Chapter 18: Borrowing a Chicken to Lay an Egg

"Mr. Liu, what do you think I need you to do?" Although Liu Yishan did not know what Lin Feng was planning, as a middle-aged man, he always sought stability and peace, and would not easily make a decision. This was both his strength and his weakness.

Lin Feng smiled faintly. His plan to have the big fish eat the small fish had four objectives.

First, to吞并零散网吧壮大自身，加快初期发展速度。

Second, to stabilize the internet cafe prices in the Lantian Special Zone. If they continued to lower their prices, Lin Feng would not be able to withstand the pressure. The price of "Chu Feng Net City" would have to drop, and for every yuan decrease, the profit would drop by 30%, which Lin Feng could not accept at the moment. Therefore, he had to merge with them to prevent them from disrupting the normal market order.

Third, to form a community of interests. The growth of "Chu Feng Net City" would inevitably attract the envy of many. Although Lin Feng and Chu Zhixuan had already smoothed things over with the Industry and Commerce Bureau and the Tax Bureau, Lin Feng was afraid that some minor figures might cause trouble. By pulling these internet cafe owners into his fold, they would collectively brainstorm and find solutions to any problems, and having more people would mean more options.

Fourth, Lin Feng was also afraid that these internet cafe owners would unite to resist his "Chu Feng Net City." If they joined forces, they could connect all the internet cafes with just a few network cables, which would be a big problem for Lin Feng.

"Mr. Liu, tomorrow I will invite all the internet cafe owners in the area to a meeting. I hope you can take the lead in supporting my cooperation proposal," Lin Feng said, fearing that Liu Yishan might hesitate. He added another incentive, "Of course, to show my gratitude to Mr. Liu, after the cooperation is successful, I will give you 800 yuan per computer per month as a dividend."

Liu Yishan was tempted. No one would refuse money, especially Liu Yishan, who needed it. With 800 yuan per computer per month, his eight computers would generate 6,400 yuan a month, and he would earn 6,400 yuan without doing anything. There was no such good deal in the world.

However, the caution typical of middle-aged people made Liu Yishan hesitate for a long time before nodding in agreement. Once he decided to agree to Lin Feng's proposal, Liu Yishan felt a sense of relief. The internet cafe business had been declining, causing him great anxiety. Now that the problem was solved, even though it seemed like he was being taken over, as long as he could make money, it didn't matter whether he was the boss or not. The most important thing was to endure until his daughter graduated from university.

Next, Lin Feng invited the other seven owners to "Chu Feng Net City" the next day for a meeting to discuss the future of the internet cafe industry in the Lantian Special Zone. The other seven internet cafe owners almost immediately agreed to Lin Feng's invitation, as the current situation was too strong for them to resist. "Chu Feng Net City" was clearly dominant, and they had no choice but to agree.

The next day, the eight internet cafe owners arrived at "Chu Feng Net City" on time.

"Putting on airs!" Each of the eight owners muttered to themselves.

Lin Feng ignored their muttering and secretly enjoyed it. To welcome today's gathering, he had spent money to add many flowers and potted plants to "Chu Feng Net City," making it a unique and fragrant place. If one didn't look at the students who were in the middle of intense battles, it didn't look like an internet cafe but rather a unique and charming literary bar. "Chu Feng Net City" was absolutely not something they could resist.

"Gentlemen, I invited you here today to discuss the future development and prospects of the internet cafes in the Lantian Special Zone," Lin Feng's voice brought the owners' attention back.

"Mr. Lin, speak your mind," the group exchanged glances and waited for Lin Feng to continue.

"Ha ha, what do you think of my 'Chu Feng Net City'?" Before the meeting, Lin Feng had decided to be more assertive today. Being too weak would only make people look down on him. He now had the qualifications to be assertive and needed to have the right attitude. Of course, these insights were from the business strategy book he had been reading recently.

One's status determines one's worldview and values. A person with a fortune of a hundred million would never have the same worldview as a beggar. This was not about being humble or arrogant, but about having the right presence. As a leader, one must have the presence of a leader.

