kvmb Chapter 49 Xinghuo Internet Cafe Expands Its Scale
Chapter 49 Xinghuo Internet Cafe Expands Its Scale
May 28th, evening.
Inside the small office of "Starry Sky Internet Cafe," Ling Yun, Zhao Weiguo, and Sun Peng sat around an old table piled high with ledgers, receipts, and draft papers. Outside the window, the internet cafe lobby was still bustling with noise, the sound of keyboards clattering like a dense raindrop, but the three inside were completely focused on the astonishing string of numbers in front of them.
Sun Peng adjusted his glasses, pressed the calculator button heavily one last time, looked up with an almost dreamlike expression, and his voice was slightly unsteady:
"Boss Ling, Wei Guo, the calculations are all done... We, we're fucking robbing people!"
He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, and pointed to the summarized data in the ledger:
"From our opening on April 12th to yesterday, May 27th, a full 45 days! After deducting all costs—electricity, internet, rent, employee salaries, parts wear and tear, and taxes—our net profit reached 387,600 yuan!"
Three hundred and eighty-seven thousand! In just one and a half months!
Despite being mentally prepared, Zhao Weiguo still gasped sharply when the number was announced, slamming his fist on the table: "Holy crap!!" His face flushed red, too excited to utter another word.
Although Ling Yun's expression remained relatively calm, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. This speed was even faster than he had anticipated.
Sun Peng continued his report, "Our biggest source of income is the computer usage fee. The average price per computer usage is around 19.5 yuan, and with forty machines, the average daily effective usage time exceeds ten hours! The gross income from computer usage fees alone is close to eight thousand yuan per day!"
He picked up another list: "The tea bar that Weiguo set up is performing better than expected. The gross profit from coffee, tea, and beverages has accumulated to 42,000 yuan in these 45 days! Basically... that just covers the salaries of all our current employees (network administrator, receptionist, and cleaner)!"
Hearing this, Zhao Weiguo felt even more honored and puffed out his chest.
"The main expenses are hardware repairs and parts replacements." Sun Peng turned to the expense page, "The mouse is the most worn, the keyboard is also damaged, and two hard drives have failed... This part of the expenses accounts for about 15% of the total income."
"One computer, based on our purchase price of nine thousand," Ling Yun finally spoke, his voice steady, "is twenty yuan per hour, and two hundred yuan per day for ten hours. Theoretically, in forty-five days, that's exactly nine thousand yuan, just enough to recover the hardware cost of a single machine. Sun Peng's calculated total profit, after covering all subsequent operating costs, still leaves a net profit of nearly three hundred and ninety thousand yuan. This shows that our model is valid and very healthy."
He looked at Zhao Weiguo and Sun Peng: "This means that from today onwards, every penny of the setup fee generated by these forty machines, after deducting variable costs, will almost be pure profit! Moreover, the machines themselves are still there; they are our fixed assets."
A brief silence fell over the office again, broken only by the faint commotion from the lobby outside. Zhao Weiguo and Sun Peng processed this conclusion, their breathing becoming heavy. This wasn't just robbery; it was opening a never-ending wellspring of wealth!
"Brother Yun!" Zhao Weiguo was the first to recover from his shock, his eyes burning with a fierce ambition. "This business is too profitable! We must expand! Immediately! Right now! We have to open branches!"
Sun Peng immediately chimed in, pulling out a hastily prepared, rudimentary market research notebook: "I agree with Wei Guo's view! And I've observed that near our Normal University, the number of students isn't less than at Shandong University, but there are only one or two illegal internet cafes nearby. The environment is terrible, the machines are broken, and they secretly use telephone lines to dial, making it incredibly slow! If we could open a new store next to the Normal University that's on par with 'Starry Sky,' business would definitely be booming!"
"Yes! There are empty buildings along the street outside the north gate of the Normal University. I asked around last time!" Zhao Weiguo added, his interpersonal skills coming in handy at this moment.
The branch store plan was put on the table almost naturally.
"I agree to open a branch." Ling Yun nodded, affirming their idea. "Replicating the model and seizing prime locations are the inevitable choices for rapidly scaling up. Wei Guo, you follow up on the location at Shida University and finalize it as soon as possible. The decoration and equipment procurement for the new store should be done according to 'Starry Sky' standards, or even better."
"Great! Leave it to me!" Zhao Weiguo rubbed his hands together, eager to sign the contract immediately.
