“Boss Pei, I’ll report the current status of Fish-Catching Take-Out.
“At present, Food Harmony has been launched in several flagship stores. Our reputation is good, but the profit gap is relatively large. It seems like… it is not easy to promote it.
“As for the branches, Fish-Catching Take-Out’s branches had been opened in several representative first- to third-tier cities, which gives us a base in most cities.
“From current data, Fish-Catching Take-Out’s popularity is positively correlated with the size of the city. In other words, we are most popular in first-tier cities while we fare the worst in third-tier cities.
“Moreover, Fish-Catching Take-Out in the same area seems to be competing for resources.”
Pei Qian looked at the information and nodded frequently.
Good news!
Food Harmony’s destiny was set. They had a good reputation, but they would definitely not make money.
Moreover, what made Pei Qian happier was the situation with Fish-Catching Take-Out.
Previously, Pei Qian allowed Rui Yuchen to spend money openly, and Rui Yuchen did not disappoint—opening Fish-Catching Take-Out branches all across the country.
The result this time could be seen as setting their base everywhere.
Pei Qian felt that the information basically met his expectations. The healthy, exquisite, and high-value meals like Fish-Catching Take-Out were definitely more popular in larger cities.
That was because there were a large number of white-collar workers and young people in the cities. They did not like to cook yet had a demand for healthy food. At the same time, they were not so sensitive towards prices so they would definitely welcome Fish-Catching Take-Out.
The young in third-tier cities were originally lesser. Their overall income was relatively lower, and it was not very possible for them to eat Fish-Catching Take-Out.
At the same time, a city with more Fish-Catching Take-Out would squeeze and grab resources from each other.
Because there were only so many customers ordering Fish-Catching Take-Out, both stores would be vying with each other for business that no one could dream of making more money.
Rui Yuchen said, “According to the contents of this report, I think we should focus on the super first-tier and first-tier cities as the main goal. At the same time, spread the storefronts and let them bloom as much as possible!”
Pei Qian was deep in thought.
Focus on the super first-tier cities? Make them bloom?
Obviously not, that would definitely make money.
Pei Qian thought for a while and said. “Open all new branches in second- and third-tier cities in Handong Province, especially Jingzhou—fill them all up!”
Rui Yuchen: “Huh?”
He felt slightly light-headed.
Boss Pei was not listening to the information that I sorted so seriously into a report?
Or did Boss Pei have something up his sleeve?
Not possible, no matter what he had up his sleeve, Boss Pei could not go up against the market, right?
Pei Qian continued. “Yes, and since the reputation of Food Harmony is good, seize the opportunity to promote it. Open them in all the Fish-Catching Internet Cafes!
“Sell them at the current price; never give any discounts, understood?”
Rui Yuchen gasped, wanting to speak but stopped.
What else could he say since Boss Pei had said everything…?
He could only nod. “Alright Boss Pei, I’ll work on it now.”
Pei Qian happily put on a blanket and began his drama marathon after Rui Yuchen left. No one else came to ask for instructions even after he had lunch.
Pei Qian was very happy; this seemed to be a good sign.
He was about to leave work happily when he received a message from Zhang Yuan.
“Boss Pei, we have spent all the budget. Our players are all discouraged and want to go back; can we return?”
Pei Qian was stunned.
Spent all their budget? The players were all discouraged?
Good news was coming one after another!
Zhang Yuan might not have said why the players were discouraged, but that was very easy to guess!
The training schedule of the DGE club was so unreasonable, without much time to train in games with their daily fitness regime. It was normal to be beaten by professional players from other clubs!
Obviously because they had been beaten too harshly, their morale totally collapsed and missed home.
Most welcome!
And it had to be a warm welcome!
Pei Qian counted on his fingers. It would be the 20th soon, which could be arranged directly at Ming Yun Private Kitchen. He would call on the Deposit Fitness branch manager together to celebrate.
I want to send everyone a wrong message:
Even if we were beaten in our mock competitions—even if the gym was losing money, Boss Pei would not care and still invite us to enjoy ourselves!
The DGE club and Deposit Fitness would always be stable as long as everyone could understand this point!
The more Pei Qian thought about, the more perfect this plan was. He replied immediately, “Okay, come back! I’m booking a room for us in the nameless restaurant to welcome the team home!”
…
…
July 20th, Wednesday…
DGE E-Sports Club…
The team members dragged their suitcases and returned to their own rooms.
“Ah, finally home!”
“The scenery here is still much better.”
“I haven’t been working out these few days. I feel fat coming out on me; shall we go to the gym after dinner?”
“Hehe, don’t crack the wise. I have to undergo additional training until next month…”
There was only one word to describe the feeling Huang Wang had after he lied on his own bed: comfy!
If he were to use one word to summarize their experience outside for two weeks, it would be ‘disappointment’!
Everyone was excited at the start of the journey. They would not need to gym and become as tired as a dog when outside.
