Sun Xiaoying was the kind of man who always repaid grudges. Back then, he had already been eighty or ninety percent certain of securing Tianmu Star in the game.
He had even arranged to play games with Morpheus, a member of the Earth Industrial Committee, afterward, taking the opportunity to curry favor with him and build a connection.
But Revival Game Studio had appeared out of nowhere and ruined everything. How could he let such a grudge go unavenged?
"Experts need money to keep them around. You're just a tiny game studio. If you can't make money, you'll have no choice but to disband."
Unfortunately, he had not found the real-world address of that game studio. Otherwise, he could have simply sent some gang members over to smash the studio and kill its owner. Why go through all this trouble?
The two studio owners, Li Ke and Huang Teng, immediately perked up. "Please arrange the specific details, General Sun."
"What's your average cost per power-leveling agent now? What are your profits? And what's the industry average?"
"On average, each power-leveling agent brings in around 300 credits in cash flow per day. Of that, 140 credits are paid as wages, around 20 go toward food and lodging, around 20 toward training and equipment, 10 toward depreciation and utilities, and 40 toward miscellaneous expenses such as advertising, promotion, and greasing officials' palms. That comes to 230 credits total. The remaining 70 credits are pure profit, or roughly 23.33%."
"So an average price cut of 23.3% means no profit?"
"It would probably take a cut of around 30%. Lower prices would increase our utilization rate."
"Revival Game Studio's costs should be higher than ours, since they're all experts. Experts should be paid more than ordinary power-leveling agents. By my estimate, their net profit margin is at most 15%."
A smile appeared on Sun Xiaoying's face. "Cut prices by 50%! Every power-leveling service, half price!"
Half price! At that point, not only would all profits be gone—they would be losing money!
"Losing money? I can afford it! Let's see how long that Revival Game Studio can hold on!"
Li Ke and Huang Teng exchanged a glance, each making up his mind.
After all, General Sun would cover most of their losses. Though they would each take a small hit themselves, once Revival was crushed, their studios could raise prices again and receive more orders. They could earn back everything they lost.
Once a studio collapsed and its employees scattered, it would not be easy to gather them together again.
As long as they crushed Revival, it would solve the problem once and for all.
In the long run, there was no way this deal would lose money.
"Rest assured, General Sun. We'll head back and make the arrangements now. The five largest studios in the industry will join forces to cut prices. Revival won't last long!"
At that moment, Han Yang, refreshed after his computing power increase, finally found it in himself to leave the core area and inspect the outside.
Along the way, whenever employees saw Han Yang, whether he knew them or not, every one of them greeted him with utmost respect.
Han Yang could tell that their enthusiasm and respect came entirely from the heart, without the slightest trace of pretense.
In these chaotic times, it was President Han Yang before them who had created a haven like Revival Mall, sheltering so many people from having to worry about being inexplicably killed in their sleep, not receiving their wages, or starving to death.
He truly was their benefactor.
Before Han Yang could call for them, Zhang Dazhu and the other four Pistol Squad members had already gathered around and followed behind him.
During this period, Zhang Dazhu had become Han Yang's personal security captain. Whenever Han Yang left the core area, someone immediately notified him, and he promptly brought people over to protect him.
"Where are you going today, President Han?"
"Just taking a look around."
Han Yang strolled leisurely out of the mall and looked outside.
Inside the martial arts hall, a newly recruited batch of security personnel was training. Shouts and grunts rang out amid repeated thuds, as though the fighting was intense.
Han Yang did not go inside. Instead, he looked toward the Fuxing Supermarket beside it.
The sight immediately startled him. "This many people?"
There was even a long line outside the Fuxing Supermarket. Because it was so crowded inside, only when people left through the exit were new customers allowed in at the entrance.
The customers waiting in line were dressed in ragged clothes and looked unkempt, clearly poor people. Yet their faces were full of eager anticipation, like wealthy shoppers about to make extravagant purchases.
The last time Han Yang had come out was half a month ago. There had been plenty of people then, but nowhere near this many.
Zhang Dazhu said respectfully, "Our Fuxing Supermarket has plenty of goods, a complete selection, good quality, low prices, and fair business practices. We never cheat anyone, so of course there are lots of customers. Recently, people from other districts have even been saving up enough money to take a day off specifically to come shop at our supermarket."
Han Yang nodded slowly.
It seemed that after time to spread, the Fuxing Supermarket's reputation had truly traveled far and wide.
Next to the Fuxing Supermarket, Revival Clothing Store was similarly packed with people.
It sold cheap clothing, including secondhand items. The styles were old-fashioned, and wealthy people would not give them a second glance, but they perfectly suited the needs of the poor.
When poor people bought clothes, didn't they only care whether they were sturdy, durable, and warm enough for winter? Who cared if they looked good?
Further along, Revival Restaurant was also bustling with customers.
After getting paid each month, or whenever they had a little extra money and craved something tasty, the poor people around Revival Mall had made it a habit to occasionally treat themselves at Revival Restaurant.
After all, it was not expensive, and the food tasted decent enough.
Hearing that Han Yang had come out, Sun Gui, who was in charge of commerce, hurried over as well.
"How's the restaurant business?"
"Extremely good."
Sun Gui said modestly, "Chicken heads and chicken butts in particular have become the restaurant's signature dishes. We sell several thousand of them every day."
Han Yang was surprised. "Chicken heads and chicken butts? You sell those now?"
"We do, of course. They're cheap, they satisfy cravings, and they sell very well."
"Your old trade has really grown."
Sun Gui merely chuckled.
After looking around Revival Mall, Han Yang went to inspect Revival Streets One to Three as well.
As always, the area was bustling and prosperous.
Up ahead, several security guards in Revival Group uniforms were patrolling the streets. Han Yang recognized Li Hu at a glance and called him over.
"How has public security been lately? Why are you, a Security Department supervisor, personally patrolling the streets?"
"It's been pretty good, but a few days ago, the new leader of the Iron Wolf Gang near us was killed. The gang split into four factions that are openly and secretly fighting each other. I'm worried it might spill over to our side, so whenever I have time, I come out and make rounds myself."
"Good work. Keep it up."
Han Yang patted Li Hu on the shoulder and offered him a few words of encouragement. Li Hu's face immediately broke into a broad smile, feeling that all his hard work over this time had been worth it.
After making a full round and finding everything running smoothly, Han Yang was reassured.
Back at Revival Mall, Han Yang ordered, "Notify all core company members. Meeting at the martial arts hall at ten tonight."
"Yes."
With his computing power increased, Han Yang had more energy. It was time to expand.
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