199: Chapter 199 Wang Tengfei Develops Secret Feelings, Ye Ziming Becomes Qin Yi's Follower (Part 2)

By the time lunch ended, it was already past one in the afternoon.

Xu Qian, acting like a well-behaved young daughter-in-law, accompanied Wu Xiuhua into the kitchen to clean up the dishes.

At this time, Qin Yi and Wang Tengfei were called into the study by Qin Jianye.

Qin Yi wore a relaxed smile and jokingly asked, "Dad, what's up? Why did we have to come to the study to talk? You're making it so mysterious."

"Sit down first." Qin Jianye pointed to the two single sofas in front of the desk, then walked around behind the desk, picked up a small stack of documents on the table, and while organizing them, said, "I want to show you the Materials I stayed up all night preparing. It's all the lessons and experiences I've gathered from running a business over the years. I hope it can be of some use to your startup."

Qin Yi and Wang Tengfei looked at each other and then sat down.

Afterward, Qin Yi took the Materials handed over by Qin Jianye, seeing that every page was densely packed with writing, the handwriting neat and powerful.

Qin Yi took the papers, a trace of emotion flashing in his eyes.

He flipped through them page by page seriously, handing each one to Wang Tengfei beside him after finishing it.

The study was so quiet that only the sound of turning pages could be heard.

After a while, Qin Yi finished reading all the content. He looked up, his eyes full of concern for his father: "Dad, you really shouldn't stay up late to write so much stuff in the future. The new company has just started, we have plenty of time to plan, and your health is the most important thing."

Wang Tengfei also hurriedly agreed: "Yeah, Uncle. Our roommate, the third one, will also work with us, so you don't have to work so hard. In the future, if you have any ideas or suggestions, just tell us directly, and we'll handle it, right?"

Hearing their words, Qin Jianye smiled, took off his reading glasses, and gently rubbed the corners of his eyes.

His gaze drifted between Qin Yi and Wang Tengfei, carrying a touch of relief and emotion: "I originally wanted to help you build up the new company, but after finishing writing all this last night, I really felt a bit overwhelmed. Maybe I'm just getting old."

He paused and continued: "I discussed it with your mom this morning, and we feel that I shouldn't get involved in your company. You have your own ideas and methods, and we should let you go out and make your own way."

Qin Yi frowned slightly after hearing this and persuaded: "No, Dad, it's just presbyopia, it doesn't affect anything. Besides, you have experience in managing companies."

"Ahem," Qin Jianye coughed lightly, a serious and deep expression appearing on his face. "What management experience? To put it bluntly, starting a business is just two things. As long as you do these two things well, you won't fail. The first is increasing revenue! What is increasing revenue? It's cash flow! You must ensure the company's cash flow is healthy. As for things like loans and leverage, try not to touch them if you can. You must never touch loan sharks; your dad has suffered from that before."

Speaking of this, a trace of gloom flashed in his eyes, but he quickly returned to firmness.

"Besides increasing revenue, the second thing is cutting costs." Qin Jianye continued, his brows slightly furrowed as if thinking about how to better express his thoughts. "Cutting costs doesn't mean you should live stingily or withhold employees' salaries and benefits. If you do that, the company won't be able to retain talent. Cutting costs means spending money where it's needed; don't skimp on necessary expenses, but don't spend a cent where it's not needed."

He paused, a look of pride appearing on his face: "Just like our family's previous steel mill; even during the most difficult times, I never owed the workers a single cent of their wages. This is the importance of cutting costs. You must strictly control fixed costs and avoid risks. I also wrote in the Materials that you can use bonuses and other methods to motivate employees; many big companies do this. You can hire an HR person later and communicate well."

Qin Jianye's words made Qin Yi and Wang Tengfei listen with great interest.

Looking at his father, Qin Yi felt even more respect and gratitude in his heart.

Wang Tengfei looked at Qin Jianye with an expression of worship and couldn't help but compliment him: "Uncle, you are truly amazing. I never even thought about what you said. I just thought that starting a company on my own would be a very cool thing."

"Haha," Qin Jianye was a bit embarrassed by the praise, but his face was still beaming with a happy smile. "Starting a business does require passion and drive at the beginning. But you young people also need to be down-to-earth. Especially as a boss and shareholder, you must think twice before making decisions. Don't just make decisions on a whim! Also, if a pie suddenly falls from the sky, there must be a trap you can't see waiting for you on the ground."

Speaking of this, Qin Jianye took a deep breath and continued, "What do I mean by telling you this today? It means, Xiao Yi, just go ahead and do it. With me around, you might feel restricted. On the contrary, if we don't participate, you might develop even faster! This era no longer belongs to us; it's time for you young people to go out and make your mark."

Qin Yi nodded, deeply moved by his father's words.

