The shop's ten percent share was not an excessive request; in fact, upon closer calculation, Chi Yiyuan was at a disadvantage by taking only ten percent.
The two-story building had a large area and an excellent location. Even if rented out, it could generate a considerable amount of money annually.
"Yiyuan, aren't you planning to invest a bit more capital? That way, your share can be higher!" Su Xiaosi continued to persuade.
Among their group, Chi Yiyuan had the most money. If Chi Yiyuan didn't contribute, it would be difficult for them to raise the necessary funds.
Chi Yiyuan gently shook his head.
"With this ten percent, we only expect dividends and do not intend to participate in the operations."
Su Xiaosi was somewhat dejected upon hearing Chi Yiyuan's response.
In his plan, Chi Yiyuan was supposed to have the largest share.
Although he was ambitious and wanted to make money, he had a clear understanding of himself.
The lack of sufficient funds in his hands was a significant drawback.
"Xiaogang, we don't have much money. Do you think it's okay if the two of us combine for a ten percent share?"
When Su Xiaomei heard the amount Su Xiaosi mentioned, she knew that she and Xiaogang could only jointly hold a ten percent stake.
Since it was only ten percent, Su Xiaomei had no desire for management rights.
Besides, she and her brother truly lacked business acumen. She was busy with seed research, and Xiaogang was still in high school.
Rather than meddling blindly, it was better to follow Chi Yiyuan's lead and simply wait for dividends.
Su Xiaosi became even more troubled. He had initially thought they wouldn't be short of money, but based on the current progress, there was a big problem.
It was possible that after everyone pooled their resources, they still wouldn't reach the amount he had anticipated.
"We four have little money, and each can only contribute five percent of the capital."
Su Xiaoliu spoke on behalf of the younger Su siblings. They still had some money, but they needed it for the卤味 (luwei - braised delicacies) business and couldn't invest it all.
With this, four percent was accounted for, leaving sixty percent.
"I'll contribute ten percent," Su Shouwen said. "However, I won't have time to participate in the operations."
"I'm the same as Big Brother!"
"I'm the same as Big Brother and Second Brother."
Everyone had stated their position, leaving three shares remaining.
Su Xiaosi did a quick calculation. After the subscriptions, he would receive twenty-one thousand yuan and wouldn't have to pay rent separately.
However, this amount was still far from the expenses he needed to cover.
"There are still thirty percent of the shares left. Xiaotian, how much do you plan to invest?" This was Su Xiaosi's last hope.
"Fourth Brother, wouldn't it be better if you took all the remaining shares?"
If Su Xiaosi could hold thirty percent of the shares himself, he would essentially be the main person in charge, with absolute decision-making power, which would be best for future development.
Su Xiaosi gave a wry smile.
He wished he could take it all, but he had to have the financial capability.
He only had over five thousand yuan in hand, not even enough for twenty percent, let alone taking all thirty percent.
Su Xiaotian understood that a single penny could stop a hero.
"If that's the case, I'll also contribute ten percent of the money. The remaining twenty percent, can Fourth Brother find a way to raise it?"
If he really couldn't raise the funds, Su Xiaotian wouldn't mind lending Su Xiaosi money.
Su Xiaosi thought for a moment and finally nodded. "The shortfall isn't too large. If I find ways to earn more money during this period, I should be able to raise enough."
In fact, raising funds didn't require investing all the capital at once.
Renovations would take time, and the money for purchasing inventory would temporarily remain in their hands.
He could use this period to find ways to earn more money.
Although it would be very tiring, as long as he made money, he would have the largest share in the shop.
After the money matters were settled, Su Xiaotian thought of something and spoke again.
"Based on the current situation, the shop will be managed by Fourth Brother once it's set up."
Everyone nodded in agreement. They all had their own affairs and indeed didn't have the time to manage the business. They could help out occasionally, but they definitely couldn't dedicate all their energy to the shop.
"I think that besides having absolute decision-making power in the shop's operations, Fourth Brother should also receive remuneration."
Su Xiaosi would bear all the pressure of the shop, so this remuneration should be given. However, it was better to clarify this in advance to avoid disputes over small amounts of money later and damage their relationship.
"Xiaotian, what are your thoughts?" Chi Yiyuan asked.
Since Su Xiaotian had brought it up, he must already have an idea.
"Three percent of the shop's net income as Fourth Brother's salary, what do you all think?" Su Xiaotian proposed.
This salary standard was actually no different from dividends.
The reason she thought this way was to boost Su Xiaosi's enthusiasm.
The others were clearly not expecting Su Xiaotian to make such a proposal.
But they were not stupid and quickly understood.
Su Xiaosi worked hard and ran around; he couldn't serve others for free.
They had all been in business for half a year and knew the hardships and difficulties involved.
Three percent was indeed not much.
Su Xiaomei said with a smile, "We won't manage anything, and all matters will depend on Xiaosi to arrange. He should receive a salary. However, is three percent too little? If the net income for a month is only one thousand yuan, then Xiaosi would only receive thirty yuan."
Thirty yuan was less than what one could earn doing anything else.
Before Su Xiaomei did the calculation, others didn't think it was little, but after she said it, everyone truly felt that the reward for Su Xiaosi was a bit low.
Su Xiaotian said with a half-smile, "Then how about five percent?"
The others still felt it was little, but Su Xiaotian had shut them down.
"Five percent doesn't sound like much, but this base is calculated on one thousand yuan. But what if it's not one thousand yuan, but ten thousand yuan? Whether Fourth Brother earns fifty a month or five hundred a month depends on his own ability."
"I agree!" Hearing Su Xiaotian say this, Chi Yiyuan was the first to speak.
Since Chi Yiyuan agreed, the Su siblings naturally wouldn't object.
As for Su Xiaomei, who had raised the objection, she wouldn't object either.
Su Xiaosi had not even considered receiving a salary in addition to dividends before; this was an unexpected awakening.
At this moment, the young man was so happy he almost jumped up.
"I promise to work hard!"
If they could really achieve a net income of ten thousand yuan a month, five percent would be five hundred yuan.
Five hundred a month, and six thousand a year just in salary.
For this, he had to put in a hundred percent effort.
Just thinking about this number made Su Xiaosi incredibly excited.
Su Xiaotian quickly poured cold water on him.
"Fourth Brother, don't get excited yet. It's not too late to be excited when you see the money!"
With that remark, Su Xiaosi sobered up. That was right; during this period, their shop was about to open, and it was all about spending money. They didn't know when they would start making money.
But for the goal, Su Xiaosi poured in all his enthusiasm.
In the following days, Su Xiaosi indeed devoted his energy to the shop's renovation and his pursuit of making money.
He had to attend classes at school and also run some small businesses outside. He was already very busy, and with the shop renovations, he was visibly losing weight.
Even Grandma Su, who always favored Su Xiaotian, noticed that this grandson needed to be replenished.
Every time Su Xiaosi came back, Grandma Su would make soup to nourish him.
She repeatedly muttered, "Why work so hard? You are a student; you should focus on your studies. As for making money, aren't you still got me and Grandpa?"
Su Xiaosi smiled faintly and said nothing. His grandparents could earn money, but that was their money; he didn't covet it.
It was more satisfying to spend money earned by himself.