SAG -Chapter 78 I’ll Cover Your Losses

“I don’t know much about game clubs, but from what I understand, South Korea is developing the fastest in that area. Other places are still a little lacking. Especially here in China—there are some gaming clubs, but only a handful. You know how things are in our country. People naturally resist games, so…”

Meng Mingxuan said.

During this period, he had learned a bit about the industry.

Although his explanation wasn’t comprehensive, it did touch on the key issue.

Zhang Ran nodded.

“That is indeed the current situation.”

“But have you ever thought about it?”

“This is actually an emerging market.”

“What era are we in now?”

“To put it plainly, the next few years will be the era of traffic.”

“With traffic, both money and fame will follow.”

“I don’t know how many years this situation will last, but I’m certain it won’t change much within the next ten years.”

These words didn’t draw much reaction from Ning Qing and the others.

After all, they already understood this much.

But Meng Mingxuan’s mouth fell open.

He knew Zhang Ran’s situation.

How long had Zhang Ran been back?

Yet he already understood these things so clearly—and explained them so thoroughly.

While shocked, Meng Mingxuan no longer had the slightest doubt about what Meng He had once told him:

Their family business had indeed followed the path Zhang Ran had planned years ago.

So there really were people whose vision could reach that far.

Zhang Ran looked at the group and continued, “Professional gamers can actually be considered a kind of celebrity.”

“And if handled properly, the revenue they generate won’t be any less than that of ordinary celebrities.”

“In many cases, professional gamers may even have greater potential than certain stars.”

“A game club is equivalent to a talent agency.”

“This is still an undeveloped wasteland.”

“The opportunities hidden inside should be obvious to all of you.”

Naturally, Ning Qing and the others wouldn’t be persuaded by just a few sentences.

Zhang Ran’s words weren’t especially inflammatory either.

He knew this was only groundwork.

“I also understand your backgrounds.”

“Your families all have certain capabilities, and your parents each have their own businesses.”

“Perhaps in the next few years, some of you will begin taking over your family businesses.”

A few people nodded.

That much was true.

“But I believe in daily life, or in other matters, all of you have probably heard people say that you only enjoy your parents’ protection, and that your own abilities are questionable.”

Zhang Ran continued.

This was normal.

Even if they truly were capable, before they had proven themselves through time and tangible achievements, they couldn’t escape that kind of judgment.

Ning Qing nodded.

“That’s true.”

“But we don’t really care much, because it’s also a fact.”

Zhang Ran said, “Then have you ever thought about building something of your own?”

“Even if only to gain experience?”

“Besides, pioneers in an industry are always remembered.”

“Once that industry develops, those pioneers will be talked about within it.”

“That itself is a kind of proof.”

Although Zhang Ran didn’t spell everything out directly, the meaning was clear.

Ning Qing and the others weren’t fools.

They naturally understood what he was implying.

And they really were somewhat tempted.

Only somewhat, though.

In truth, most rich second-generation heirs had a desire to prove themselves to their parents.

This was especially true for those who grew up in families with powerful, dominant parents.

More importantly, if what Zhang Ran said truly succeeded, then it would indeed serve as proof of their ability.

It could even become a bright mark on their resumes, preparing them to take over their family businesses in the future.

Ning Qing looked at Zhang Ran and hesitated.

“So what you mean is…?”

Zhang Ran smiled.

“That’s right.”

“I want all of you to establish game clubs.”

“And they’ll revolve around the game my newly acquired company is about to develop.”

“Then how can you guarantee the game will become popular?”

“And judging from the current environment, the chance of game clubs being accepted by the public really doesn’t seem high.”

Someone asked.

Zhang Ran replied, “You’re actually wrong about that.”

“The people holding power are changing.”

“It’s no longer just those born in the sixties and seventies.”

“Now it’s people born in the eighties and nineties.”

“Their attitude toward games isn’t as rigid as the older generation’s.”

“And today’s main gaming audience is also made up of those people.”

“Getting their recognition isn’t as difficult as you imagine.”

“As for whether the game will become popular, that will depend on the market.”

“No matter what I say now, you won’t believe it anyway.”

Finally, Zhang Ran said, “Of course, I’m not asking you to throw money away.”

“Nor am I asking you to take risks with me for nothing.”

“Let me put it this way.”

“As long as you’re willing to build game clubs around the game I designate, I’ll promise to cover your losses.”

“If your investment fails, I’ll buy back your clubs at the original price.”

The moment he said this, the eyes of those who were already tempted lit up.

This could almost be called a guaranteed-profit deal.

Someone willing to cover the downside?

That was practically free money falling from the sky.

As for whether Zhang Ran had that kind of money, none of them doubted it.

Just from Meng Mingxuan’s attitude, they knew Zhang Ran was definitely not short of money.

This was Zhang Ran’s true purpose in meeting them.

These rich second-generation heirs naturally came with halos.

Although most of them weren’t particularly high-profile, if they wanted attention, becoming famous was easy.

And once they were exposed publicly, it would greatly benefit their companies.

At the very least, people wouldn’t worry about the bosses taking the money and running.

That was actually the most important point.

The reason rich second-generation entrepreneurs had a higher chance of success was partly because many people were willing to trust them.

Not because they believed they would succeed.

But because they believed these heirs wouldn’t run off with the money, and even if debts arose, someone behind them could shoulder the burden.

Put simply, Zhang Ran valued exactly this point.

He wanted them to voluntarily publicize and create momentum.

That was far better than ordinary advertising.

And the reason Zhang Ran arranged everything so carefully had only one goal: to build Zhang Sicheng’s confidence.

Unlike other rich second-generation heirs, Zhang Sicheng had truly grown up poor.

Until Zhang Ran returned, Zhang Sicheng had lived cautiously his entire life.

He feared many things.

He feared losing his job.

He feared the landlord suddenly kicking them out.

He feared falling seriously ill and causing the family to collapse overnight.

Zhang Ran knew all of this.

So if he wanted to train Zhang Sicheng, the first thing he needed to cultivate was confidence.

That confidence couldn’t be built merely on how much money Zhang Ran had.

It had to be built through Zhang Sicheng’s repeated successes.

Only then could Zhang Sicheng slowly change himself.

This was completely different from how he was training Meng Mingxuan.