Chapter 17

Chapter Seventeen: The Big Fish Eats the Small Fish

Liu Yishan was a laid-off worker. Following the advice of his relatives in the provincial capital, he opened an internet cafe in the Lantou Special Zone, but he could only afford to buy six computers by selling all his possessions. However, business was good, and not only did he recoup his investment in just one year, but he also added two more computers. Now, he makes several thousand yuan in profit every month, enough to cover daily expenses and even pay for his daughter's university education.

Liu Yishan had planned to support his daughter through her university years with the internet cafe and then sell it to enjoy his retirement. However, all his dreams were shattered when the "Chufeng Net City" opened across the street.

Initially, Liu Yishan was not too worried when "Chufeng Net City" opened. Although there was a new competitor, the demand for computers was high, and the number of people coming to play games far exceeded the number of computers available. Therefore, he was not concerned that "Chufeng Net City" would take his business.

In the first month after "Chufeng Net City" opened, Liu Yishan's internet cafe's income was almost the same as the previous month, and it was not affected by the new competitor. This made Liu Yishan relax his guard.

However, from the second month, his business began to decline sharply. Especially after "Chufeng Net City" introduced "Age of Empires" and "StarCraft," his business became even worse. Students who used to play at his place now preferred to wait for a computer at the other place rather than play at his cafe. Unable to contain his curiosity, Liu Yishan secretly visited "Chufeng Net City" and realized that it was indeed superior to his own.

"Chufeng Net City" had fresh air, good lighting, and ample space, making it feel lively. In contrast, his place was small, the air was murky due to constant smoking, and the lighting was poor. If he were a customer, he would also choose "Chufeng Net City" over his small internet cafe.

To attract customers, Liu Yishan had already reduced the hourly rate from 3 yuan to 1 yuan, but it did not help. This left him feeling helpless and at a loss.

Sigh, his daughter still has one more year before she graduates! —— Watching the new computers being added across the street, Liu Yishan felt extremely distressed. He knew that it would be difficult to sustain his business for another year.

"Is Mr. Liu here?" A young voice came from outside.

"That's me. Aren't you the owner of 'Chufeng Net City'?" Liu Yishan was surprised and instinctively felt that something was wrong.

"Hehe, no, I just came to visit." Lin Feng smiled and gestured for Liu Yishan to sit down and talk.

Lin Feng's actions made Liu Yishan frown slightly. After all, he was the owner, and Lin Feng was just a guest. This reversal of roles made Liu Yishan a bit uncomfortable, but as a middle-aged man, he did not show it.

Lin Feng realized he might have been a bit too forward but did not mind too much. With "Chufeng Net City" becoming the dominant player in the Lantou Special Zone, these small internet cafes would eventually be swallowed up or shut down. This sense of superiority was natural and reflected a change in Lin Feng's mindset.

In the Lantou Special Zone, Lin Feng was the big fish, and Liu Yishan and other small internet cafe owners were the small fish. The big fish naturally felt superior to the small fish, and the big fish was meant to eat the small fish. Today, Lin Feng came to prepare for the big fish to eat the small fish.

"How is your business, Mr. Liu?" Lin Feng knew this question might be uncomfortable, but he had to ask to set the stage for the next topic.

"It's... still okay!" Liu Yishan's face was stiff, and he silently cursed, "Can't you see how business is just by looking?"

"Hehe, Mr. Liu, I didn't come here for nothing. I'll be straightforward." Lin Feng did not want to beat around the bush and did not need to. "What do you think about the future prospects?"

Liu Yishan stared at Lin Feng for a while, maintaining his composure. "Mr. Lin, please speak your mind."

"Mr. Liu, I'll be blunt." Lin Feng, being young and ambitious, had never been in such a high position before, and his tone was a bit overbearing.

"Mr. Liu, I believe you understand the current situation of internet cafes in the Lantou Special Zone. 'Chufeng Net City' will dominate, and we will continue to add new computers in the coming months. Your business will become even worse." Realizing his tone was a bit too aggressive, Lin Feng looked at Liu Yishan's expressionless face and continued.

"Have you considered cooperation?" Lin Feng's proposal made Liu Yishan lose his usual composure and look at Lin Feng in surprise, unsure what the young man meant by cooperation.

"What do you mean, Mr. Lin?" Liu Yishan could not help but ask.

"Move all your computers to my 'Chufeng Net City.' The computers will still belong to you, but I will manage them. I will give you 720 yuan per computer per month." Lin Feng calmly stated his acquisition plan.

Liu Yishan quickly calculated that 720 yuan per computer per month was equivalent to 1 yuan per hour, the same as his current rate. It seemed like a good deal.

After careful consideration, Liu Yishan realized that Lin Feng's proposal was indeed beneficial. First, his business was already poor, and even at 1 yuan per hour, few people came to play. Second, Lin Feng would give him 720 yuan per computer per month, saving him electricity, rent, and internet fees, which were significant expenses. Third, by entrusting the computers to Lin Feng, he could sit at home and collect money. With 8 computers, he would earn 5,760 yuan per month, enough to cover his daughter's university expenses and allow him and his wife to live comfortably.

However, his years of experience told him that there was no such thing as a free lunch. Lin Feng would not be so kind as to offer such a generous deal. Moreover, Lin Feng, who looked to be in his early twenties, might have ulterior motives.

Liu Yishan hesitated for a long time but did not dare to agree to Lin Feng's seemingly generous proposal.

"Mr. Liu, what do you think of my proposal?" Lin Feng did not know what Liu Yishan was thinking, but the key to his plan to swallow up the small fish was Liu Yishan.

Could he have seen through my plan and want to stop me? —— Lin Feng could not help but worry. His proposal was definitely beneficial to the internet cafe owners, but he feared that they might be jealous of his success and prefer to lose money rather than let him take over, which would be disastrous.

Lin Feng had to admit that there were many people in China who would rather not make money than see others profit. If any of the internet cafe owners were like that, it would be detrimental to his plan. The key to overcoming this jealousy was Liu Yishan.

Lin Feng had investigated Liu Yishan's background and knew that he had a daughter in university, and all the family expenses were covered by the internet cafe. Liu Yishan was the most desperate for money and the least likely to act out of spite. If he could win over Liu Yishan, when he proposed the cooperation plan, Liu Yishan's leadership would ensure that no one would oppose it.

Therefore, the success of Lin Feng's plan to swallow up the small fish depended entirely on Liu Yishan. But would Liu Yishan agree?