Losing Money to Be a Tycoon

The second person to be interviewed was Bao Xu.

Xia Jiang had already roughly understood the structure. Thus, she felt more comfortable during this interview.

“You used to be what most would call an ‘internet addict’. You basically lived in internet cafes, getting through life muddle-headed without any real aim. Is that right?”

“How did you end up in Tengda, then?” “Your first job was as a concept designer for a game. This is a critical role because the concept design is the soul of every game. How do you think you got that position back then?”

“Tengda holds selections for ‘outstanding employees’ regularly. Although you’ve been placed second, you still got a paid one-month holiday. How do you feel about this?”

“In fact, you won second place for ‘outstanding employee’ twice. You’ve been here for almost a year, but for two months, you were on a paid holiday. Most people would be quite envious. Why do you feel so troubled?”

Soon, Bao Xu’s interview ended as well.

Lin Wan was next.

“Why did you choose to leave Sun Strike Studios for a newly-established Tengda back then?”

“In the first few months after Tengda Games was established, you were working on very basic tasks. Later, you were suddenly made the director of the newly-acquired Shang Yang Games. One could say that it’s quite a huge responsibility. Why do you think you were transferred to this role?”

“When you took over Shang Yang Games, the company was incurring losses. Bloody Battle Song was a mini-client when the company first released it, and it was also unpopular. However, its popularity shot through the roof when you turned it into a mobile game. What made you think about turning it into a mobile

game?”

“You have already proven your capabilities now. What is your next goal?”

October 22nd, Friday…

Yesterday, Tengda’s employees were interviewed about the company.

According to the original plan, the interview team was to remain in Jingzhou through Friday and Saturday. They were to roam around and eat, drink, and be merry. A farewell feast at Ming Yun Private Kitchen had been planned for Saturday night. On Sunday, they were to receive gifts and be sent off at the airport.

Pei Qian only dared to show his face in the office when he found out that the interviews were done.

Before that, Pei Qian indirectly asked Huang Sibo and Lu Mingliang about their interviews as well. Once he found out that they strictly kept to their word and revealed nothing about Boss Pei, Pei Qian relaxed slightly.

As for what the interview would turn out like…

Pei Qian could not imagine it now. However, since his own interview had been written, he guessed that he would not feature too strongly. Of course, he could not harbor too much hope as well.

Pei Qian had to guard against Chief Editor Xia because it seemed like the latter would praise him highly.

However, after some thought, Pei Qian concluded that things could not possibly be that bad.

After all, the officials had conducted many similar interviews before. Most brilliant, celebrity game designers in the country had already been featured in their interviews. None of them were ridiculously praised.

The official platform only conducted interviews like that to introduce gamers to excellent game companies and designers. It was only natural that they would paint them in a good light.

Yet, such interviews rarely had obvious effects. Instead, the effect they had after being published on the official platform was similar to placing the game in a good recommendation spot.

Of course, Pei Qian had drastic thoughts like chasing Xia Jiang and her team out of Tengda. However, on further thought, he concluded that he could not do such a thing. Did he really want to fall out with the official platform and media over something like that?

Was it worth it?

Others would begin to suspect that Boss Pei was insane. Then, he might not be able to incur losses, but his reputation would be completely destroyed. It would be akin to social suicide.

Thus, Pei Qian had no choice but to submit to his fate.

As the saying went, one could not slap a smiling face. The interview team had traveled a long way just to conduct this interview. What’s more, they had nothing but good things to say about Tengda and Boss Pei. Of course, Pei Qian could not get angry with them.

In the morning, Pei Qian arrived at the hotel to meet Chief Editor Xia and her team.

“Chief Editor Xia, did the interviews go well? I’m sorry, I’ve been quite busy with work, and so I could not be interviewed longer.”

As Pei Qian casually blew smoke, his expression and heart rate remained the same.

He was used to doing things like that. Life had cruelly molded Boss Pei into a great actor.

Xia Jiang smiled and shook her head subtly. “Boss Pei, don’t stand on ceremony.

“You leave no stone unturned and work hard at your job, in order to contribute to the local game industry and Jingzhou’s economy. You’re really a role model for entrepreneurs.

“It’s my honor to interview you, Boss Pei.

“Don’t worry. The interviews went very well. I’m sure you’ll be extremely pleased with the report!”

Pei Qian’s heart thudded. It felt like something was wrong.

If Xia Jiang had grabbed his hand at that moment, begging for a few more shots or asking a few more questions; it would show that the report would turn out badly.

Yet, Xia Jiang looked very confident. Pei Qian began to panic.

What the h*ll did you get from the interviews?

What would the final video look like?

I can’t imagine…

However, Pei Qian could not possibly ask them to do everything from scratch. Wouldn’t that be akin to courting death?

Thus, Pei Qian could only curse inwardly and smile. “Thank you for your hard work, Chief Editor Xia! Go and enjoy Jingzhou over the next few days. Fully immerse yourself in the local culture!

“I’ve organized a farewell feast for all of you this Saturday and prepared a small parting gift. Chief Editor Xia, please thank the head of the official platform on our behalf.”

Xia Jiang quickly nodded. “Alright, Boss Pei! I will!”

“Have a good time, everyone. I’m going back to work, and I will not see you for the rest of the day!” Pei Qian said his goodbyes to everyone in the team and then left with Assistant Xin.

