Losing Money to Be a Tycoon

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.

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