Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 105

Compared with the actual entrepreneurial process, the BP (Business Plan) project assignment was simply too easy. In order to make the project more reasonable and easier to implement, one could often “artificially select” some ideal data to make the market prospect on paper look optimistic.

But reality is often harsh. Qi Zheng and Li Yunshan used their spare time to scout the high school they had previously selected and also visited several regular shopping spots favored by parents who lived nearby to accompany their children, hoping to increase their potential customer base. However, when they brought up the service they were about to launch, many people adopted an attitude of observation, or even fear of being cheated and immediately distanced themselves.

Li Yunshan didn’t feel embarrassed; after all, she wasn’t a fresh graduate. If you hadn’t been rejected by clients, you wouldn’t dare say you had experience in sales.

“Qi Zheng, do you think we are using the wrong entry point? Why do these parents seem completely uninterested?”

Qi Zheng took a sip of hot soup, her tongue slightly tingling.

“I actually think they are interested, but they are more cautious, so they are not expressing it yet.”

“That’s true, if they were completely uninterested, they wouldn’t even want to listen.” Li Yunshan recalled the recent interactions with the parents; some parents even asked many questions.

“They are just extending the process of making a purchasing decision, but I think there is hope.”

Qi Zheng didn’t speak with great fervor, not even a hint of an excited, encouraging tone. But her calm assertion reassured Li Yunshan.

“The BP assignment is almost finished, and after that, we just wait for the official graduation next month. If we still haven’t secured the money by then, are you planning to go to Neil?”

After three rounds of interviews, Neil Consulting had extended an offer to Qi Zheng. Although it wasn’t a management-level position, it was an extremely rare opportunity for a freshly graduated Chinese international student.

“That’s the last option. We still have one month.”

Besides the Lemon Fund and the school’s entrepreneurship competition, Qi Zheng hadn’t given up on continuing to look for opportunities to gain support. She finally understood what it meant to race against time to seize a business opportunity. Even if that so-called business opportunity was still intangible, it subconsciously became a whip that motivated her to keep striving.

As the graduation date drew nearer, more and more parents became interested in their business. Li Yunshan added these potential customers to different WeChat groups, categorized by the likelihood of conversion.

“Qi Zheng, we need to launch as soon as possible, otherwise we won’t be able to satisfy this first batch of customers.”

Indeed, a few parents who were willing to try something new and were less sensitive to price were willing to try the one-month “Companion Integration Service.” But in the US, everything costs money, and no matter how good your relationship is, you have to settle accounts when the time comes.

Without money, one cannot take a single step, and some expenses even need to be prepaid.

The Lemon Fund finally sent an email, notifying Qi Zheng that her project had been approved and would receive $500,000 in startup support, but some clauses needed to be supplemented. The results from the school’s entrepreneurship judging committee also came out, and as previously expected, they got the third prize—$80,000.

Li Yunshan was still indignant: “I have to tell myself a hundred times now: don’t get angry.”

Qi Zheng held the two notifications but wasn’t particularly happy.

“Which one are you planning to choose?”

$500,000 versus $80,000—most people would choose the Lemon Fund without hesitation. After all, in the initial stages of a startup, no one can predict future development. A little more startup capital can ensure the project survives longer.

Only by surviving can there be hope for a comeback.

“I feel like the Lemon Fund is asking for a bit too much management control.”

Under normal circumstances, angel or seed funds invest mainly because they are optimistic about the potential of the project or the capability of the entrepreneur, and they are not eager to receive short-term returns. Moreover, in this round of investment, few companies would emphasize management control.

“It is a bit strange. Currently, this company is essentially just the two of us. Does Lemon want to take half the management control because they want to share our hard work?”

Seeing Qi Zheng’s caution, Li Yunshan didn’t rush her to make a decision.

Shen Zhibing naturally also received the news. Yun Fei was waiting for her instruction.

“Ms. Shen, if we don’t act soon, Xiao Qi is likely to sign with the Lemon Fund. When there are contractual restrictions, it will be more troublesome.”

Shen Zhibing, however, was not in a hurry to let Yun Fei take action. To be precise, she seemed unconcerned this time, completely unafraid of any decision Qi Zheng might make.

“Wait a little longer. I want to see Qi Zheng’s choice.”

“It’s hard for most people to resist the contrast between $500,000 and $80,000, especially in the early stages of a startup.”

At the beginning of a business, having money is more practical than anything else.

“Most people are like that, but I want to see how different she is.”

Shen Zhibing was not one hundred percent certain, but she felt Qi Zheng would not disappoint her. She also wanted to take this opportunity to see if Qi Zheng had made progress in business acumen and judgment after completing her MBA.

Yun Fei understood Ms. Shen’s intention, but was still worried about Qi Zheng.

“This is Xiao Qi’s first time starting a business, and Lin Muyun is so calculating with this move. I’m afraid that if we intervene too late, she will fall into a passive position.”

“Lin Muyun merely wants to gain management control of the project through the seed round. When the company officially operates and requires continuous capital injection, she will demand a second round of financing. If Qi Zheng can’t deliver, she will recall the investment and drain the company directly.”

Shen Zhibing’s face was cold; she had long seen through Lin Muyun’s trick.

“This is too cruel for a young person who is just starting out.” Yun Fei knew that such malicious business tactics occurred every year, but seeing it directed at Qi Zheng still made her feel sorry for her.

“I won’t let Qi Zheng suffer this loss, but I believe she has the judgment capacity.”

