Chapter 1 The Netfish Cybercafe

Pei Qian sat in the cafe area of ​​the Netfish Cybercafe, sipping the dry Martini that Zhang Yuan had just mixed. Although he didn't have a stubbled chin, his eyes were melancholic enough.

In the empty cybercafe, President Pei was like a firefly in the night, so outstanding.

Zhang Yuan and Ma Yang hid behind the counter, discussing in hushed voices.

"What should we do? President Pei isn't here to interrogate us, is he? Brother Ma, you have a close relationship with President Pei, you have to find a way to smooth things over..."

Ma Yang's long face was grave, but with a hint of determination.

"Don't worry, I'll take full responsibility for this!"

"Even if you can't stay at the cybercafe, with my friendship with Qian-ge, I'll definitely find a way to place you somewhere else."

"Hey, but speaking of which, we really are a bit of a disgrace this time. It's one thing for Huang Si Bo to produce a wildly popular short drama, but even Lu Mingliang's game is a huge hit! Only we are still losing money like crazy, it's frustrating!"

Zhang Yuan grumbled softly, "Brother Ma, not to pass the buck, but we've tried some things, but President Pei didn't agree."

Ma Yang shook his head, "You can't think like that."

"Qian-ge thinks more long-term. The methods we thought of, discounts and promotions, would damage the brand image, so Qian-ge didn't agree."

"In the end, it's still because we lack the ability to come up with good ideas that would achieve profitability while adhering to Qian-ge's overall direction."

"Look at Huang Si Bo. Although I've always thought he's not that much better than me, he really handled this well."

"Qian-ge doesn't allow them to take on low-end endorsements that would damage their reputation, so he powered through two seasons of videos out of sheer passion, and then signed an exclusive broadcast deal with Ellie Island for the third season, and made all the money back at once!"

"That's where we fall short."

Zhang Yuan nodded, "Brother Ma, you're right. Thinking about it that way, I am indeed to blame."

"Hey, don't say that, the responsibility is mainly mine." Ma Yang shook his head, "You've been helping me here with all your heart, taking on three roles, and sometimes even worrying about the cybercafe's finances. It's been hard."

Zhang Yuan felt a little sad. It seemed that these good days of earning three salaries were about to end...

The cybercafe is losing money like crazy, President Pei will definitely want to rectify it. There will be personnel adjustments and accountability, Ma Yang has such a close relationship with President Pei, he definitely won't be moved, so I'll have to take the blame...

Ma Yang and Zhang Yuan were both uneasy and anxious.

Finally, Ma Yang gritted his teeth and walked towards Pei Qian.

...

Pei Qian sipped his drink while looking at the street scene outside the glass curtain wall.

In his vision, the system screen appeared.

[Wealth Conversion System]

[Host: Pei Qian]

[Surplus Conversion Ratio 100:1, Loss Conversion Ratio 1:1]

[Next Settlement Time: 8 days later]

[System Funds: 2.74 million (↑1.74 million)]

[Personal Assets: 46857.6]

[Special Task for This Cycle: The company must own at least one physical store, located in a bustling area or near a university. (Completed)]

[Reward for Completing Special Task: An additional 10% increase in the original conversion amount.]

So sad!

The money that should have been spent has already been spent, and the employees have been given benefits until their hands are soft. There's really no other way.

Watching the system funds increase steadily, Pei Qian could only be slaughtered like a salted fish.

But thinking on the bright side, now that the system funds increase even a little, more personal property can be converted.

100:1, in a situation where it is impossible to lose money, it can be considered better than nothing...

Pei Qian could only comfort himself in this way.

Just as he was feeling melancholic, Ma Yang came over.

"Qian-ge, I know this has been difficult for you, but you entrusted the cybercafe to me, and the loss is my responsibility! I can resign to take responsibility, but Zhang Yuan is a truly capable person, you must continue to use him!"

Ma Yang looked grief-stricken, somewhat like an ancient defeated general requesting to die.

Pei Qian was stunned.

Resign to take responsibility?

What is he doing?

No way!

I can only rely on you now!

Pei Qian quickly put down his drink and pulled over a chair, "Sit down, Old Ma, why would you think of resigning?"

Ma Yang was very embarrassed, "Qian-ge, the poor management of the cybercafe is mainly my responsibility, I know that in my heart. Although we have a close relationship, the company's rules can't be abandoned because of me, please criticize me!"

Pei Qian quickly raised his hand to stop him.

"Old Ma, what are you talking about? You know I've always valued you the most!"

"I want to praise you!"

"You and Zhang Yuan are watching over the cybercafe for me. Of all the people, I'm most relieved about you, and you really didn't let me down!"

"Let me tell you, although the cybercafe is currently in a state of loss, your position in the company is much more important than the other two projects!"

"I want to especially and properly praise you!"

Ma Yang was a little confused. He looked closely at Pei Qian's expression, and it didn't seem like he was speaking insincerely.

He was sincere!

Pei Qian was afraid that Ma Yang would misunderstand, so he quickly beckoned to Zhang Yuan and called him over as well.

These two are the only remaining pillars of support!

Originally, Pei Qian thought that Bao Xu and Huang Si Bo could be put to great use, but now he discovered that these two were more坑爹 than the other! (pit-filling/disappointing sons)

Sure enough, in the end, he still had to rely on his brothers!

Pei Qian thought about it carefully, and since he obtained the system and founded Tengda, he had never successfully lost money!

The only exception was the Netfish Cybercafe, and the Netfish Cybercafe was able to successfully lose money, mainly thanks to Ma Yang!

The others were too good at misinterpreting Pei Qian's intentions.

Huang Si Bo and Bao Xu misinterpreted Pei Qian's original intention, and turned the originally guaranteed-to-flop "Sea Fortress" into "CrossFire". Who could withstand that?

But Ma Yang was different. He carefully implemented whatever Pei Qian said. This was the most valuable quality that Pei Qian needed now!

Pei Qian's eyes were full of enthusiasm as he looked at Ma Yang.

This was the seed that had been preserved!

Originally, Pei Qian had been a little desperate about losing money, but the Netfish Cybercafe reignited his hopes.

One Netfish Cybercafe successfully lost 300,000 yuan per month, and the initial cost of three million yuan could not be recovered.

So what about ten Netfish Cybercafes?

As long as he opened chain stores like crazy, wouldn't he be able to lose as much as he wanted?

Therefore, Pei Qian's eyes had never been so warm as he looked at Ma Yang.

Ma Yang and Zhang Yuan obviously felt this as well.

President Pei's eyes... are not right.

It seems that he doesn't blame us, but instead praises us?

Both of them were a little confused.

But the hearts that had been hanging in the air had indeed been put down.

Pei Qian looked at Ma Yang, and then at Zhang Yuan, "You guys have done very well, you must continue to maintain it!"

"Next month, I want to open Netfish Cybercafe branches in other parts of Jingzhou City."

"Get ready, the previous ones were just previews, the real hard battle is still to come!"