Worried that his father would be bored if he was idle, he suggested: "Dad, what are your plans for the future? How about this, I'll give you a nominal position in the company. You can come over when you have free time and offer your opinions and suggestions. Also, Mom, we don't have anyone in the family to handle finance, and only Mom has managed accounts before. I really wouldn't feel at ease with the finance side without someone I know and trust."

Qin Jianye smiled and nodded: "Okay, I'll leave that to you. By the way, when is the new company planning to open?" He asked with concern.

"No rush," Qin Yi responded. "I have an appointment with a few friends tonight, and they also want to get involved. We can discuss the equity distribution then, and decide on the opening date afterward."

"Hmm, good." Qin Jianye nodded with satisfaction. "You've grown up and have your own ideas. Go for it! However, I must remind you: do not have the heart to harm others, but you must have the heart to defend against others. When you go out for business socializing in the future, you should still have someone you know and trust by your side."

Speaking of this, he suddenly remembered something, a look of regret appearing on his face, and added, "Did you see the news on TV this morning? The chairman of that Hongtai Construction actually died in a car accident. Isn't that a pity..."

Hearing this, Qin Yi's eye twitched involuntarily. Wang Tengfei was just about to say something, but unexpectedly, the study door was suddenly pushed open, and Qin Xiaoyue's cute, youthful, and energetic face poked in.

"Brother, what are you guys talking about? Is it convenient for me to come in?" Qin Xiaoyue blinked, curiously examining the atmosphere in the study.

Qin Yi glanced at her, a playful smile curling on his lips: "Even if it wasn't convenient, you've already come in, haven't you? Speak, what is it?"

"Hehe," Qin Xiaoyue held a document, trotted to Qin Yi's side, and handed the document to him. "Brother, here. Didn't you ask me to poach people for the media company? This is the list; it has their contact information, Douyin accounts, and follower counts. I also found some backend staff with relevant work experience."

Qin Yi took the two pages of documents, glanced at them, and a flash of satisfaction appeared in his eyes.

He looked up at Qin Xiaoyue and praised: "Not bad, Xiao Yue, you're quite efficient. Do these people have the intention to jump ship?"

"Hehe, of course." Qin Xiaoyue smiled proudly. "The company I was at before was just too trashy. Brother, you know what? When I first told these streamers that my brother was opening an entertainment media company and hiring a lot of people, they were still hesitant. Later, I said my brother is the Douyin Dragon-raising expert, wow, the appeal was incredible, everyone responded at once!"

"Hahaha, is that so?" Qin Yi laughed, clearly in a good mood. "That's great. Since you poached them, I'll leave their affairs to you. No problem, right?"

Qin Xiaoyue scratched her head and said with some difficulty: "That, I have no problem taking charge, but there is still a small problem here..."

"What problem?" Qin Yi raised an eyebrow and asked curiously.

"It's about the contract." Qin Xiaoyue sighed. "Many of these people are like me, just graduated, have no experience, and were tricked by the company into signing contracts. Now if they want to jump ship, the company definitely won't let them go easily."

Hearing this, Qin Yi frowned tightly, pondered for a moment, and said: "Okay, I'll handle this. It just so happens that I'm having dinner with Brother Kun tonight. Brother Kun has extensive connections; maybe he can help solve it."

"Brother, you are the best!" Qin Xiaoyue jumped up excitedly and gave Qin Yi a big hug.

She let go and said excitedly: "Okay then, I'll go talk about these people jumping ship. But, when is our new company opening?"

Qin Yi thought for a moment and said: "Well, we have to get the company renovated first. When you recruited these streamers, did you think about how to develop in the future? As for me, I have a few hard requirements: First, within a month, the company must be on the right track! Second, the company staff, including the streamers you recruited and the backend operations staff, must not be fewer than 100 people. Third, the total number of followers of these streamers in the company, or signing some artists and singers, is also fine; anyway, their total follower count must not be less than 100 million! Can you do it?"

"How, how much? 100 million?" Qin Xiaoyue widened her eyes and looked at Qin Yi in disbelief. "Brother, are you okay? How is this possible?"

"What's impossible about that? Is 100 million a lot?" Qin Yi asked rhetorically. "I saw on your list, isn't the one with the most followers already close to 10 million?"

"Hey, her 10 million followers are very watered down!" Qin Xiaoyue pouted. "At least 200,000 to 300,000 are zombie followers, bought by the company with money."

"Damn, there's such a thing?" Qin Yi frowned, a trace of displeasure flashing on his face.

He hurriedly asked the System silently: "System, do zombie followers count as follower count?" While speaking, his fingers subconsciously tapped on the desk, waiting for the System's reply.

[Ding! Answering the Host, only verified followers are valid. However, the System will not calculate whether the follower counts overlap; in other words, all verified follower counts can be accumulated.]

After listening to the System's reply, Qin Yi had a plan in mind, and his expression appeared much more relaxed.

He turned to look at Qin Xiaoyue, a confident smile curling on his lips.

