From Wage Slave to Tycoon

Chapter 131: Chapter 105: Vast Sea Group

Xilinhot. Yunhe Hotel.

"Boss, I’m sorry. I failed in my duty this time," Zong Xinyao said, standing nearby with a somber expression.

Su Chen waved his hand, gesturing for her to sit. "This wasn’t your fault. I was the one who oversimplified things."

After what had happened, Su Chen had come to a realization. ’I’ve been too blindly confident!’

Ever since getting the system, everything had been smooth sailing for Su Chen. No matter where he went, people were always fawning over him, and he had gradually started to lose himself.

’I was starting to feel like money could solve anything.’

’Thankfully, I always plan for the worst-case scenario. That’s the only reason things didn’t get more complicated.’

’Live and learn, I guess. At least I won’t make the same mistake again.’

"How are things with the livestock company coming along?" Su Chen asked, leaning back on the sofa and gently pinching the bridge of his nose.

Hearing Su Chen ask about the livestock company, Zong Xinyao’s spirits lifted considerably.

"Boss, the initial integration is complete. All the relevant agreements have been signed. We’re ready to go whenever you are!"

After a moment’s hesitation, she looked at him with unwavering determination and said, "Boss, I want to be in charge of this project!"

"Hmm?" The movement of Su Chen’s hand stilled. He gave Zong Xinyao a surprised glance.

"What’s this? Trying to pick yourself up right where you fell?"

He knew she had taken a huge fall on this matter. Su Chen had later asked Xiao Peng for the details and learned just how perilous the situation had been; any misstep could have sparked a massive conflict.

’So Zong Xinyao feels like she suffered a defeat and wants a chance to prove herself?’

"Boss, I hope you’ll give me this chance!" Zong Xinyao pleaded, bowing slightly.

Su Chen was silent for a long moment before he spoke. "Alright. The project is yours. I look forward to seeing your results!"

"Don’t worry, Boss. I definitely won’t let you down!"

The project itself was actually quite simple. The most critical component was the raw material supply—the livestock from Dongwu Banner, such as Wuzhumuqin sheep and cattle. With a stable supply base, future development would be much easier. As long as they were willing to spend the money, the restaurant division could be established quickly.

The only things left to consider were how to expand into the market and how to build the brand’s reputation.

"How much startup capital do you need?"

"Boss, this is the business plan I wrote. Please take a look," Zong Xinyao said, pulling a stack of documents from her bag.

He took the documents and glanced at them. The stack was about seventeen or eighteen pages long. It looked like a lot of work had gone into this plan.

"Well, damn. You really came prepared, didn’t you?" Su Chen said, then began to read.

He spent nearly twenty minutes on it, reading through the proposal twice before finally setting it down.

The business plan was incredibly detailed. It not only outlined the company’s early, middle, and late-stage development but also included market research for various locations. It even had well-thought-out strategies for regional expansion and adapting to local conditions. It was clear she had poured her heart into this plan.

The plan also addressed funding. It required a total of 150 million, 60 million of which was for consolidating the livestock market in Dongwu Banner.

The bulk of that money was for purchasing livestock from the herdsmen. To put it simply, it was to show the herdsmen the financial strength of their company—that they had the capital to take over the entire Dongwu Banner market, which would put the herdsmen’s minds at ease.

"Will ninety million be enough for your subsequent expansion?" Su Chen asked, looking puzzled.

"Yes, Boss. I plan to establish the brand in major first-tier cities first, then expand to second-tier cities. By then, we can use the profits from the first-tier cities to fund our expansion into the second-tier markets!"

"Hmm... right. Where did you get the money for the herdsmen? Did you draw it from Yunmengze?"

Zong Xinyao looked a little sheepish. "I haven’t paid them yet. You told me to come to you, didn’t you, Boss? So I came to find you as soon as I had the agreements signed!"

Su Chen almost laughed. ’So, Zong Xinyao had this all planned out from the start. First, admit her mistake. Then, volunteer to take charge of the project. And finally, come to me for the money. It was all a step-by-step plan.’

"Hmph. If only you’d put as much thought into the project as you do into these little schemes!" Su Chen said with lighthearted exasperation.

Seeing that Su Chen had seen right through her little scheme, Zong Xinyao didn’t show the slightest bit of shame. Instead, she grinned cheekily and said, "Aren’t I just trying to ease your burdens, Boss?"

Su Chen didn’t say anything more, just smiled and shook his head.

He pulled out his phone to check his balance. Still over seven hundred million.

After buying the private jet in Paris, Su Chen’s balance had been exactly five hundred million. The extra two hundred million or so was from the system’s earnings, which had been deposited a couple of days ago.

After tapping on his phone for a moment, a sum of 150 million was transferred from Su Chen’s account to the newly established group’s account.

Speaking of which, it’s worth mentioning the structure of this new group. In addition to the initially formed livestock company, it also included a newly established food service company. After much deliberation, Su Chen had decided to name the group "Vast Sea."

The Vast Sea Group had only two shareholders: Su Chen and Yunmengze Capital.

