Rebirth of the Godly Prodigal

“This…” Upon hearing Shiroishi Kazuma’s words, Ko Gohon anxiously said, “After this group of authors leaves, our spending would indeed be greatly reduced. But the updating volume of the books within three days would definitely decrease, and if we lose… Moreover, this will allow Hong Dali to gain public favor. I’m afraid that by then…”

“The business world is like a battleground. Compassion is a very needless thing.” Shiroishi Kazuma’s voice was very calm. “Once these high-fee authors leave, it will definitely free up a huge amount of recommendation slots. This is the time for the authors who receive dividends to rise up the ranks. If the website wants to earn money, it needs these authors to have the potential of doing so. The flat fees are too high, it’s not beneficial for the future development of the website.”

“I know about all these, but…” Ko Gohon asked, “But what about our bet with Hong Dali? Once these authors leave, they’ll definitely go over to Zhong Dian website. Isn’t this akin to increasing Hong Dali’s power?”

“That’s easy.” Shiroishi Kazuma said, “Two days later, hold a writing contest. Carry it out according to different categories, and promise those with outstanding results will be able to gain the recommendations by our website through all channels. The authors will definitely actively participate with so many benefits, and we won’t need to spend so much either.”

“Uncle Kazuma, you’re really brilliant!” Ko Gohon listened with eyes opened widely. “In that case, Hong Dali’s side would be akin to have taken over those authors that have come running back, but since they had left them and then returned to there again, there would definitely be hard feelings! And we can, on the other hand, throw away that big burden. And coupled with this writing contest, after we’ve won this round of bet, by then, our website can completely rise up.”

“Mm, Young Master Gohon, you’ve finally understood this time.” Shiroishi Kazuma smiled slightly and said, “The author of ‘Martial Spirit” has died. Do you really think I wouldn’t recognize such a good opportunity to create hype? Even if he does anything on his side, so what. It’s only a few hundred authors, it’s not a big issue. Alright, if there’s nothing more, I’ll hang up. I’m currently negotiating matters about the online gaming side.”

“Alright then, Uncle Kazuma. Go busy yourself!”

After hanging up, Ko Gohon leaned on the sofa in satisfaction and laughed heartily as he said, “Hahaha, this time, Hong Dali has really suffered a double loss! Eagerly giving me one million to buy the copyrights, but he has to take over so many authors that had been paid flat fees. This time, it will definitely be troubling for them, yet I can kick out this cancerous tumor of the severance method and develop a virtuous cycle for my website. After Uncle Kazuma starts up the online gaming business, I believe that my father’s side would definitely be satisfied this time, hahahaha!”

…

In the group chat for Feng Yun website authors—

Tian Yuanlong: “Let me tell you something. Feng Yun website is going to hold a writing contest! It’s a big contest with all six categories! As long as you are shortlisted, all channels will recommend you and the website will promote you in the future, and it’s very possible that you’ll become the next Supreme God!”

Author One: “Really? I’ll go and take a look! I must take part in this contest! This opportunity is not easy to come by!”

Tian Yuanlong: “Of course it’s real. Take part in the contest, young man!”

…

Two days later.

“Young Master, Chief. Currently, the effects of the writing contest are quite good!” GM Liu beamed brightly as he reported, “Though quite a lot of authors have left previously because of Luo Xue’s issue, when the writing contest was announced this time, the number of new books has instantly increased greatly. At the moment, the number of books updated within three days has broken the 5,500 mark, and it’s already 500 and above more books than Zhong Dian website’s. And it’s still rising rapidly! Also, we have started to promote our Feng Yun app. Currently, the number of installations have broken past the 5 million mark!”

“Hahaha, good! Good!” Ko Gohon laughed heartily. “Uncle Kazuma is indeed brilliant! This time, we are sure to win! No matter what Hong Dali does, he won’t be able to break free from our grasp!”

“Everyone pursues benefits.” Shiroishi Kazuma took a small sip of tea and unconcernedly said, “As long as we give them sufficient perks, naturally everything would be simple. This time, after winning, we’ll continue to steadily advance, and after our Feng Yun app has expanded in scale, the prospects of this online novel website would be good.”

“Yes yes, that’s for sure!” Ko Gohon took two wine glasses and the premium Malbec grape wine and poured a glass for both of them. He smiled and said, “Here, Uncle Kazuma. Cheers!”

“Cheers.”

…

Tianjing City Center, Sangle Headquarters Building.

“CEO Hong, the financial statements regarding the smartphone reading app have been calculated. CEO Hong, CEO Liu, and CEO Mu, please peruse it.” The secretary handed three copies of reports with almost twenty pages over to Hong Weiguo, Liu Yihui, and Mu Tie. Then, he stood at the same spot and waited for Hong Weiguo’s instructions.

Hong Weiguo nodded and said, “Mm, OK, you can leave first.”

“Yes.” Xiao Liu instantly went out.

The three of them picked up the financial report, and Hong Weiguo carefully started reading through, “Currently, after the launch of the smartphone reading app, it has attracted everyone reader’s love. This reading app is convenient and it’s very easy and fast to search for books. Moreover, it doesn’t hurt the eyes much. Thus, the number of installations is now increasing very rapidly. Since the launch till now, the total number of installations has already exceeded 30 million, and it’s still continuously increasing. The various large smartphone retailers have even started to apply for our smartphone reading app to become the default app in the new smartphones.