Once he walked out of the hotel lobby, Pei Qian turned to Assistant Xin with a somber expression. “Arrange for them to go to Jingzhou’s amusement park, Xin Tiandi. Buy them tickets to roller coasters, drop towers, pendulum rides, the haunted house, Bungee jumping… and everything! Let them have a good time and make sure we host them well!

“Sign them up for skydiving the day after tomorrow as well. We must make sure they fully experience Jingzhou’s local culture!”

…

The interviews that had been causing Pei Qian’s head to throb were finally done.

Now, Pei Qian felt like a student who had just finished taking his exams. Although he did not know if he would pass, he knew that he had filled in all the blanks.

In any case, fate would decide how the final product would turn out!

When he got back to his office, he turned his sorrow into motivation and got back to working on 1024 Digital Day. Over the last few days—while the interviews were being conducted, everyone at Upwind Logistics and the Fish-Catching Internet Cafes had been busy with preparation work. They were only two days away from October 24th. They were nearly done with preparations.

Zhang Yuan had already rented several warehouses near the Fish-Catching Internet Cafes. He had also found huge warehouses in relatively cheap areas in Jingzhou’s outskirts. Those would be used specifically to store computer hardware.

Of course, there were too many warehouses. No matter how many computer parts and peripherals Zhang Yuan ordered, the warehouses would not be filled up. After all, ROF did not have many customers yet; and there was no need to have so many stocks prepared.

Still, Pei Qian did not see anything wrong with it. The warehouses could remain empty. Wasted space meant wasted money. He could not ask for anything better.

Apart from that, Pei Qian did some work to prepare everyone for the immense pressure that the event would cause.

He recruited huge groups of temporary, part-time workers for Fish-Catching Take-Out and Upwind Logistics. They were to be paid according to how much they worked during this period.

After all, Fish-Catching Take-Out and Upwind Logistics were sure to be extremely busy during this period. Even with the bonus incentives for completing deliveries, the delivery men would not be able to cope with the workload.

If take-out was delivered too slowly or packages piled up, Pei Qian would be in trouble.

Their reputation would probably not be ruined, but it would affect how much loss the companies incurred.

Anything that might cause Boss Pei to incur less loss had to be dealt with at once!

1024 Digital Day’s event was set to last from October 24th to October 31st. During this event period, all of Fish-Catching Take-Out’s food would be sold at a discounted price. Delivery charges would also be waived.

Those who sent their parcels to Upwind Courier stations would also have their delivery charges waived, and doorstep deliveries would be free of charge as well. ROF had three types of systems, but during the event period, all systems would be sold at their cost price.

At the same time, they would offer free upgrades for the first 100 customers. After that, they would also hold ballots and allow lucky customers to upgrade their systems from the 7,999-yuan one to the 11,999-yuan, or from the 11,999-yuan one to the 15,999-yuan at no charge.

Customers who chose the 15,999-yuan system would not get free upgrades, but ROF would refund four thousand yuan to them. That would be akin to getting a 15,999-yuan system for 11,999 yuan.

Fish-Catching Internet Cafe would hold ballots at regular intervals and give out entire systems to lucky winners.

Although preparations were still underway for the event, the various businesses were marketing the event at different intensities.

Fish-Catching Take-Out, the Upwind Courier stations, and ROF were already marketing the event as much as possible, spending a sum of advertising fee in the process. Fish-Catching Take-Out had put up information about the event on their application’s ‘events’ page. Delivery men were also distributing flyers with every take-out order now.

Upwind Logistics’ delivery men were also distributing flyers about the event with every parcel. Concurrently, Lu Mingliang contacted several express delivery companies, inviting them to send as many parcels as possible to Upwind Logistics during this period.

Fish-Catching Internet Cafe was advertising ROF’s sales.

However, one particular activity was not being publicized: Fish-Catching Internet Cafe’s lucky draw where customers stood to win a system unit.

They would not blow trumpets and make announcements on this particular activity. Winners of the lucky draw would be informed in private, in order to prevent news about the event from getting out. As Pei Qian worked, he felt the weight on his shoulders ease off little by little.

Although there were still many other details to work out, Pei Qian felt that he could more or less catch a break now.

Logically, running a huge promotional event like that should guarantee huge losses. Settlement had been set for October 31st. No new projects would be released from October 24th to 31st. Otherwise, settlement would be delayed.

Based on what he had planned for the duration of the event, Pei Qian guessed that losing seven or eight hundred thousand yuan would be a piece of cake. At that thought, Pei Qian leaned back in his chair and prepared to rest and watch some shows.

The hardworking Boss Pei could not stand being overwhelmed with work all day.

Yet, at that moment, he received a message on his cell phone. It was from Li Yada.

“Boss Pei! Repent and be Saved has been translated into English and Japanese, and the foreign versions are almost complete. The officials have decided to release them on the platform tomorrow! They have very good marketing material prepared. Boss Pei, you can go and take a look.”

“???”

Pei Qian stared at his cell phone, completely dazed.

Sh*t! I forgot about this!

The official platform settled its accounts every week. Tengda would receive its share of the income on Monday.

It was already Friday. If the officials released Repent and be Saved’s foreign versions on Saturday, Tengda would receive Saturday and Sunday’s profits on Monday. Once again, a huge sum of money was dropping from the sky.

Pei Qian fell silent.

Five minutes later, he re-opened the document containing the list of activities during the event period. Bitterly, he began to edit it. What f*cking rest?! I have to keep working!