The internet cafe owners exchanged glances, their eyes revealing a mix of anger and helplessness. It was clear to anyone that "Chu Feng Net City" was far superior to their small internet cafes in both hardware and software. Lin Feng's words were indeed a bit bullying.

Lin Feng knew his words might offend people, but today's negotiation was crucial for "Chu Feng Net City" to enter a period of rapid development. He had to overwhelm them with his presence and make them feel that their future was bleak and that a merger was the only option.

Next, Lin Feng took out eight contracts, detailing the benefits and contributions of both parties in this merger.

Time passed, and the owners carefully read every word and clause in the contract, calculating the profits and costs they would incur.

Lin Feng did not rush them, waiting calmly for them to review the contract, with an attitude of signing or not signing as they pleased. However, although he appeared relaxed, he was actually quite nervous. This was his first time facing a negotiation and acquisition, and despite his thorough preparation, he could not avoid feeling anxious.

"I absolutely cannot agree to this cooperation plan," the thing Lin Feng feared most still happened. The first person to stand up in opposition was the wealthiest of the internet cafe owners, whose internet cafe had 12 computers.

"Yes, you only give us 1 yuan per hour for each computer, while you earn 2 yuan. This is too unfair. It should be split 50-50," the others chimed in.

Lin Feng felt a wave of displeasure, secretly cursing their greed. They wouldn't have to pay for electricity or rent, and they wouldn't have to worry about the business. They could just sit at home and collect money. On the other hand, it seemed that Lin Feng was merging their internet cafes and using their computers to earn 3 yuan per hour, giving them 1 yuan in dividends, but he would also bear more costs. After careful calculation, the profit distribution would be 60-40, with Lin Feng taking 60% and they taking 40%.

"Gentlemen, you should be clear that your current earnings are not even 1 yuan per hour, right?" Lin Feng suppressed his displeasure and smiled.

"Uh..." The owners knew Lin Feng was right, but they were reluctant to be indirectly taken over.

"No, give us 2 yuan per computer, or we would rather break than bend," the type of person Lin Feng feared, who would harm others without benefiting themselves, still appeared.

Give you 2 yuan in dividends? You must be crazy. — Lin Feng cursed in his heart.

"Gentlemen, we all run internet cafes to make money, not to fight. I hope you will consider this carefully," Lin Feng said, ignoring the person and trying to persuade them.

The group fell into deep thought, considering whether Lin Feng's proposal was worthwhile.

Indeed, Lin Feng's cooperation plan had a bit of a hidden agenda, but it was an open and transparent one. He openly told the eight owners that he wanted to merge their internet cafes, and they had no way to resist.

Seeing that the group was somewhat swayed, Lin Feng secretly signaled to Liu Yishan.

"Swish, swish, swish!" Liu Yishan had already agreed to Lin Feng's cooperation plan and, now receiving the signal, had no reason to hesitate. For Liu Yishan, as long as he could make money and endure until his daughter graduated from university, it didn't matter whether he was the boss or not.

"Old Liu!" The others were surprised that Liu Yishan signed so quickly. In their minds, Liu Yishan was always a steady and cautious person.

"Gentlemen, Mr. Lin is right. We are here to make money, not to fight. Our prices are already so low that we barely make a profit, and business is still bad. Mr. Lin's cooperation plan is not bad. We don't have to worry about the business every day and can just sit at home and collect money. Why not?" Liu Yishan's words struck a chord with the others. They opened internet cafes to make money, not to fight over empty fame.

"Alright, Mr. Lin, I agree too." With Liu Yishan leading the way, the others also signed their names. As for the person who had raised objections, seeing that everyone had signed, he had no choice but to sign as well. After all, one couldn't fight with money, could they?

"Alright, gentlemen, we will meet again in a year. I will transfer the money to your accounts on time every month." Lin Feng breathed a sigh of relief. This successful signing would be a key opportunity for "Chu Feng Net City" to enter a period of rapid development.