"However," Ling Yun changed the subject, glancing at the crowded hall outside the window, "while opening branches, we cannot be complacent about our base at Shandong University."
He tapped his finger on the table: "Have you ever calculated how many customers we lose every day because we're always full?"
Sun Peng immediately replied, "Roughly estimated, at least 30% to 40% of potential customers are lost during peak periods. Many people leave as soon as they see the queue."
"Therefore," Ling Yun said decisively, "'Starry Sky' headquarters must be expanded! I've decided to invest further, purchasing sixty new computers! This will bring the current number of machines to one hundred! This will create economies of scale and completely solidify our monopoly position in the Shandong University area!"
Sixty new computers! Another huge investment of over 500,000! But with the previous terrifying profit figures as a foundation, Zhao Weiguo and Sun Peng did not hesitate at all, but instead felt it was only natural.
"It should have been added a long time ago!" Zhao Weiguo exclaimed excitedly. "A hundred machines! Just thinking about it is exciting!"
"Brother Yun," Sun Peng said, thinking more carefully, "adding more machines is a good thing. But our second floor is currently just offices and storage, so the space utilization is not high. Moreover, I've noticed that many people who come to use the internet, especially freshmen and some teachers, are completely clueless about computer operation. They're unfamiliar with turning on the computer, typing, and even using the mouse, which seriously affects their experience and efficiency. Could we... make better use of the second floor?"
Ling Yun gave Sun Peng an approving look; he had noticed this issue long ago as well. In the early days of widespread computer use, "knowing how to use a computer" was itself a scarce skill and an urgent need.
"Brother Peng has hit the nail on the head." Ling Yun picked up the conversation and proposed a more advanced plan: "The 100 additional machines will mainly be used to meet the internet and gaming needs of experienced users. As for the second floor, we'll simply partition it and convert it into several small classrooms."
"A small classroom? What's it for?" Zhao Weiguo didn't understand for a moment.
"Open computer training classes!" Ling Yun gave a clear answer. "We'll offer basic computer operation training classes for university students and working professionals! We'll teach them how to turn computers on and off, how to use the keyboard and mouse, how to use Windows, how to type with WPS, and even basic internet surfing!"
The more he spoke, the clearer his thinking became: "Training courses can be charged by the hour, at affordable prices. This will not only open up a new and stable source of profit, but more importantly—"
He glanced at his two partners, his eyes shining brightly: "It can continuously cultivate and supply us with experienced internet cafe users! Once they learn about computers here and develop the need and ability to access the internet, they will naturally choose our internet cafe, which has the best environment and the most machines! This is the best way to attract customers and cultivate users!"
"A win-win situation!" Sun Peng immediately understood the key point and clapped his hands excitedly. "Moreover, the cost of the training course is very low, mainly the lecturer fees. The venue is our own, and the computers can be used for teaching when they are not used much during the day!"
Zhao Weiguo suddenly realized what was going on and rubbed his hands together excitedly: "Holy crap! That's amazing! Opening an internet cafe and even teaching people how to use computers! It's impossible for this business not to be a hit! We should do the same at the Normal University branch!"
The atmosphere in the office reached a fever pitch. What was originally a simple financial summary meeting quickly evolved into a clear and aggressive expansion plan through the brainstorming and brainstorming of the three individuals:
1. Consolidate the base: Shandong University's "Starry Sky" Internet Cafe expands to 100 computers.
2. Opening up a new battlefield: Opening the first branch, "Spark Internet Cafe," near National Taiwan Normal University, replicating the successful model.
3. Explore new profit points: Utilize the second-floor space to open computer training classes, cultivate the market, and support the main business.
These three directions are interconnected, forming a powerful flywheel of business growth.
"Okay!" Ling Yun stood up and made the final decision. "The direction is set! Wei Guo, you will focus on the site selection and negotiation for the new store at Shida University; Sun Peng, you will be responsible for purchasing one hundred new computers and renovating the classrooms on the second floor, as well as finding part-time lecturers for the training courses; I will be responsible for coordinating funding and the overall schedule."
"no problem!"
"Mission accomplished!"
Zhao Weiguo and Sun Peng spoke in unison, their faces filled with boundless anticipation for the future and high morale.
After the meeting, the two left the office full of energy and got busy with their own tasks.
Ling Yun walked to the window alone, looking down at the crowd still queuing to board the computer, and at the "Starry Sky Internet Cafe" sign that shone brightly in the night.