They could visit the veteran clubs and meet their idols when they were younger. They would be able to play against the master and have hearty mock competitions.
They could go to the big cities to experience the world and experience the prosperity of the big cities…
In short, everyone was filled with expectations at the beginning of the trip!
However, everything changed when they returned to Jingzhou. Their fitness habit was broken, and they felt uncomfortable all over.
The veteran clubs were so shabby; they were basically a large internet cafe. Their images were completely collapsed.
The players in the other clubs were so noob that they could not even bear to look straight at them in the eyes. They were only evenly matched when Coach Ma was on the team. The trouble Coach Ma gave to them was even bigger than the five opponents opposite them; the mock competition was unbearable.
Shanghai was nothing more than that. There was no Fish-Catching Internet Cafe, no Fish-Catching Take-Out… particularly unable to adapt.
In fact, everyone wanted to return a long time ago because it really did not make sense to play mock competition with these clubs; they were too amateur!
However, Zhang Yuan said they had to use up the budget.
Therefore, everyone could only follow the original plan and run over all the other clubs one by one. The results were disappointing; none of them was their match!
They thought that the H4 club, whom they played against on the first day, was just the beginning. However, they were the best.
The other clubs were even more inferior to them!
They really did not know how to wrap it up if it was not because of Coach Ma.
The DGE club stayed with each club for three days and was abused for three days. After three days, they felt that the members of the clubs were nearly on the brink of co
llapse so they hurriedly changed to another.
They finally spent their budget and returned to Jingzhou.
Huang Wang put his suitcases away and returned to the training room.
Zhang Yuan had just packed his things and came out.
“Brother Zhang! Is Boss Pei treating us for dinner today? It seems to be the first time since the establishment of our club? Does that mean Boss Pei is going to celebrate for us?” Huang Wang asked.
Zhang Yuan thought for a while. “Probably. Oh, yes, everyone please take note. Don’t take too much credit for yourself. Boss Pei hates such people.
“Boss Pei should be very clear about everyone’s strengths. Our winning streak was probably within his expectations. Do not mention it repeatedly; it will definitely arouse Boss Pei’s disgust.”
“Ah?” Huang Wang was stunned for a moment. “Boss Pei doesn’t like people who take credit? Then, what should we do?”
Zhang Yuan pondered. “Everyone, bury your heads in your meal tonight. If Boss Pei comes for a toast, you have to respond enthusiastically. However, don’t get carried away and brag about yourself. Be humble and low-key.
“This is a bit of insight I have after working with Boss Pei for so long.”
Chapter 591
In the afternoon, at Ming Yun Private Kitchen…
Pei Qian and the personal trainers of Deposit Fitness, such as Guo Licheng, arrived one after the other.
The members of the DGE club arrived a little later. That was because they were nearer so they left their place a little later.
Pei Qian expressed his satisfaction with the small increase in Guo Licheng’s muscles, praising him publicly.
“Very good, Coach Guo is everyone’s role model. Everyone has to learn from Coach Guo. Whoever did not have an obvious change in your muscle mass during the next meal gathering will be considered for replacement, understand?”
The branch managers nodded in unison, “Understood!”
Pei Qian was satisfied with this result. He knew from Guo Licheng’s muscles that he must have spent all his time working out, not running the operations of the gym.
Very good, that was exactly what Boss Pei wanted!
Guo Licheng was a little embarrassed to be praised. He had not been able to turn Deposit Fitness profitable as the person-in-charge; even the flagship store was still far from it.
Everyone had been making appointments before coming for exercise, which had well dispersed the passenger flow with the Deposit Fitness application developed previously. The problem of crowded during peak periods had been solved.
However, it was not helpful for the popularity of the gym itself; it even had a certain inhibitory effect.
The other functions of the Deposit Fitness application were not bad, but the key was there were just so many users. No matter how good the other functions were, someone had to use it for it to show its usefulness, right?
Therefore, Guo Licheng had always felt a little ashamed towards the developers of the ‘Deposit Fitness’ application. There were not enough users for such good application functions.
Fortunately, Yu Pingan from ‘Top Student, Come Quick’ application came to him some time ago, hoping to integrate with Deposit Fitness—which solved the user volume problem. Guo Licheng was more than willing to do it.
Guo Licheng thought that it was probably all arranged by Boss Pei so he did not question. He said nothing at all.
Guo Licheng did not particularly understand the purpose of today’s dinner.
Celebration?
It was definitely not possible. Deposit Fitness was still making a loss; what was there to celebrate?
Boost their morale and let the branch managers continue their efforts?
Well, that was possible.
It was just that no one dared ask when Boss Pei did not say anything. A department that made losses all year around was embarrassed to speak on such an occasion after all.
Pei Qian checked the time; the members of the DGE Esports Club should be coming soon. He felt that it was necessary to address the branch managers with him.
“There’s a small problem; everyone, please take note.”