A moment later, Zong Xinyao received a call from the finance department informing her that the funds had arrived.

Vast Sea Group’s current employees were the same elite team Zong Xinyao had brought with her from Shanghai. The entire corporate framework was already in place, and they had even spent several million to purchase a building in Xilinhot to serve as the group’s temporary headquarters.

"Boss, I’ve finished my report, so I’ll be heading out. I need to get to Dongwu Banner and make good on the promises I made to the herdsmen!" Gone was her earlier mood; Zong Xinyao was now absolutely beaming.

"Mm. I don’t care about the process, I only want results. In six months, I expect an impressive report from you."

"Yes!"

Just as Zong Xinyao was about to get up and leave, a thought occurred to her, and she quickly sat back down.

"Hmm? Is there something else?" Su Chen asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Ahem... Boss, I was wondering if you could let me have Xiao Peng. While we were handling things in Dongwu Banner, I discovered he’s a real talent. He’s methodical and logical in his approach. The group is just starting out, and we desperately need people like him. What do you think...?"

Su Chen hadn’t expected Zong Xinyao to have such a high opinion of Xiao Peng. ’But her words sound a bit like a jab at me...’

He shot Zong Xinyao a look and said in a flat tone, "Are you implying that having Xiao Peng as my bodyguard is a waste of his talents?"

Zong Xinyao jumped. She shot up from the sofa and quickly explained, "Boss, that’s not what I meant! I was just saying..."

Before she could finish, Su Chen raised a hand to cut her off. "It’s fine. Old Jiang, bring Xiao Peng in."

Standing nearby like a statue, Jiang Hui instantly came to life at Su Chen’s words. He gave a soft grunt of acknowledgment, strode out of the room, and returned a moment later with Xiao Peng.

"Sir. President Zong." Xiao Peng was a little confused, not sure why he had been called in.

Su Chen looked at Xiao Peng. "Zong Xinyao says you’re a real talent and wants to poach you for her team. I called you in to ask what you think about it."

Hearing this, a flash of excitement appeared in Xiao Peng’s eyes, but then he remembered his role as a bodyguard. For a moment, he was at a loss.

"Sir, I..."

Xiao Peng had barely spoken before Su Chen cut him off. "Don’t worry about what I think. Ask yourself what you truly want. If you want to go to Vast Sea Group with Zong Xinyao, then you’ll follow her from now on. What kind of future you can build for yourself will be entirely up to you."

After a moment of silence, Xiao Peng’s voice rang out. "Sir, I want to take this chance."

Following Su Chen might broaden his horizons and let him see a different side of the world, but ultimately, that was all something granted by Su Chen. Xiao Peng was an ambitious man; that much was clear from the moment he had eagerly agreed to become Su Chen’s bodyguard.

He was smart and driven. His ambition was to provide a better life for himself and his family. His character was completely trustworthy; otherwise, Xiao Chen would never have recommended him and Chen Fei for the bodyguard positions in the first place.

Su Chen nodded. He turned to Zong Xinyao. "He’s a talent, so train him well. Alright, you can take him and go."

Zong Xinyao left with Xiao Peng. Su Chen even had them leave one of the G-Wagens they had driven over for her. After all, a car would make getting around more convenient, and it would help her keep up appearances.

"Sir, why is Xiao Peng packing his things and leaving? Did he do something wrong...?" Chen Fei asked, walking in with a nervous look on his face.

Seeing Chen Fei’s nervous expression, Su Chen smiled. "I was just about to look for you. Have a seat."

Though very confused, Chen Fei obediently sat down on the sofa.

"A while ago, Xiao Peng went with Zong Xinyao to handle the matter in Dongwu Banner, and it turns out, she took a liking to him..."

"What? President Zong has her eyes on Xiao Peng? But she’s in her thirties, and he’s only twenty-three! Isn’t that robbing the cradle?" Chen Fei blurted out, not knowing if his brain had short-circuited or if he had just lost his mind.

Hearing this, Su Chen could almost imagine a flock of crows flying over his head.

Noticing Su Chen’s expression darken, Chen Fei immediately slapped himself on the mouth a few times.

Watching him, Su Chen heaved a long sigh. "I’m genuinely curious, is your mind always in the gutter? When I said she ’took a liking’ to him, I meant she thinks he’s a talent who can be trained for a senior management position, not that she was ’robbing the cradle’!"

Hearing Su Chen’s explanation, Chen Fei scratched his head, embarrassed.

"Sorry, Sir. I got the wrong idea."

"Do you have any thoughts on the matter? Would you want to go to the new group and give it a try, like Xiao Peng?" Su Chen asked, feigning a casual tone, though a flicker in his eyes betrayed his interest.

He expected Chen Fei to think it over, but the moment the words left his mouth, Chen Fei was already shaking his head like a rattle.

"No thanks, Sir. I think staying by your side is the best place for me."

Seeing the determined look on Chen Fei’s face, Su Chen didn’t press the issue. He stood up, walked toward his room, and patted Chen Fei’s shoulder as he passed.

"Pack your things. We’re heading back to the Imperial Capital first thing tomorrow morning."