The trio descend from their car and almost drop their jaw.
"This is magnificent. Why don't we know there's an actual Ao Dynasty palace in Beiling?"
"My grandfather."
They nodded in unison, Beiling Nie's family is basically a local boss. Whatever they say goes. If they don't want people to know something, it's almost impossible for others to find out.
"But why did you bring us here? Do you need publicity or something?" Rachel was the second to ask questions after Sunny.
"It's a bribe. I need your help."
"You call us to a place with a historical significance to what? Forge the paper and deceive the law? I don't even have my degree yet; you can call my brothers."
Linzhi rolled her eyes at Andrea's statement, "Of course not; it's my late grandmother's ancestral home. She is the daughter of Beiling's last warlord in the Ao Dynasty. Our document is proper and just. My grandpa just doesn't want people to ruin the place."
The trio knew the place was authentic by the way Linzhi's grandpa protected it from scarcity, but they didn't expect it to have such a background. People always joked that Nie's family was of noble descent, but who would've thought it was the truth?
"My grandpa lend me this place in exchange for my entire asset, everything. So keep in mind that yours truly is broke," Linzhi explained with emphasis on the last word, finally earning her best friend's focus back. "I will film drama using this place as a setting, and I know the drama will be a hit. Don't question how I know it; I just knew, okay?" She interrupted Rachel before she asked anything.
"The pressing matter is I need to maximize my profit; one way to do it is to stream it on my own platform. I already buy a tech start-up, but I don't know anything about it. I need your help to build the platform, Sunny."
"I'm an engineer, not a programmer."
"You just decided to be a material engineer to work in heavy industry and make weaponry, I know you like coding. Besides, my script includes some war and explosive scenes, so you can bring your invention. I got to save my budget and you got to have fun."
Not waiting for Sunny to answer, she moved to Rachel. "Your father owns a TV station, I won't stupidly ask you to air the drama by blind faith, but I need you to advertise my drama and platform. In exchange, once my drama becomes a hit, I will only license your station for TV re-broadcasting; it will expand your rating and viewership."
"And you, Andrea.. Can you call your boyfriend and ask the senior in his theater to recommend some artists? We need to start casting."
Silence.
After talking this much, her best friends were silent. Indeed Linzhi was only capitalizing on their friendship, this was indeed brash, but she was confident to make it a hit. She hoped her friends had some faith in her.
"Okay," Sunny shrugged, "But I'll pick my team member and only be responsible for the technicality. You're on your own about content or promotion."
"Wow.. you're really desperate huh to ask me to call my boyfriend," Andrea shook her head but lightly tapped Linzhi's shoulder, "Don't worry, Big Sister will help you."
"What are you guys looking at me for? Of course, I'll help. I'll abuse my father's power to help my friend!"
They end their business venture's plan with a hearty laugh.
*****
Patrick scratched his head. The reason Sister Linzhi told him to arrange those in dormitory style as she seems to really build a dormitory on the second floor. There were two private computer rooms here; one turned into his room, and the other just a guest room in case Linzhi stayed there.
The remaining space was now filled up by three bunk beds he and Han Junjie just assembled.
Thankfully his sister didn't shoot him in money, and they could follow the layout and electrical installment in no time. Brother Han is also skilled and helps him with the internet and wiring. It saves the time of the professional too.
"Oh, man.. At this rate, I might change from internet cafe guard to a landlord."
"Is she trying to open an inn?"
"I don't know; she says she will explain later. I just don't know when the latter is; it's been four days."
Patrick actually shouldn't need to worry because in Angon airport Linzhi just exits the arrival gate.
Linzhi refused the water Zhang Yunxi offered, and the car headed to a business convention in the western part of the city.
"Where did you get the information about RedAlpha?"
"I have my source.. So how is it? Did they ready to sell?"
"The investors are chasing them for a refund, I guess they will take the deal. But what do you need a tech startup for?"
"The founders are into games, but his game is not appealing to the domestic market. I need them to help my team to make a streaming platform."
"You have a programming team?"
"I asked my best friend; she brought 4 people with her."
"You're being hasty on this one; the original plan was to make it in 3 years."