“We’re having dinner with DGE Esports Club members today. On the one hand, it is to welcome them home and also to comfort them. As a newly established e-sports club, our DGE Esports Club must have suffered miserable loss and are experiencing rock bottom now, having challenged veteran clubs.
“They need understanding and comfort. No one should take the initiative to bring up anything related to performance. Eat more, toast more, and chat more about fitness, understand?”
The branch managers nodded in unison, “Understood!”
That just made everyone even more puzzled now. Why the hell should they chat more about fitness?
Only very few people, like Guo Licheng who was more familiar with Coach Yaling, knew about the ‘scientific training method’ adopted by the DGE Esports Club.
Pei Qian was very satisfied with these ‘yes men’ branch managers. These people were basically carved out of the same model as Guo Licheng. They love fitness and have simple minds. They could not come up with all kinds of new tricks to backstab Boss Pei.
Moreover, they were very easy to supervise. He only needed to observe the changes in their muscles every time they met to determine if they were training seriously. There should not be many opportunities for them to mess things up as long as they trained hard.
The DGE club arrived after he explained.
“Brother Qian!”
Ma Yang took the lead.
Pei Qian went over and hugged him warmly. He then looked at the player following behind him. Every one of them… looked very calm.
They might not look disappointed, but they did not look happy as well. Well, obviously the frustration of being beaten had diminished a lot after arriving home, but their mood was still depressed.
Food was the best therapy at such a time!
“Come, everyone, take your seat; let’s be prepared for a feast!”
Pei Qian did not engage in courtesy. Gathering for a meal meant everyone should eat as much as they wanted.
Ma Yang was very excited. “Brother Qian, I want to sit next to you! Let me tell you, I’m the team’s strategist this time and played a very important role! If you don’t believe it, you can ask these clubs. There wouldn’t be anyone who does not know of Coach Ma of the DGE club!”
Huang Wang was startled and looked at Zhang Yuan subconsciously.
That look meant this: ‘Didn’t we agree about not getting credit? What was it with Coach Ma?’
Zhang Yuan shook his head helplessly. Boss Ma did not need to follow these unspoken rules. Don’t ask, he blocked an atomic bomb for the boss previously.
Of course, others should never learn from that.
Pei Qian was filled with respect, hearing Old Ma’s words. He found the reason why DGE was abused!
No wonder all the team members were now withdrawn. How could not be with you as a strategist? They had no possibility of winning in the first place; wouldn’t they be beaten in 15 minutes flat if you were to command?
You did play an important role—don’t doubt it; it must be a negative influence!
It was not all surprising to be famous all over. The other clubs had probably never encountered such a noob commander. After these battles, Coach Ma must have become synonymous with ‘blind commander’, spreading all over the world…
Pei Qian was even more certain now that the DGE players were being bullied hard outside. Only Old Ma could continue smiling in such a situation.
Pei Qian patted Ma Yang’s shoulders. “There is no need to elaborate Old Ma, I understand!
“Alright, this matter is already over, there is no need to mention it anymore. Hurry eat, your favorite big lobster is on!”
Ma Yang was still very excited. He wanted to tell Pei Qian about how he played a core role in the brilliant performance in the mock competitions. However, his attention was immed
iately attracted away by the big lobster on the table.
Bragging was not as important as eating!
Ma Yang immediately forgot all about it as he picked up the big lobster to gnaw on.
Pei Qian sighed. Lucky for me that my reaction was fast!
Otherwise, how awkward would it be if Old Ma started telling tales of the DGE club’s humiliating defeat in the mock competitions!
How could Zhang Yuan and the other players’ faces be able to hang on in the presence of so many people? This meal would go bad, too!
Luckily, Old Ma had now shut up so no one should be mentioning it again insensitively. Everyone could now eat with peace of mind.
Zhang Yuan looked at Huang Wang and the others with a ‘see, I told you so’ expression.
The players understood now.
Boss Pei really did not like people who asked for credits!
See how Boss Ma, who had booked an atomic bomb, for Boss Pei was interrupted by Boss Pei when he just showed his intention to claim credit.
Therefore, they better buried their heads to eat and shut up!
Dishes were being sent up one by one. Everyone started digging in without reservations. These were really rare delicacies.
Someone asked Coach Yaling’s recent moves and realized that she had become the coach for the esports players’ club. She was in charge of their physical fitness, which could not help but elicit surprise from the others.
No wonder Boss Pei said that they could chat more about fitness with these esports players!
The esports players looked on at the opposite row of personal trainers with envy.
Look at those muscles! Boss Pei got us to have a meal with these personal trainers obviously to tell us not to become complacent and work harder for those muscles!
We were still very far from that!
They had to say that working out was something that one could become addicted to.
It was difficult to maintain it at first because the results were slow. However, after a while, the muscles of the body would enter a period of rapid growth. The body would start changing shape.
That was similar to savings. When people were earning little money, they did not care about savings and surplus. They spent money casually. However, once their savings increased, they would care more about their expenses because they would really enjoy seeing an increase in saving figures.
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