Free Web NovelChapter 280: Chapter 212: Next Time, I Want to Sit on the Rostrum
In the end, it hadn’t turned into a major fiasco. The school had discovered it early, shut it down, and refunded the money. Still, the close call had given more than a few people a cold sweat.
If that had gone bust, a lot of people would have been in for a world of hurt.
With these thoughts in mind, Kong Qi quickly replied, "The school doesn’t have an explicit rule against it, but I think you should still give us a heads-up. Go ahead and write up an application."
Follow procedure.
’If something goes wrong, it won’t have much to do with me.’
Lu Ming was momentarily speechless at his words, then gave a wry laugh.
"It’s that much trouble?"
"Then forget it."
"We’re all adults here. Even for undergrads, it’s pretty normal to start a business together while in school, right? And we’re in an MBA program, but we still need the school’s approval?"
"Peking University... a little conservative, huh?"
He was getting annoyed.
Really annoyed.
It was one thing for his bet with Lin Chu to be rejected, but now an even more brilliant plan was on the table, and he still had to apply to the school?
Apply my ass.
’Stupid fucking school.’
Those three words, "a little conservative," stung Kong Qi.
He took a deep breath. Although he maintained a polite expression, his tone hardened. "A startup is a startup. Social practice is social practice. There’s no in-between."
"If you want to pull people in for a startup, that’s perfectly normal. Just go through the official business registration process. The school has no say in that."
"But if you want to conduct a social practice activity, especially on a school platform, then you must apply."
"Understand?"
Lu Ming saw that Lin Chu was still smiling with no intention of objecting. Hearing Kong Qi’s rigid stance, he grinned and clapped him on the shoulder. "Hey now, relax. Why are you getting angry? Fine, I’ll just do my own thing. A proper startup, organized privately. Heh, I shouldn’t have even mentioned it to you. I’m just too honest."
Kong Qi: ...?
’Are people from Peng City all this... slick?’
It was his first time being an advisor for an MBA class here. He had always worked within the ivory tower and had never encountered such a slick operator from the real world before.
Sensing Kong Qi’s discomfort, Lin Chu chimed in with a smile. "Don’t worry, Lu Ming’s my boy. His family owns several buildings—he’s a bona fide rich kid. He’s just looking to have some fun; he won’t cause any major trouble. Hey, why don’t you join in? There shouldn’t be any problem with a university professor doing business, right? You’re in a prime position, after all."
"We’ll cap it at ten thousand per person, no additional investments, for a two-year term. If it loses money, I’ll personally guarantee a full reimbursement."
One brother lit the fire, the other fanned the flames.
Lin Chu suddenly found this to be a lot of fun.
’He didn’t get to mess around like this in undergrad. Why not now?’
Kong Qi stared at the two of them, dumbfounded. His sharp Adam’s apple bobbed. For a moment... he was actually tempted.
’If Lin Chu was putting it that way, then maybe... there really wasn’t a problem.’
’Who doesn’t want to make money?’
’Besides, the investment wasn’t much. If they actually succeeded, the big shots would get the lion’s share, but he could still get a small taste.’
’Even, looking at the bigger picture, this could potentially pioneer a new model for the MBA program.’
—An entire class as a single team, working together on one project for two years.
That was far more advanced than just simple lectures and study tours.
Of course, it could also fail—and the probability wasn’t small. But with someone like Lin Chu leading the charge, even if he called it just messing around, once things got started, he wouldn’t let it end in an ugly failure, if only for the sake of his own reputation.
"Let me think it over. I’ll report your idea in person to the university leadership in charge. Do you have a specific business idea right now? Who’s responsible for this?"
Kong Qi said seriously, asking an additional question.
"Lu Ming is in charge, of course."
"But I can drum up support."
Lin Chu said with a smile.
Lu Ming nodded. "Yep, me."
’I’ll charge ahead, and Brother Chu will cover my back, commanding from the rear!’
’What a great brother. So reliable!’
"Great. In that case, Student Lu Ming, come with me. We’ll go report it right now. We can catch the administrator in charge while he’s here; he’s heading back to the Capital City tonight."
Kong Qi said immediately.
"No problem! Let’s go!"
Full of excitement, Lu Ming grabbed him and started walking.
Lin Chu laughed. "Good luck!"
’This is getting interesting.’
’If we’re gonna play, let’s play.’
Ten thousand per person... forget sixty people, even if only thirty joined, that would still be 300,000.
Lin Chu was curious to see what kind of spectacular show they could put on.
For him, making money was secondary.
It was about the people.
Once they put money in, no matter how little, they would all become a community of common interest.
...
Hao Wenhua was currently taking photos with a few students. He was a professor of economics at Peking University and one of its vice principals; the MBA program fell under his purview.
As Kong Qi led Lu Ming over, he couldn’t help but ask in a low voice, "So, what specific project are you planning to do?"
The question actually stumped Lu Ming.
It was a decision made on a whim; how could he have thought about what project to do?
’E-commerce, obviously.’
’Just sell stuff.’
’Do some livestreams.’
’What couldn’t we sell?’
That was Lu Ming’s subconscious train of thought, but he knew that answer wouldn’t fly. So, he just kept smiling and said, "That’s a trade secret, Brother Kong. Allow me to keep it confidential for now."
Seeing his confident demeanor, and with Lin Chu’s endorsement, Kong Qi hesitated for a moment before deciding to trust him for the time being.
’After all, the guy’s a rich kid. Who knows, maybe he really does have some high-quality arbitrage project lined up?’
The most profitable business in the world was, naturally, built on information asymmetry.
Even though the internet had eliminated many information gaps, they still existed where it mattered. The thresholds and barriers to entry were just getting higher and higher.
"Principal Hao, do you have a moment? There’s a work matter I need to report to you."
Once the students finished taking their pictures with Hao Wenhua, Kong Qi seized the opportunity and stepped in at just the right moment.