"No, Brother, signing those big influencers with 10 million followers won't be cheap." Qin Xiaoyue said with some worry. "The company just started, do we really need so many big influencers?"

"Go for it, your brother is not short of money!" Qin Yi waved his hand generously, the smile on his face becoming even brighter. "But I have requirements: I only want high-quality streamers with good character. Those who only know how to pose and walk the edge, don't bother coming."

Seeing this, a flash of admiration appeared in Qin Xiaoyue's eyes. She nodded and said solemnly: "Alright, then you can rest assured. Leave this to me. However, for the staff not to be fewer than 100, you have to help me. I can recruit streamers and backend staff, but I can't recruit for company operations, and I don't have experience in that area."

"Okay, no problem." Qin Yi nodded in agreement.

"Okay, it's a deal then." Qin Xiaoyue smiled happily. "I've already told those streamers that you'll handle their jumping ship."

"Okay, go tell them." Qin Yi nodded with a smile.

"Alright, you guys continue chatting, I'm going back to my room." Qin Xiaoyue said, turning around and running out of the study happily.

Wang Tengfei watched Qin Xiaoyue's back, a silly, naive smile on his face.

Seeing this, Qin Yi frowned slightly, patted him on the shoulder, and teased: "What are you smiling foolishly about?"

"Uh, nothing." Wang Tengfei came back to his senses and scratched his head embarrassedly. "I just think your sister is so cute."

"Damn, Fatty, you don't like my sister, do you?" Qin Yi looked at Wang Tengfei with some surprise.

"What's wrong? Is it not allowed? Does your sister have a boyfriend?" Wang Tengfei pretended to be dissatisfied and glared back at Qin Yi, muttering.

Hearing this, Qin Yi exchanged a look with his father Qin Jianye, and both couldn't help but shake their heads and laugh.

"What are you laughing at? Uncle, why are you the same as Qin Yi?" Wang Tengfei muttered with some dissatisfaction.

"Hahaha," Qin Yi laughed and patted Wang Tengfei's shoulder. "No, no, you misunderstood us. If you like her, go chase her; I support you. But as a good brother, I have to remind you: my sister is not an easy person to deal with, you need to be mentally prepared. Don't be fooled by her loli appearance."

"Tsk, I don't believe it." Wang Tengfei pouted, turned his head away with some disdain, but his hand subconsciously reached into his pocket and fumbled to take out his phone.

He opened the Douyin App with slightly clumsy movements. Qin Yi curiously leaned over, and with one glance, he exclaimed in surprise: "Damn, Fatty, Xiao Yue is actually still on your special follow list."

A smug smile appeared on Wang Tengfei's face, his eyes full of tenderness: "Look, how cute she is, and she's smart too. I just like this spirit of hers."

Speaking, he looked up, gazed at Qin Yi with burning eyes, gave a wink, and his tone became somewhat pleading: "Fourth, are we best friends? You have to help me this time."

Qin Yi couldn't help but smile. He patted Wang Tengfei on the shoulder and teased: "How about you go to the media company and work with Xiao Yue, close to the water gets the moonlight first?"

Wang Tengfei hurriedly waved his hands, his face full of helplessness and anxiety: "Aiya, how can that work... Fourth, I'm serious, hurry up and tell me, what exactly does your sister like?" He looked at Qin Yi with anticipation, his eyes full of pleading and eagerness.

Qin Jianye sat on the side, watching the interaction between these two young people, and couldn't help but show a kind smile on his face.

He shook his head gently, stood up slowly from the chair, and as he walked toward the door of the study, he said: "Alright, alright, you young people chat, I'm going back to my room to take a nap."

As the study door closed, Qin Yi also stood up from the sofa.

He stretched his body, turned his gaze to Wang Tengfei, and a smile curled on his lips: "Let's go, after eating, I'll take you out for some activities, and by the way, look at some houses."

"No... Fourth, don't go yet, what exactly does your sister like? Just tell me." Wang Tengfei paced around anxiously, his tone full of urgency.

Qin Yi, however, deliberately kept him in suspense: "What's the rush? We'll talk about it when we go out. Or should I help you call her over and you ask her directly?" He looked at Wang Tengfei with a smile, looking leisurely and content.

"Aiya, no, no, you'd better take me around, we'll talk on the way, on the way..." Wang Tengfei sighed helplessly and had to compromise.

The two talked as they walked out of the study.

Passing by the kitchen, Qin Yi poked his head in and said to his mother and Xu Qian who were busy: "Mom, Qianqian, I'm taking Fatty out for a stroll, I'll be back in a while."

"Okay, you guys go... Tengfei, don't leave tonight, eat at home!" His mother warmly urged him to stay.

"Alright, Auntie." Wang Tengfei responded, and then the two left the room.

...

Meanwhile, in the luxurious private room at West Suburb No. 5 Courtyard, Xing Zhenkun and the others had also finished this expensive lunch.