Yun Fei wasn’t completely lacking confidence in Qi Zheng, but the situation was special: “She is about to graduate now, lacks startup capital, and the money from both sides is waiting for her to reply as soon as possible. I’m afraid that under pressure, she might make a hasty decision and make a mistake.”

Shen Zhibing remained calm: “If she really chooses wrong, you can just swallow the Lemon Fund for me.”

Yun Fei paused, then smiled and said, “I understand.”

Knowing that Ms. Shen had a comprehensive plan ready, Yun Fei was no longer as anxious as before. Although she felt regretful knowing Qi Zheng intended to leave Shen Corporation, she also hoped she could have better development.

Qi Zheng was under immense pressure every day, forcing her to make a decision quickly. In the eyes of many, the answer was so easy to choose, yet Qi Zheng was hesitant.

She leaned back on the sofa, resting her eyes. Several cups of coffee were on the table; she had been busy all afternoon again. The Lemon Fund, abandoning its previous calm, was inquiring every few days, as if they would give the money to another project if she didn’t decide soon.

Qi Zheng suddenly remembered what Shen Zhibing had told her a long time ago—to learn how to utilize resources. Now she not only lacked money but also some business experience.

Experience—Qi Zheng’s first thought was Boss Zhuang.

Through Zhuang Muqing’s arrangement, Qi Zheng met Boss Zhuang, who was recuperating in New York.

“I heard Ms. Shen say you were studying at B University last time. I didn’t expect you to graduate in the blink of an eye. Time flies.”

Boss Zhuang, no longer worrying about business, looked slightly better than in the past, but still had an appearance of sickness, different from a normal person.

“Thank you, Boss Zhuang and A Moon, for your care during this time. I haven’t had the chance to thank you in person.”

“I thought you had potential back then, and it’s a good thing your Ms. Shen didn’t bury you. I just didn’t expect you to start a business so quickly after finishing your studies. That’s good.”

After listening to Qi Zheng’s purpose and request for advice, Boss Zhuang didn’t make the decision for her.

“The business world is always changing rapidly. The characteristics of every market and even every period are different. My experience is nothing more than the mistakes I’ve made in the past. It won’t help your future, it can only help you avoid known pitfalls.”

Qi Zheng hadn’t expected Boss Zhuang to be so humble; she gained a lot.

“How to choose is up to you. But you must always remember what you absolutely cannot lose, and you must firmly hold onto that.”

Qi Zheng seemed to understand somewhat, but did not immediately make a decision.

That night, Qi Zheng thought about it and called Shen Zhibing again.

Knowing these business powerhouses naturally gave her the advantage of proximity, providing her with invaluable experience and unique insights that money couldn’t buy.

People who achieve these accomplishments possess abilities and perspectives different from the average person.

Shen Zhibing clearly hadn’t expected Qi Zheng to contact her proactively; her voice had an obvious fluctuation that was different from before: “I’m very glad you asked for my opinion proactively.”

“I also sought Boss Zhuang’s advice. He told me to stick to my original intention.”

After listening to Qi Zheng’s narrative and the point where she found it hardest to decide, Shen Zhibing, like Boss Zhuang, did not give a definite answer.

“This venture is yours, and all major decisions should be made by you. Others’ opinions are only for reference, and my thoughts are consistent with Boss Zhuang’s: you should choose the option that helps you maintain your self-integrity.”

Shen Zhibing could have explicitly told her about the conspiracy of the Lemon Fund and Lin Muyun, but she held back.

She knew Qi Zheng wanted to escape the Shen Corporation and her help; she was unwilling to add fetters to her wings just as she was taking off.

“Although my company is still just an idea, I don’t want to lose control.” Before ending the call, Qi Zheng let out a small laugh.

It seemed she had made her decision.

When she first heard of Qi Zheng’s entrepreneurial plans on the mountaintop, she wanted to remind her to reconsider the target customer issue. She hadn’t expected Qi Zheng to realize and correct it so quickly, which gave her more confidence in Qi Zheng’s ability.

Lin Muyun didn’t go anywhere that night, waiting for a call from the US. Today was the Lemon Fund’s final deadline for Qi Zheng’s reply. She had found people to check, and currently, the only sources of startup capital explicitly offered to Qi Zheng, besides Lemon, were the $80,000 from B University.

$80,000 versus $500,000—for a startup, the difference was huge.

She had a bottle of wine beside her, already waiting for Qi Zheng to take the bait.

The agreed time passed, and she still hadn’t received the call from the US. Lin Muyun picked up her phone and checked it several times.

Finally, Amy’s call came, but it wasn’t the congratulation she expected.

“What did you say? Qi Zheng refused?”

Amy had just received the notification from Brown and was momentarily stunned. After confirming again, she called Lin Muyun.

After listening to the explanation, Lin Muyun’s face completely darkened: “This Brown is useless! I spent so much effort and time laying the groundwork, and the result is that Qi Zheng still got away. If the amount wasn’t attractive enough, she could have totally asked me to add more!”

Amy was equally frustrated on the other end of the phone: “This isn’t about money, the problem is that Qi Zheng completely defies convention. She wasn’t rejecting the money for being too little; otherwise, she wouldn’t have accepted the $80,000 from B University.”

This made Lin Muyun even angrier. She rejected $500,000, yet was satisfied with a mere $80,000—this indignation was even harder to swallow.

“Then let her taste the bitterness of having no money!”