“After calculations, at the moment, the amount of expenditure that had been brought about by the smartphone reading app these few days have reached 6,255,647 yuan, and it’s still rapidly increasing. Minus the various costs, I believe that the profit this year alone would be able to reach 1.5 billion and above.”

“1.5 billion, not bad.” Looking at the financial statement in his hands, Hong Weiguo praised, “Good lad, this is not a small figure.”

Mu Tie was also extremely satisfied with this report. “These are just the preliminary numbers. The key lies in that the investments are little, but the returns are very high. We’ve only spent a few million yuan of programming fees as well as the internet advertisements, which add up to less than 30 million. Honestly, I really didn’t think that it would turn out so great.”

A barely 40 million investment turned into 1.5 billion of yearly profit. Probably nobody would believe this ratio.

“The prospects are big, but there’s quite a lot of trouble as well.” Troubled, Liu Yihui stroked his forehead. “The bigger the cake, the more the people hanker after it. Recently, that Feng Yun website has become very popular. This is a sign that they are planning to snatch the cake from us. Moreover, the tricks they used, they are truly flawless.”

“Yes, according to the intelligence reports, those were done by Toyoda Conglomerate’s chief consultant, Shiroishi Kazuma.” Hong Weiguo said in a deep voice, “And this time, Ko Gohon has a 50 million bet with my Dali. Though it’s not a lot of money, the problem is that if we have to split such a big piece of cake and give half of it to the Jabanese, how would we take this lying down.”

“True.” Mu Tie thought for a while, then shook his head and said, “This Shiroishi Kazuma is truly brilliant. He’s seized the opportunity at every step he took, and now all the gaps have been filled by him. I don’t have any confidence in breaking through this situation now.”

“Me too.” Liu Yihui agreed. “With his level, once he takes the lead, it’s very difficult to turn the tables around. Sigh, Old Hong. This time, let’s just admit defeat if we really can’t win over them. Since it’s Shiroishi Kazuma moving this time, it won’t be a big deal even if Dali loses.”

Hong Weiguo frowned and thought for a while, then he said in a deep voice, “Let’s try harder. Though Dali has all along not been concerned about win or loss, we can’t take this lying down no matter what!”

“That’s true, sigh.”

Liu Yihui and Mu Tie naturally understood how Hong Weiguo felt. Given the feud of tens of years between the Hong Family and the Toyoda Conglomerate, if they lost this time, they would naturally not take this lying down. Until the last moment, he definitely wouldn’t admit defeat.

“Oh right!” Suddenly, Mu Tie’s eyes lit up. “We can’t think of anything, but it doesn’t mean other people can’t! Why don’t we ask Jianye? This fellow is pernicious enough, he might have some ideas!”

“OK! I’ll ask him!”

Very soon, after the laptop had been prepared, Hong Tu’s wrinkled face appeared and he asked, “Weiguo, what’s the matter?”

“Dali’s bet with Ko Gohon is nearing the end, yet we can’t think of a way to solve this.” Hong Weiguo dispiritedly said, “Toyoda Conglomerate’s chief consultant, Shiroishi Kazuma is helping Ko Gohon in the dark. His succession of tricks these few days have caught us off guard.”

“Mm, I’ve heard of this.” Hong Tu also didn’t have any good ideas. “I didn’t think he’d personally come. This old fellow acted as an advisor for the Toyoda Conglomerate back then, and they attacked their enemies one after another till they had no more power to fight back. It’s difficult.”

“Yes. Oh right, Dad, where’s Jianye?” Hong Weiguo anxiously said, “Why don’t we ask Jianye whether he has any good ideas?”

Hong Tu nodded and said, “Sure, I’ll get him to come over right now.”

Very soon, Hong Jianye’s face appeared with an annoying expression. “Aiyo, Weiguo, why did you think of calling me? Is there anything good?”

“You know about the bet between Dali and Ko Gohon, right?” Hong Weiguo anxiously said, “Do you have any good ideas to help Dali? Money is a small matter, but I won’t be able to bring myself to admit defeat no matter what!”

“You’re talking about the bet regarding the novel websites this time?” Upon hearing Hong Weiguo’s mention of this matter, Hong Jianye could only express his regret. “These few days, I’ve been thinking about this problem too. The other party is very brilliant by advancing step by step like this, it’s not easy to handle. But on the other hand, Dali was able to force Shiroishi Kazuma to personally attack. He has practically won already. It doesn’t matter what happens in the end, but the key is—I don’t have any good ideas as well. This Shiroishi Kazuma always does things flawlessly, without any loopholes!”

“Can we only admit defeat then?” Hong Weiguo smiled bitterly.

“No, it’s still too early to admit defeat.” Hong Jianye suddenly sniggered and said, “Why don’t you all ask Dali? Though this fellow is always carefree, he does have many ideas.”

“Ah?” Hong Weiguo asked in shock, “This child doesn’t have any concepts regarding winning or losing, what use is there in asking him?”

“Concepts and ideas are two different things.” Hong Jianye twitched his lips. “Even if he’s unwilling, wouldn’t it be fine as long as you force him to give an idea? After all, you’re his father. He has to give you face, right?”

“Right! Why did I forget this?” Hong Weiguo ferociously slammed the table and shouted loudly, “Xiao Liu, go to Chenhui Building right away and call that rascal Dali over here!”

“Yes, CEO Hong.”