Losing Money to Be a Tycoon

Chapter 719: The Auction Venue

Pei Qian still felt that something must have gone wrong with the Tengda Spirit test. Thus, he decided to use this method to find out.

The Tengda Spirit test was the last segment of the recruitment examinations. Only new employees could take part in it. What’s more, Pei Qian would not need to read everyone’s answers; he would only need to read a few exam papers to find some clues.

Pei Qian only wanted to see how these people were choosing the right answer.

Had they really developed a lazy attitude?

Of course, the answers on the test papers might not really be what those people thought.

It was also possible that some people would be thinking of slacking, but would not dare to say it aloud when answering open questions. Instead, they would try to cover it up.

There was no way for Pei Qian to resolve this. After all, he could not read minds, and he could not decipher the employees’ true thoughts.

However, if he were to ask the employees to explain why they chose this option, and the employees’ answers were not sincere, he would at least be able to detect some flaws.

Since recruitment was taking place this week, new employees would be hired next week. The next Tengda Spirit test would be next week at the earliest.

Thus, Pei Qian asked the staff to modify the Tengda Spirit test’s programme. Then, he would be able to use the new version for the next Tengda Spirit test.

...

...

November 6th, Sunday...

At DGE Club...

The cleaner had just finished cleaning the place, and the entire training ground was now clean and spotless.

The ten new members of the two teams in the club were participating in a mock competition. Although they looked focused, they actually felt distracted.

That was because something big was going to happen today.

All bidding for the GPL would be held at DGE Club!

The thought that a major event that would decide the future of the entire industry was going to take place right here made everyone feel antsy.

The living room on the second floor of the club’s villa had always been used as a large conference room. Now, it had been cleaned up and was very tidy. There were a total of thirty chairs around the large conference table and outside the conference room.

It was a little crowded, but it was alright.

However, Zhang Yuan felt that something was still lacking.

Who were the people coming today?

Shenhua Real Estate’s Boss Lin, Sun Strike Studios’ Boss Zhou, Xue Zhebin, Boss Li, and so on.

They were here to buy spots in the GPL. Each spot would cost more than ten million yuan. Yet, they were going to discuss business in DGE Club’s conference room?

Wasn’t that a little unbecoming?

Although there had been a time limit of three days, more than twenty companies and organizations had expressed interest in the GPL two days ago.

The representatives from more than twenty companies, the managers of the three clubs that were going to be sold, Pei Qian, Zhang Yuan, and staff from Tengda Corporation’s legal department added up to more than thirty people.

The future of the entire GPL league was about to be decided in this conference room.

本来张元是打算到外边租个大点的,体面点的场地,但裴总表示不用了,就在这开就行.

Zhang Yuan had no choice but to hire someone to clean up the entire base and tidy it up, hoping that he would not leave a bad impression on the investors.

Pei Qian sipped his tea as he waited for the bidders to arrive.

He had already done a lot of preparation beforehand. Now, he only hoped that the offers would be low!

As for why he chose DGE Club...

Wouldn’t he be able to spend more money by choosing a bigger venue?

Obviously, Pei Qian wanted to leave a bad impression on the bidders.

If he had chosen a high-end venue, everyone would assume that Boss Pei was extremely sincere. They would think that he was willing to spend a lot of money for the sake of the GPL, and that they would not lose out if they bought a GPL spot!

If everyone kept pushing the price upwards, wouldn’t Pei Qian have a huge problem on his hands?

He could not afford to incur such a huge loss over something so small.

Thus, Pei Qian had not looked for high-end venues. Instead, he had decided to conduct the bidding at DGE Club’s base. He wanted everyone to bid more conservatively in a relatively simple environment so that Tengda could earn less.

Pei Qian could not predict how much the GPL slots would be sold for later, nor could he interfere. If they fought to raise the price, Pei Qian could not stop them.

He could only resort to such methods to subtly influence the companies that were bidding.

Today was Sunday, and they could eat in the biggest private room in the nameless restaurant tonight.

Pei Qian had already booked it in advance. Once the auction was over, he would invite everyone there for a meal. In any case, everyone was here, and the timing was just right. They would just have a meal to share some of Boss Pei’s burdens, and then leave after.

He glanced at his watch. There was less than half an hour until the agreed time. The investors who were preparing to bid for the GPL spot should be arriving soon.

Zhang Yuan suggested, “Boss Pei, should we go to the entrance to welcome them?”

Pei Qian nodded. “Yes, let’s go.”

The two of them walked to the entrance of the club and waited for everyone to arrive.

Boss Li and another Jingzhou local investor were the first to arrive. Speaking of which, DGE Club’s villa belonged to him in the first place, so it was like he was returning to his own home.

After Li Shi greeted Boss Pei, he went upstairs to wait. There were special waiters there to receive him, guide him to his seat, and serve him tea.

Not long after, Lin Chang arrived.