"Do you think why I want RedAlpha? I need their semi-finished product. What I need the most right now is a VOD and writing platform. It has a lower cost compared to developing games, and they have a wider market. It's better to shelve the game first and resume it after we make money from streaming."
Zhang Yunxi couldn't get angry at her because they arrived at their destination.
"Mark."
Zhang Yunxi wasn't surprised by Linzhi's friendly attitude; she was surprised by the group of 5 people looking homeless with messy clothes and hair,
"You really okay with us staying together?"
"Don't worry about it. How about you come with us, and we can sign the contract if you are satisfied with the office."
'Office? What office? When did she buy an office?'
While the four members of RedAlpha were tailing behind her car, Zhang Yunxi was distracted by how chummy Linzhi and Mark were in the back seat of her car. Who would've believed they had just met a few hours ago? Anyone might think they've been friends for years!
Yunxi was correct, Mark and Linzhi were friends, but it was at her original timeline.
Mark was the male lead of her hit drama and they bonded by their experience of bankruptcy and making hasty debut. After ended his contract with his agency, he resumed his dream to be a game developer, and his game company - RedAlpha had the most stable stock price.
Han Junjie just take out the trash when he saw a white BMW and a blue van car approaching.
Patrick came out and waved his hand to whoever was in the car, "Sister Linzhi, did you see me?"
Closing the car door, Lizhi cut off the phone connection. "I told you, you don't have to wait."
"I want to."
Realizing Han Junjie was there, she was asking Patrick in silence.
"It's Brother Han, he helps me as a part-timer."
Linzhi smiled, "I see, thank you for your hard work."
While Linzhi entered the building, Patrick stuffed another envelope to him: "Brother Han, you can rest early today."
Han Junjie hummed and leave the place after the group went inside.
'For someone that got a secret crush on me, Nie Linzhi sure doesn't remember me.'
"So, what do you think?"
After touring the two-story building Mark was honestly want to hug Linzhi and say yes, but as CEO he must restrain his attitude.
"Ekhem.. I'm satisfied with the work environment. You have the latest top-quality equipment and the living space up there is also comfortable," he tried to strain his voice, "Are you sure you're okay with having my team as a whole?"
"I have no problem, I bring 5 people on my team."
"You will have 10 programmers.. That's a lot. Can you really pay us?"
"Mark, money is the least of my problem."
Zhang Yunxi that had been staring at Linzhi's current asset management was almost choked.. but she remained expressionless.
"I want to make a streaming and writing place in one platform. With your expertise, I believe you can lay the groundwork faster. Once the platform can be run without you, you can start working on RedAlpha."
"So you will pay us as your employee to build your platform while only buying RedAlpha to shelve it?"
"Yes."
"How can I trust you?"
"You can't trust me but you can trust the law. I'll have 51 percent of RedAlpha and once my platform runs I'll invest to get RedAlpha going. You will be in charge of its tech and operation once we split the team."
"Here, it's the contract of share transfer. The one in the back is the contract of employment. Be wary of the second one, I clearly stated the technology during platform development is mine. You only owned something that you had before I buy RedAlpha and after the team split. I'll leave you guys into it."
Linzhi and Yunxi left the private room.
"Patrick."
"Yes?"
"This is Miss Zhang Yunxi, you can call her if you can't reach me in Beiling."
"Miss Zhang."
"Patrick."
After the short introduction, Linzhi explained their work.
"I've told you that since the day I bailed you out of the prison, you are my employee. I'll pay for your tuition so be diligent. The current program team won't be here forever, those inside will be focusing on the game in the future while the other team might resign later on. I need you to start learning about all this while in school. If you want to go to college, I'll pay for it too. Once you finish your degree I can give you a position in Tech Department. Do you think you can do it?"
For Yunxi who didn't know Patrick's real capability and Patrick that didn't know his real value yet, it was a generous offer. He got a scholarship and a job offer in one fell swoop.
"Of course, you can refuse if you want to learn something else, I'll find another position for you lat-"
"No! Of course, I'll take the offer! I have always been curious about computers since I worked here," It was the first time someone give him a fair chance, Nie Linzhi didn't just give him something out of pity. She showed him a way to live!
He wiped his almost tears, "Thank you, Sister Linzhi."