. Only those who absolutely trusted him and insisted on investing in him would share his profits!
The easily swayed investors giving up halfway would forever be excluded.
Just look at the investors who had not chosen to invest in ‘Top Student, Come Quick’; none of them were here, right?
It was not that they had not wanted to come. In fact, they could hardly wait to invest everything they had into Boss Pei’s projects now. However, that didn’t mean anything. They couldn’t do so anymore!
Everyone had only been roped into Boss Pei’s projects thanks to their connection with Boss Li. If they backed out now and bailed on Boss Li, would Boss Li continue to rope them in for profitable projects in the future?
Many people were queuing to do business with Boss Pei. Would they miss one or two investors?
Thus, after hearing Boss Li’s words, many of them understood.
Before this, all of them had earned a considerable sum from Boss Pei’s project. Even if they incurred losses this time, they would have hopes of making a comeback as long as they kept following Boss Pei.
On the other hand, if they chose not to invest, they would never get to do business with Boss Pei again whether this project succeeded or not!
Wasn’t the choice clear?
Soon, an investor—who had clearly shown his desire to back out earlier-somberly said, “Boss Li, what are you talking about? Are we the type to leave you in the lurch?” Another investor chimed in. “That’s right! Boss Li, you’re underestimating us. We already said we would invest in the project together. Whoever dares to eat their words would never get to do business with us again!”
The rest of the investors began to nod and mumble in approval. “Yeah, who isn’t happy with this project? It’s obviously very promising! Even if all of you disperse, I’ll invest in it for sure!
“Boss Pei, rest assured. We don’t have any intention of dispersing! To prove my determination, I’ll invest another one million
yuan!”
Everyone began to act like they were on the same page. Even the investors, who thought little of this project, tried hard to control their expressions and emotions-just to act confident and nonchalant.
Pei Qian, “…”
What’s going on?! I was so close to success. Yet, a single speech from Boss Li made a mess of everything!
Pei Qian refused to give up. He turned to the weakest-looking investor. “Brother, don’t listen to them! They’re trying to cheat you!”
The investor was visibly shocked. At once, he looked self-righteous and indignant. “Don’t worry, Boss Pei! I won’t be affected by them! I’m genuinely confident in your project!”
Pei Qian turned to another weak-looking investor. However, before he could say anything, the man soberly said, “Boss Pei, my investment has nothing to do with them either. I’m purely making a negligible contribution to the development of Jingzhou’s economy!”
To express their loyalty, the rest of the investors also said things like ‘we just want to reciprocate the goodwill’, ‘it doesn’t matter if we incur losses’, and ‘we trust Boss Pei’.
It seemed better when Pei Qian had kept quiet. Each time he asked a question, it looked more like he was testing them.
Everyone patted their chests in confidence. The only thing lacking was their solemn oaths.
Pei Qian was completely speechless by now.
Finished!
Anything he said now would be a waste of effort. It was almost as if everyone could understand what Boss Pei was saying, but nobody could understand his true intentions.
Pei Qian could not help but heave a long sigh. My kind warnings are wasted on those who deserved to die!
Since you’re sure that you want to incur losses with me, I have no other choice.
Pei Qian reluctantly nodded. “Alright.
“You’ve already seen the deserted industrial zone anyway. If you want to make ducks and drakes of your money with me, I won’t stop you. Do whatever you want to do. If you’re busy, you can go ahead. I’m leaving.”
Pei Qian turned around and started to walk back towards his car.
“Ai, Boss Pei, hold on!”
The group of investors, led by Boss Li, quickly stopped Boss Pei. In front of everyone, Li Shi cleared his throat. “Hehe, Boss Pei, everyone knows that you’re very busy.
“However…
“You’ve been in charge of the planning for Thriller Hostel. Don’t you think you should tell us what you have planned for this haunted house?
“We don’t understand this project very well. There are so many of us, and each of us has a different idea. What if one ends up building one type of hostel whi
le another ends up building another type of restaurant? Everything will look like a mess in the end.”
Everyone nodded. “Yes, Boss Li is right!”
“That’s what we think, too.”
“Boss Pei, please take a few minutes of your time to tell us about the project!” Everyone obviously knew that, even though Boss Pei was here, they could not mindlessly invest money into the project. Furthermore, this was a large-scale entertainment project, and everyone was investing a huge sum of money. Of course, they needed to plan things carefully!
On top of that, none of the investors could afford to make this desolate place lively. All of them were counting on Boss Pei.
Boss Pei had to give them a clear plan, so that they could relax and invest! Of course, they could not directly say this either. Even though it was true, they could not afford to look like they were just trying to cozy up to him because he was powerful.
Thus, Boss Li found an excuse and hid this concern under the guise of ‘working together’. That way, not only would they be allowed to invest in Boss Pei’s promising project, but everyone would also look good in front of Boss Pei. Boss Li killed two birds with one stone.
Pei Qian turned around and shook his head profusely. “No, I cannot interfere with this project at all!”
Pei Qian had realized that every time he sat back to observe, everything would change. Normally, things went well when he did not come up with a plan. However, whenever he thought of something, he would strangely bring life into any project.
Thus, Pei Qian had decided that, no matter how well this group praised him, he could not afford to offer any advice. He would let them struggle and fight and let the project turn out however it was meant to. He would not interfere with the project at all!
The investors stared at him, confused.
Hasn’t Boss Pei already accepted our investment? If so, why is he still so reluctant? Can’t he just give us a bit of information?
as
Li Shi’s expression did not change. He had now become used to Boss Pei’s confusing and perplexing behavior. Even though Boss Pei was not explaining himself, Li Shi was sure that there was a deeper reason behind what he was doing
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