Rebirth in 1980: The Farm Wife Makes a Comeback
Chapter 389 - 390: Big Profits

Chapter 389: Chapter 390: Big Profits

While in the half-month period, Jian Zhiqing has been busy with the house in the Siheyuan, including wiring for internet and more. Moreover, since the employees they hired were disabled, the government exempted them from taxes, so sometimes Qin Xiangnuan’s unintentional actions always led to some special rewards.

Qin Xiangyang and the team learned for about half a month and then stayed at the Palace to apply their knowledge. By this time, the house had almost finished construction. The decoration was simple; entering the front door, there was a large reception desk. The building had two floors; the upper one was left spare since the ground floor was sufficient for their current needs. Wires were already efficiently organized, and the tables were newly made, sporting a clean and fresh color. Those sixty computers had been moved back as well.

On each table, there was now one of those older, bulky monitors that took up most of the desk space and the first-generation scrolling mice instead of the later optical ones, not to mention wireless keyboards or mice.

By the time Qin Xiangyang and his group returned, Qin Xiangnuan had already started school. She considered herself fortunate for not having military training, hence compared to others who were tanned and dry-skinned, she remained fair and soft, like a freshly steamed bun, looking very appetizing.

Additionally, university life was much more liberal than high school, allowing her to no longer bind her chest, finally freeing her figurative "buns" from discomfort. After experiencing a year of dark and sunless high school, university life indeed felt too leisurely.

The university courses were quite relaxed. Her major being fashion design, she had classes in drafting, sketching, color studies, and other related subjects, which she found not very challenging especially since Qin Xiangnuan had a lifelong experience in making clothes, making some of these courses very simple for her.

The internet cafe operation also progressed step-by-step, and sometimes Qin Xiangnuan went to check on things, but it seemed like it had turned into a big man’s job, where she felt she couldn’t contribute much.

The computers had been set up on the tables and were already configured.

Big Brother Qin Qiang, who was physically disabled, now sat at the reception desk as a cashier.

As for the other people, they all worked in the internet cafe. Although these veterans had some physical challenges, their military aura remained intact. When they stood there, it indeed had an imposing effect.

Once everything was prepared, the internet cafe opened for business.

During the first seven days of operation, the cafe had a promotion: top up 100 yuan for membership get an extra 20, top up 200 dollars get 50 extra, and top up 300 and get an extra 100.

This was hailed as the first internet cafe in Capital City. On the first day, Big Brother Qin Qiang’s hands almost went numb from collecting money, as there were too many customers signing up for membership cards largely due to the generous promotions.

The internet cafe operated around the clock. While the electricity cost was high, the earnings were even higher. Just collecting fees in denominations of 100 and 200, they made over 10,000 yuan on the first day alone.

Qin Jinuan knew this business had high profit margins but hadn’t expected it to be so immensely lucrative. Although the model was first to make money and then provide services, once the money was in their hands, it naturally became theirs.

This money couldn’t be touched immediately nor distributed as profits because they still needed to equip computers and other materials for the second floor.

Whether it was due to Qin Xiangnuan’s exceptional entrepreneurial fling or Jian Zhiqing’s good fortune, the business at the internet cafe was terrifyingly good. Machines were running non-stop around the clock, and outside there was often a queue forming. They also started selling a lot of drinks and cigarettes at the bar, which sold out very quickly. Some savvy folks noticed the business opportunity and started restaurants nearby.

Just serving meals to the internet cafe kept them very busy every day.

The bustling business at the internet cafe also relieved Qin Xiangnuan somewhat, as at the very least, Jian Zhiqing’s initial investment of 150,000 yuan could be paid back. By the time the cafe had been in business for half a year, they had fully recovered their initial costs, prompting Jian Zhiqing and Qin Xiangyang to buy another fifty computers to fully equip the second floor.

Qin Xiangnuan shared all the operational strategies she knew from her past life, such as having different rates for morning and evening sessions, making the venue crowded even during the night because of the cheaper rates. From midnight to six in the morning, normally it cost 18 yuan, but during those hours, it was only 10 yuan.

With a hundred computers, they could earn 1000 yuan just overnight.

The speed of earning money was obscure to others, but they clearly understood.

These computers wouldn’t be replaced for the time being. If they lasted, they planned to wait until after the year 2000 when computer prices were expected to drop before purchasing new ones.

The revenue from the internet cafe was enormously profitable. In the first year, after deducting expenses and other additions, Jian Zhiqing and Qin Xiangnuan each took home 500,000 yuan.

Jian Zhiqing was somewhat perplexed about how the young girl came up with such a lucrative strategy—it was almost terrifying, and it made him consider venturing into business. However, Qin Xiangnuan was right about one thing, better not to entangle with businessmen and officials. As the young girl liked to make money, he would stay put and help her manage things.

With 500,000 yuan in hand, Qin Xiangnuan paid back Granny Lu’s 50,000 yuan as well as Qin Xiangyang’s 20,000 yuan. Despite Granny Lu’s refusal, Qin Xiangnuan insisted on giving her the money, while Qin Xiangyang willingly accepted, knowing well how terrifying his sister’s earning ability was. He was aware of the internet cafe’s sales figures, but also knew the expenses were substantial. Fortunately, the building was constructed by them, saving them a significant amount in rental costs.

Qin Xiangyang often enjoyed visiting the internet cafe; surfing the internet was one reason, and learning technology was another. During holidays, he went to the Southern region to study computer skills, and to improve his learning, he also diligently practiced English. Previously, he disliked English, but now he absolutely cherished it, carrying English books to school every day. Teacher Wang, who once tutored Qin Xiangnuan, had been unemployed but then switched to teaching Qin Xiangyang.

Qin Xiangyang might not be as intuitive as Qin Xiangnuan; he was a straightforward person, so his learning approach was also very direct, showing a lively spirit that he and his sister indeed shared.

All day long, carrying his English books, he became a representative of the new generation of students in the military academy.

It seemed that Qin Xiangnuan also sensed something special.