Chapter 15 Wednesday, June 15th

A little after 11 AM, Pei Qian rolled over and sat up in bed, scratching his bird's nest of hair.

After spacing out for half a minute, Pei Qian decided to get up, wash up, and then check out the aftermath of the Moyu Internet Cafe 3.0, also known as the Esports Life Hall, opening ceremony from yesterday.

While brushing his teeth, he recalled last night's nightmare in his mind.

"Otto Technologies made a feature-rich software for the托管 (managed) gym."

"Moyu Internet Cafe 3.0 was made into an Esports Life Hall, and it was done so coolly that even the lights on the computers were flexing."

"Xiao Peng had bragged about a 'grand esports ecosystem,' firmly binding the three businesses of gaming, esports, and internet cafes together."

"DGE Esports Club played an exhibition match, confirming what Xiao Peng said about the grand esports ecosystem, and also promoting the 托管 (managed) gym in passing."

"And the last scene I remember seeing was a group of game media surrounding them, interviewing Xiao Peng and the people from the club."

"Ah, it's a nightmare!"

Pei Qian recalled carefully that yesterday's press conference for Moyu Internet Cafe 3.0 was full of twists and turns, a series of unfortunate events!

After washing up, Pei Qian was also roughly mentally prepared for the current situation.

Judging from the existing information, this first Moyu Internet Cafe 3.0 was most likely going to be a hit.

A big hit right from the start, setting the worst record since the establishment of the Moyu Internet Cafe industry.

However, this wasn't too serious a problem. After all, Pei Qian already knew that Moyu Internet Cafe was a high-risk industry when he opened the store. Not to mention anything else, the loyal users of Moyu Internet Cafe in Jingzhou alone could probably support this 3.0 model internet cafe.

Moreover, internet cafes are inherently high-investment and slow-return businesses. Even if they start making money as soon as they open, it will take a long time to recover the huge upfront investment, including decoration costs and computer equipment costs.

But what Pei Qian couldn't accept was that Xiao Peng had patted his head and created such a big scene, directly promoting the esports club and the 托管 (managed) gym as well!

If those two suddenly started making money, that would be unacceptable to Pei Qian.

So, after preparing himself mentally, Pei Qian sat on the sofa and opened his laptop, intending to read the relevant reports and confirm whether the esports club and the 托管 (managed) gym were still safe.

After searching for DGE Esports Club and the 托管 (managed) gym separately, Pei Qian found some reports.

"DGE Esports Club's Schedule Exposed, On How Esports Gods Are Made!"

"Shocking! Before and After Photos of DGE Esports Club Members Working Out, Who Changed the Most?"

"In-depth Interpretation of the New 'Managed Fitness' Model, Could This Be Tengda's Grand Strategy?"

After reading a few reports, Pei Qian was slightly relieved.

It seemed that DGE Esports Club had only sparked discussion and gained some attention, but there was no risk of profitability.

The situation with the 托管 (managed) gym was a bit more ominous. Many reports were touting this new model, but judging from the comments below, many consumers were still skeptical.

After all, the price and the bundled fitness meal consumption were unacceptable to many people.

In short, the popularity and awareness had indeed increased greatly, and would inevitably translate into some profit, but to say that it would turn losses into profits and become an instant hit… it seemed too early.

Pei Qian breathed a slight sigh of relief.

In just one day, things hadn't had time to get that bad, it was just beginning to show signs.

Pei Qian then began searching for reports about the opening day of Moyu Internet Cafe 3.0.

However, the first thing he found was a news item from Game Time.

The title was: "Exclusive News! President Pei of Tengda Group Appears at Esports Life Hall, Actually Offered This Interpretation…"

Pei Qian: "?"

What the hell?

Did that reporter see through my real identity? Wasn't I calling myself "Mr. Ma, who wishes to remain anonymous"?

And what was with this clickbait news title!

Recalling those unpleasant interviewing experiences, Pei Qian instinctively felt a sense of crisis and quickly clicked to view it.

I have to say, clickbait is still very useful.

Even President Pei couldn't resist being fooled into clicking.

"At 1 PM on the afternoon of June 14th, the opening ceremony of Moyu Internet Cafe's 3.0 model store and Tengda Group's first Esports Life Hall was held as scheduled on the fourth floor of the south zone of Hongde Mall near Handong University…"

There was nothing to say about the beginning, it mainly introduced the situation on the scene that day, including some photos of the scene, etc.

Pei Qian quickly skipped ahead to the most critical part.

"What is not known is that President Pei of Tengda Group was also on the scene on the opening day, but he very quietly put on a mask and did not set up any speaking sessions, but silently watched the entire opening ceremony from beginning to end."

"Fortunately, this reporter happened to interview a Mr. Ma, who wished to remain anonymous, while interviewing the audience on the scene. Afterwards, after confirmation by the waiters, this low-key and handsome young man was none other than President Pei of Tengda Group!"

