Going home for the Chinese New Year with a year-end bonus of 100 million

"Heh." Chen Zhiyuan chuckled. "It's good that young people are energetic, but they also need to be realistic."

He raised his voice, deliberately making sure more people could hear him:

"The billiards hall business looks simple, but it's difficult to run. The equipment depreciates quickly, the customers have varying levels of quality, and management is very troublesome."

"I've seen countless billiard halls close down within six months of opening."

"Zhou Yao, I advise you to focus on your studies and not be fooled by some people who think they can be a boss just because they put in some money."

These words were extremely harsh.

The people around quieted down, their gazes shifting back and forth between Zhou Yao and Chen Zhiyuan.

Xiaoya was so angry that her face turned red. She wanted to rush up and argue, but Lin Xiaoyu gently pulled her back.

Zhou Yao took a deep breath, her smile still on her face, but her eyes turned cold:

"Mr. Chen, thank you for your concern."

"However, I think it's a good thing for young people to have dreams. It's better than some people who are old and still think about how to pursue other people's wives all day long."

"You!" Chen Zhiyuan's expression changed.

"Did I say something wrong?" Zhou Yao tilted her head, looking completely innocent.

"I heard that President Chen has been pursuing our Principal Lin for over a year, but she completely ignores him."

"Instead of wasting your time and energy, you should focus on running your own business instead of constantly criticizing other people's investments."

A suppressed laugh rippled through the crowd.

Chen Zhiyuan was so angry that his face turned ashen, but he couldn't lash out in front of so many people.

Just then, a calm voice came from the side:

"Mr. Chen, you're a guest, please come in and have a seat?"

Yang Fan walked over at some point and stood next to Zhou Yao.

He was dressed in simple casual clothes today, but his demeanor was calm and composed, and his mere presence exuded an invisible sense of pressure.

Chen Zhiyuan's gaze turned even more hostile when he saw Yang Fan:

"Mr. Yang, this is not how you educate younger generations."

"Blindly giving her money will make her think she's something special, and that's harming her."

Yang Fan smiled and said, "Mr. Chen, there are rules to investing."

"I voted for Zhou Yao because I'm optimistic about her abilities and the project's prospects. As for whether it will succeed, time will tell."

He paused, his tone remaining calm, but the meaning behind his words was profound:

"By the way, Mr. Chen, I heard you invested in Chen Yi's 'Intelligent Learning AI' project? You put in over a million yuan. How's the result?"

Chen Zhiyuan's expression changed.

After Chen Yi's project received investment, he did do a lot of promotion and held several events, and the data looked quite impressive.

But he wasn't really sure what the actual conversion rate would be.

But he couldn't show weakness verbally:

"Chen Yi's project is progressing smoothly! User growth is rapid, and we'll start charging next month."

"But Mr. Yang, instead of investing in such a good project, he went and invested in a sunset industry like billiard halls... His vision is truly unique."

Yang Fan nodded: "Then I wish Mr. Chen a successful investment."

He said no more and turned to Zhou Yao: "Zhou Yao, take the guests inside. Don't keep them waiting too long."

"Okay!" Zhou Yao replied, turning to the crowd in line.

"Dear students, please come in! We're having a grand opening today, so each table is getting a complimentary snack!"

The crowd stirred again and poured into the store.

Chen Zhiyuan stood there, his face grim as he watched Yang Fan and Zhou Yao's retreating figures.

He came today intending to give Zhou Yao a hard time and, incidentally, to belittle Yang Fan's judgment in front of everyone.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Yao retorted and left him speechless, and Yang Fan's words were even more barbed.

"We'll see," he muttered to himself, then turned and got into his car and drove away.

"..."

The billiard hall was already bustling with activity.

The twenty billiard tables were almost completely occupied, with the crisp sounds of clinking echoing throughout.

The rest area was full of waiting guests, and there was also a queue in front of the water bar.

Zhou Yao's VIP area is especially popular—although it's more expensive, the environment is more private and the facilities are better, making it a popular choice for couples and small groups.

"Zhou Yao, the environment here is really nice!" a boy said while playing basketball. "It's much better than those places near the school."

"Of course!" Zhou Yao said proudly, "Our tables are all professional-grade, and we change the table cement every three months to ensure a good feel."

"The drinks are delicious too!" another girl exclaimed, holding up her cup. "Did you make this fruit tea yourself?"

"Yes, it's a unique recipe!" Zhou Yao said with a smile. "If you like it, I'll ask the bartender to add more fruit for you next time you come."

Xiaoya and Lin Xiaoyu were also busy; one was helping to take orders at the bar, and the other was serving customers in the VIP area.

Yang Fan then took a walk around the store, observing its operations.

Judging from the number of visitors, today's opening event was a great success.

But the more important thing is what happens next – how to retain these customers and make them repeat customers.

At noon, the first group of guests began to leave.

Zhou Yao took advantage of a break to run to the back office and check the data in the POS system.

"Brother, look!" she exclaimed excitedly to Yang Fan, "We've already made over four thousand in just three hours since opening!"

"Moreover, the VIP area is extremely popular; all eight tables are full, and there are even people waiting in line."

Yang Fan glanced at the data and nodded: "Not bad. But don't get too excited yet. Today is the opening day, and many people are here for the novelty and the discounts. The key is how many people will still be here after the discounts end tomorrow and the day after."

"I understand!" Zhou Yao said earnestly. "I'm already planning the follow-up activities."

She counted on her fingers: "Starting next week, we'll hold a beginner's class, teaching basic skills for free."

"Next month, we'll hold a monthly competition with prize money to attract top players."

"There's also a membership system: recharge 500 and get 80 free, recharge 1000 and get 200 free..."

Yang Fan smiled as he watched her talk incessantly: "You've thought things through quite thoroughly. But remember, service is fundamental. The environment must be clean, the equipment must be well-maintained, and the service must be enthusiastic. If you do these things well, the event will just be icing on the cake."

"Yes!" Zhou Yao nodded vigorously.

"..."

Time flies, and two months have passed in the blink of an eye.

In early September, the university town was bustling with the new semester.

"Star Billiards Club" has been operating for two full months.

Under Zhou Yao's careful management, the business grew steadily.

The occupancy rate can reach 50% on weekday afternoons, and it is often fully booked in the evenings and on weekends.

VIP areas require advance reservations, and even regular areas have queues during peak hours.

Monthly revenue is stable at around 120,000, and after deducting costs, net profit is close to 50,000.

At this rate, Yang Fan's investment of 500,000 yuan will be recouped in about ten months.

What made Yang Fan even more gratified was Zhou Yao's growth over the past two months.

She transformed from a hasty and impulsive young woman into a meticulous, thoughtful, and capable boss.

She listens carefully to customer feedback and adjusts service details promptly; she strictly controls costs, carefully calculating every expenditure; and she diligently maintains relationships with long-term customers, remembering their names and preferences.

"Big brother, I've secured another sponsorship!" Zhou Yao excitedly called Yang Fan one day in early September.

"Red Bull is willing to hold an event here, sponsoring our drinks and even paying us for the venue!"

"Furthermore, the city's billiards association has agreed to make this place their designated training base, so their youth training courses can be held here from now on!"

Yang Fan laughed: "Well done. You're becoming more and more like a businessman."

"Absolutely!" Zhou Yao said proudly, "I can't let my brother down!"