Pei Qian was a little surprised because Shenhua Real Estate was bidding this time. Logically, Lin Zhou should have come instead.

Lin Chang smiled. “My second brother is too busy, and he has no time. Don’t worry, I can make the decision for him! Boss Pei, just watch!”

After speaking, Lin Chang winked at Pei Qian.

Pei Qian: “...”

He suddenly had an ominous feeling.

Lin Chang also went to the conference room to wait.

Not long after, Zhou Muyan, Xue Zhebin, and the other “Crown Prince” of Jinding Corporation, Yao Bo, who wanted to bid for the GPL spot, arrived.

Xue Zhebin and Yao Bo were both rich second-generation heirs and had known each other for a long time. On the other hand, Zhou Muyan’s Sun Strike Studios had always been involved in games with paywalls and had a certain connection with these rich second-generation heirs who loved to play games. It just so happened that they had bumped into each other.

Pei Qian shook hands with the three of them and exchanged some pleasantries.

“Everyone, please come in. Someone will receive you on the second floor,” said Pei Qian.

Pei Qian was actually quite resistant towards and repulsed by these people who had come to bid for GPL spots. After all, these people were here to stuff money into his pockets and not to help him spend money. They could not possibly receive good treatment from Boss Pei.

However, since they were guests from afar, Pei Qian could not be that impolite. Thus, he still greeted him politely.

Zhou Muyan looked at his watch. “Boss Pei, there’s still about fifteen minutes to go. Can we walk around inside?”

Pei Qian nodded. “Of course, feel free.”

He did not mind too much. If they wanted to look around, so be it. DGE Club’s so-called training base was nothing more than a dilapidated villa. There were no secrets. They could see whatever they wanted.

The three of them entered the villa while Pei Qian and Zhang Yuan waited outside for the others to arrive.

Once Zhou Muyan, Xue Zhebin, and Yao Bo entered the villa, they surveyed the training room in the hall instead of rushing to the second floor.

This was Yao Bo’s first time in Jingzhou. He could not help but frown when he saw the surroundings. “We’re going to bid for the GPL spot in such a place? That’s not proper! It’s a business worth tens of millions, after all. They’re making it look like rural tourism.”

Zhou Muyan also felt that the venue was inappropriate, but he did not say anything.

The villa was too personal and not formal enough. What’s more, they had agreed to hold a meeting and bid. Yet, the team members were still competing in a mock competition on the first floor’s training hall. How could they do that?

Xue Zhebin looked around and smiled. “Don’t you understand? This is what makes Boss Pei different!”

Yao Bo was stunned. “What do you mean?”

Xue Zhebin deliberately paused for a moment before saying, “Boss Pei has always been generous. If he wanted a good venue, he could have rented a five-star hotel. Do you think Boss Pei couldn’t bear to part with the money? Impossible.

“Obviously, there’s a deeper meaning behind this arrangement!”

As he spoke, he gave a pointed look at the ten players in the hall who were training seriously. “He’s showing us the glory of the E-Sports Club!”

Yao Bo and Zhou Muyan were shocked. “You mean...?”

Xue Zhebin continued speaking. “Let me put it this way. Other companies that host auctions feel the need to rent high-end venues. They would rent hotels, organize meals, and prepare all sorts of benefits.

“However, who would show you the lowest level of things?

“You might get scared once you do!

“Boss Pei is hosting this auction at DGE Club, not because he’s stingy, but so that everyone who comes to bid can see what DGE Club looks like!

“Look at these players. They are all muscular and full of energy. That means that the club’s daily training is very scientific and strict.

“The entire club is spotless, and everything is neatly arranged. We can even film a documentary here.

“Even the players’ bedrooms and beds are neatly packed.

“What does that show?

“It shows that Boss Pei is treating the E-Sports industry as a proper, mature and regulated industry. DGE Club is not like other E-Sports clubs. To put it bluntly, the rest are huge internet cafes.

“As the saying goes, one can learn from the smallest details.

“Since DGE Club has such scientific and regulated management, the other clubs would naturally follow suit. If all the clubs can achieve this level, how could the GPL not be successful in the future?”

Yao Bo and Zhou Muyan were enlightened. “I see!

“It’s no wonder that Boss Pei decided to host the auction here. He’s showing us his sincerity!”

Xue Zhebin nodded. “Yes, Boss Pei’s attitude is very clear. He’s openly showing the club’s details to everyone without hiding anything. What could be more practical than this?

“The scale is so small now, and yet Boss Pei could go to such lengths. As the GPL develops further, and the the clubs get richer, Boss Pei might very well construct a building as a training base.

“With Boss Pei’s attitude, what’s there to worry about? Don’t worry about the bidding. As long as we provide the funds, Boss Pei can take care of everything else!”

Yao Bo stopped underestimating DGE Club and began to seriously assess its situation.

Obviously, this would affect all bidders’ judgment of the GPL league’s value!