Seeing this, Pei Qian tried hard to control the corners of his mouth, not letting himself reveal an overly obvious smile.

Although this reporter was a clickbaiter, he was still very factual in reporting on such critical issues!

"Although using the pseudonym 'Mr. Ma,' President Pei still gave in-depth answers to the questions raised by this reporter. Next, let this reporter bring you the first-hand information from the scene!"

"When answering the question about the 'grand esports ecosystem,' President Pei said that he did not completely agree with the concept that President Xiao was talking about. Obviously, in President Pei's plan, the real 'grand esports ecosystem' would be more complex than what President Xiao described, and the blueprint that President Xiao envisioned for us was just the tip of the iceberg of Tengda Group's ambition."

"When answering the question about 'whether esports will have an impact on life,' President Pei said that the esports industry has already had a very profound impact on his life, which is also hinting that he firmly believes that in the future, esports will become an indispensable part of people's lives, just like the huge changes that Tengda has brought to Jingzhou, which have affected all aspects of people's lives."

"When answering 'how to view the magical effects of the 托管 (managed) gym,' President Pei just smiled faintly and said not to over-mythologize it."

Pei Qian was stunned for a moment.

What the hell was a faint smile?

Thinking carefully, he did subconsciously twitch the corners of his mouth at the time.

So… could this reporter really clearly distinguish the difference between a helpless smile and a confident smile?

"Obviously, President Pei is worried that some media will over-exaggerate the fitness effect, which will constitute a substantial misleading effect on consumers. And Tengda has always treated people with sincerity and never engages in any false advertising."

"At the same time, President Pei is also telling consumers that fitness requires perseverance and willpower. No gym in the world can give you a perfect figure. Ultimately, it still depends on yourself."

"I have to say that what President Pei's 托管 (managed) gym advocates is a healthy and scientific view of fitness."

"But we must also note that the magical effect of the 托管 (managed) gym can be described as immediate, and President Pei's words have a wise man's mentality of 'leaving three points unsaid.'"

"This reporter wanted to ask more questions, but unfortunately, by the time this reporter reacted, President Pei had already turned and left, disappearing into the vast sea of people."

"[Picture]"

Although this was a picture taken with a mobile phone, the picture quality was not bad and the focus was very clear. After all, the person taking the picture was a professional reporter.

At the entrance of the Moyu Internet Cafe Esports Life Hall, there was a sea of people, all enthusiastic viewers who had just watched the game and were full of excitement. Their expressions were different, some were eager, some were excited, some were looking forward to it…

And among the countless people facing the camera, a back view that was turning away seemed so eye-catching.

"President Pei's back reminded me of a line of poetry: 'After accomplishing the task, he dusts off his clothes and leaves, deeply hiding his name and merit.'"

"At the opening of Moyu Internet Cafe 3.0 and the Esports Life Hall, President Pei came to the scene, quietly witnessed the beginning of the 'grand esports era,' and waved his sleeves and walked away silently, without taking away any sense of existence."

"Perhaps many years later, when President Pei looks back at his vast esports empire, he will recall that it all originated from a small internet cafe and two exciting exhibition matches."

"President Pei silently watched all of this, leaving all the glory and cheers in the center of the stage, leaving it to others, while he himself gracefully retired after success and returned to the masses."

"And isn't this back a portrayal of President Pei's style of doing things since he started his business? Humble, low-key, seemingly without any sense of existence, but subtly influencing all aspects of Tengda Group."

"It can truly be said: 'Looking back at the desolate place, returning, there is no wind or rain, nor sunshine!'"

…

After reading the entire report, Pei Qian felt complicated.

What the hell is this!

Are several styles of writing mixed together in one article?

Looking at the title, it's obviously clickbait;

Looking at the beginning, it seems to be a documentary;

In the last part, it suddenly starts awkwardly writing poetry and becomes lyrical!

"How can this reporter write like this!"

"Except for the 'low-key and handsome young man' part, the rest is simply nonsense!"

"Especially the last paragraph, it's almost blowing harder than if they were paid to do it!"

"No one should believe such a ridiculous report, right? Please don't play such jokes on me."

Pei Qian silently clicked on the comment section.

However, as far as his eyes could see, it was all praise, and the popularity was much higher than he imagined!

"It seems to be true. President Xiao admitted it later, saying that President Pei was indeed there!"

"This shouldn't be President Pei's original words, right?"

"That must have been artistically processed, but it should be close enough."

"Written so well, especially these two lines of poetry, and this picture, perfectly match President Pei's temperament!"

"I inexplicably feel very inspired, especially the part about 'looking back at his vast esports empire many years later,' it's simply domineering! I've already imagined the scene in my head!"

"I've already set this picture as my wallpaper! I want to constantly remind myself to become someone like President Pei!"

Looking at the comments below this report, Pei Qian silently scratched his head and fell silent.

At the same time, many question marks floated out.

Artistically processed, but should be close enough?

Very inspired?

Set as the wallpaper?

Is there… something wrong with this world?