Chapter 0351: Money to Spare When Needed, Regret When It's Gone

It must be admitted that the mindset of remaining unperturbed by favor or disgrace, indifferent to the blooming and withering of flowers in the rear courtyard, rarely appears in young people. Often, eager to prove themselves, many start working frantically right after college graduation, trying to demonstrate their abilities to those around them.

Tan Kaixuan was probably that kind of person. So in the days after the semester started, this guy frantically began urging Zhao Fusheng, trying to convince him to start a business together again.

"Look at you, you're free anyway. We don't have many classes now, and we still have some money left. Why not do something?" Tan Kaixuan said to Zhao Fusheng with a serious face.

Zhao Fusheng looked at him helplessly: "I say, aren't you tired?"

"Not at all." Tan Kaixuan chuckled. "Look, my parents aren't like Wang's parents. They'd be happy if I learned something from you. Even if we lose this money, it's okay; at least we'll gain experience. Um, last time in Shanghai you said e-commerce has potential. How about we do that now? I think with your Wo123 helping with promotion, it should work..."

Apparently, after Zhao Fusheng told him about it last time, this guy actually seriously studied e-commerce.

Zhao Fusheng rolled his eyes: "Bro, this is the era of internet development. E-commerce has good prospects, but it requires burning money—lots of it. Not to mention our small amount, even if we add your parents' money, it's not enough."

He was telling the truth. The e-commerce sector is not as easy as outsiders think. Simply put, whether it's Alibaba or JD.com, they only considered e-commerce after reaching a certain scale and having a large amount of funds.

He wasn't that Mr. Ma who doesn't like money. That guy started his business in September last year, got five million dollars in investment in October, and this year got 20 million in venture capital from SoftBank. Zhao Fusheng knew his own limits.

Thinking of this, Zhao Fusheng glanced at the somewhat unconvinced Tan Kaixuan and said calmly: "At least five million US dollars, otherwise, don't even think about getting involved in e-commerce now."

He meant it. Burning money was something Zhao Fusheng wouldn't do lightly, at least not until he had enough capital. He wouldn't casually touch those industries.

Although he knew those things were profitable, knowing and being able to do are two different things.

Doing what one likes is everyone's freedom, because it brings happiness. Zhao Fusheng didn't want to become a slave to money; he just wanted to earn some money simply.

"So you mean, we do something in the real economy?"

Tan Kaixuan blinked and asked Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng looked helpless: "Did I owe you in a past life? I..."

Before he finished, he laughed himself. Damn, it really seemed he owed this guy too much in a past life.

"What are you laughing at?" Tan Kaixuan asked, puzzled.

Zhao Fusheng waved his hand: "Nothing. You're right, I am considering doing something in the real economy, just haven't figured out what yet."

That was the truth. Choosing a project seemed simple but actually required a lot of consideration. Even Zhao Fusheng, as a reborn person, had to think carefully. China is an official-oriented society; most good projects are related to government departments. Or rather, local governments often adopt policy support to promote project development for political achievements. In the real economy, as long as you start early, there's profit to be made.

"Alright, then think it over. I'm going out to get something to eat. The only bad thing about Ninghai is there's no KFC." Tan Kaixuan muttered and turned to walk out of the dorm.

"Hmm?"

Zhao Fusheng was stunned for a moment, a nearly whimsical thought flashing through his mind.

What if he opened a fast-food restaurant?

Sitting in the dormitory, Zhao Fusheng thought carefully. Tan Kaixuan's few words were like a ray of light suddenly illuminating the darkness. Zhao Fusheng instantly realized that he could go into fast food.

KFC!

Thinking of that white-bearded old man, a smile crept onto Zhao Fusheng's lips. If he remembered correctly, by 2015, KFC's franchise fee alone would be five million, and general districts and counties wouldn't even allow franchising. To open a KFC in a second-tier city would cost at least ten million.

But now, in the year 2000, KFC had only been in the Chinese market for thirteen years. The franchise fee shouldn't be too high. More importantly, if he wasn't mistaken, Ninghai didn't have a KFC yet. The first KFC wouldn't appear until around 2004, and from then on, the KFC near the department store would remain incredibly popular. In his previous life, Zhao Fusheng had once taken an order from them and met the mysterious owner.

According to that owner, he officially opened in the spring of 2004 and recouped his costs within the year.

"Ninghai is too small, with so few places for consumption. This thing, though it's Western fast food, the key is its novelty. Young people and kids love to eat it..."

After drinking too much, that owner had revealed many tricks of the trade, which Zhao Fusheng had previously forgotten. After all, since his rebirth, he hadn't seen a KFC even once, so naturally, he hadn't thought of this.

Now, reminded by Tan Kaixuan, Zhao Fusheng recalled this and felt it seemed like a feasible path.

"Hmm, the franchise fee is a problem..." Frowning, Zhao Fusheng thought of a troublesome issue.

He currently had at most just over a million, and even with Tan Kaixuan, it wouldn't exceed two million. But the franchise fee for a KFC franchise store was itself a considerable sum, not to mention the costs for store rental and employee expenses. Zhao Fusheng suddenly felt that he was apparently very short of money.

"What to do..." Rubbing his chin, Zhao Fusheng was now a bit worried.

As they say, you only regret not having read enough when you need knowledge. The same goes for money. Many people always say they pursue dreams and regard money as dirt, but that's because they've never truly faced a time when they needed money.

Ideals are certainly beautiful, but people still have to live. You can't have your wife and children crying for food while you're still chasing dreams.

Sentiment is fine, but life should be a bit more realistic. Money can save lives; sentiment cannot.

Sighing, Zhao Fusheng now suddenly wanted to ask Boss Ma if he could get an advance on some dividends.

Hesitating for a moment, he took out his phone, thought about it, and put it back down.

For one thing, among the people he knew, Chen the Rich and Boss Ma were still in their startup phase. The only one who could mobilize funds was probably Zheng Yao.

But the problem was, Zheng Yao would probably rather die than take out money for Zhao Fusheng to open some KFC.

For a moment, Zhao Fusheng sat there, not knowing what to do.