Zhou Xueyin saw the serious attitude of the female investor and suddenly felt there might be a chance this time.
However, the moment the male investor sitting next to her started speaking, that mysterious confidence vanished into thin air.
"I've briefly looked through your business plan, and we also roughly understand your ideas." For some reason, the man's tone of voice gave off a condescending impression, as if he could dispose of Zhou Xueyin at will, "What is your initial investment budget?"
"Around 40,000 to 60,000 yuan," This figure wasn't something Zhou Xueyin had just made up on the spot, but the result of detailed research.
Renting an office, leasing a virtual host, purchasing a forum framework that could be modified, these were the major expenses. Then there were the daily expenses for water, electricity, gas, and living, which meant the number was about right.
Yet, when they heard this number, they burst out laughing.
In their view, the amount Zhou Xueyin had prepared for initial investment might only be enough to rent a small office space in this building for two months.
"Are you sure that this starting capital is enough for your expenses?" another investor asked mockingly.
Zhou Xueyin took a deep breath, "If you had seriously read my proposal, you would find my quotation quite reasonable and appropriate!"
Zhou Xueyin was right; she had meticulously listed in her business plan the various expenses needed as startup capital to create a forum community.
If they had looked closely instead of just skimming, they would certainly not have questioned the amount.
"The proposal is very well done; from the preliminary research, preparation work, to the establishment of the forum community, board planning, and ways to profit—all are very well explained and the graphs are very easy to understand! It's just... the final plan on when it will start making a profit isn't clear." The female investor finally finished reading the proposal.
"Regarding the issue of making a profit, I really haven't figured that out yet. I can't just slap my forehead and say, 'Once the forum is up and running, it will make a profit in two months,' can I?" Zhou Xueyin actually slapped her forehead as she spoke.
"Hmph... you're quite down-to-earth," the female investor said with a smile, showing her wisdom.
"A hardware forum might make a profit in two months, but the female-centered forum you want to do—forget it." An investor in the corner, who didn't mince his words, blurted out, "I think you shouldn't waste your time here. Let me be clear, no matter how fancy your investment pitch is, we're not going to put money into it."
"Why?" Zhou Xueyin asked without thinking upon hearing what the man said.
"Simply because it's a non-popular project, we are not going to invest money in something that seems to carry a great risk. You should go back..." The man tossed the proposal back to Zhou Xueyin and left the room.
'Acting so high and mighty? Didn't even look at it properly. What a lousy attitude! So, what if you have money?' Zhou Xueyin rolled her eyes at the man's retreating figure.
"I'm sorry, Miss Zhou. It looks like your entrepreneurial plan is likely to fall through..." the other investors chimed in with sympathy.
"Tch..." Zhou Xueyin clicked her tongue in displeasure, angrily collected the business plans from in front of these people, and left the office with a gloomy face.
"Yinyin? Are you alright?" Li Jixiang saw Zhou Xueyin's state and asked with concern, "They didn't make it hard for you, did they?"
When Zhou Xueyin did not respond, Li Jixiang continued, "Ah well, no matter. Let's go find other investors! There must be someone who appreciates you!"
"Accompany me to the WC... I'm so nervous I can hardly stand it..." Zhou Xueyin then managed to squeeze out an awkward smile.
"I also... have been waiting for you so much I almost left... hehe..." Li Jinian also laughed awkwardly.
The two girls walked hand in hand to the restroom on their floor.
"Jixiang, you just tell me, are all these men today just full of a sense of superiority?" Zhou Xueyin complained to Li Jixiang from behind the restroom door, "They don't even bother to look at my business plan seriously, and start acting all high and mighty! That female investor was better, although she seemed to lack authority... sigh..."
"Young lady? Are you talking about me?" A voice that Zhou Xueyin hadn't expected came from the stall next to her.
"Ah... hello, Investment Sister!" Zhou Xueyin, nervously adjusting her clothes, came out from the partition, awkwardly facing the female investor.
"My name is Jiang Chunming, how about we have lunch together later? I have some questions about your business plan," Jiang Chunming was quite interested in Zhou Xueyin.
"Yes, sure! I came with my best friend, is that okay?" Zhou Xueyin could not ask for more than to discuss her business plan with an industry mogul.
"Of course, let's eat at the Vegetarian Restaurant nearby the building, okay?" Jiang Chunming checked her watch, noticing it was almost time for lunch.
"Oh right, Sister Chunming, this is my roommate Li Jixiang!" It was only then that Zhou Xueyin introduced Li Jixiang, who had just come out of the restroom, to Jiang Chunming.
The three of them went to the Vegetarian Restaurant on the ground floor, where Jiang Chunming casually ordered some soy-based dishes that looked like meat, and asked Zhou Xueyin for her business plan.
"Let me apologize on their behalf," Jiang Chunming began with a deep sense of regret, "They're used to dealing with big financing projects from companies that start with 500,000 in seed money. So for personal projects like yours, they tend to observe with indifference."
"Hey... if I knew, I would have gone to a small-to-medium enterprise investment company..." Zhou Xueyin stuck out her tongue, "I just saw that your company was in Wangfujing and came without a second thought."
"But honestly, if your project can really be executed, it has a limitless future!" Jiang Chunming looked at Zhou Xueyin approvingly, "Just like the preliminary research at the beginning of your plan, be it the internet or communities, it's all dominated by men, but that doesn't mean women don't need it."
"Exactly! It's not that women don't need the internet, it's that their chauvinism leads them to think women don't need it. In fact, considering women's spending power, it far exceeds men's!" Zhou Xueyin nodded, "Plus, our main focus is on electronic consumer demands, there will definitely be a large number of users and merchants joining us in the future."
"I totally agree!" Jiang Chunming nodded with satisfaction, "However, there are still some flaws in your business plan."
"I'm all ears for your guidance!" Zhou Xueyin humbly faced the other person.
"The overall structure of the website is fine, but there's no need to divide the sections so finely," Jiang Chunming opened Zhou Xueyin's business plan, "Look here, clothing, bags, shoes, and hats for purchase experience sharing could all be integrated into a single purchase experience sharing section..."
As Jiang Chunming explained, Zhou Xueyin took notes. Both of them completely forgot about the presence of Li Jixiang and that they came to eat, not to talk about work.
By the end of the meal, Jiang Chunming had helped Zhou Xueyin refine and detail her website plan even more.
With the help of an industry titan, it really was like adding wings to a tiger.
"I can't thank you enough! I should be the one treating you to this meal, but instead, you've spent money..." Zhou Xueyin gratefully held Jiang Chunming's hand.
"It's also been a while since I've seen a young person as clear-headed and logical as you! I wish your future website great success!" Jiang Chunming handed Zhou Xueyin a business card, "If your website gets off the ground and you need financing, I'll be your consultant!"