Chapter 258: We will not be ungrateful

"Junior Sister Shen Ci, do you come here often?" someone couldn't help but ask curiously.

Shen Ci curled her lips in a playful smile, her gaze sweeping over the crowd: "Perhaps everyone will come here often in the future."

"What does that mean?" Ge Youcai asked, his eyes shining: "Are we going to be doing our team building here from now on?"

"Wouldn't that be a bit too extravagant?"

"And every time it's Junior Sister treating us, it's quite embarrassing."

"Exactly. If we split the bill, it would be fine. After all, we've earned quite a bit of money now."

Everyone spoke one after another, but Shen Ci just smiled without saying a word.

Luo Tianrui, who was to the side, seemed uninterested in this topic and suddenly said to Shen Ci: "Shen Ci, we are preparing to develop the next project."

One sentence made the scene instantly quiet.

Shen Ci was a bit surprised: "So fast? Do you already have a clear goal?"

"Yes, we have actually been discussing it since the New Year. Everyone's final idea is to break through to a 2.0 version based on the previous project, creating a faster, more precise, and more efficient new program."

Senior Sister Paipai continued: "We are considering that technology is always progressing and updating. Since our current program will sooner or later be replaced by a new one, why don't we replace ourselves? With the previous successful experience, we will definitely have a unique advantage in the new project, and the base success rate will be higher!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Ci nodded gently: "That is certainly a safe and steady decision."

Then Shen Ci looked at everyone and added: "So this is already something you have decided? Most of you are graduating this year, so you don't intend to submit resumes and find jobs, but rather continue to stick together and start a business?"

After all, with the successful resume of the current project, they could easily find very stable and high-paying jobs.

Luo Tianrui looked at Shen Ci and said seriously: "Shen Ci, it's not 'you all', it's 'us'!"

"'Us'?"

Shen Ci was slightly surprised, but noticed the meaningful smiles on the faces of the others.

Then she also smiled: "You still need me? Still willing to let me be this capital bloodsucker?"

After all, they have already earned money, and this is only the initial income. The current project will continue to produce revenue, enough for them to start a business together.

To be honest, Shen Ci hadn't thought they would still be willing to let her make a second round of investment.

Although a second investment could reduce their losses to zero, once successful, the returns would also be greatly discounted. Everyone must understand this principle.

"Are you still willing to invest in us?" Luo Tianrui asked, looking at her.

"Of course!" Shen Ci blurted out without hesitation: "As long as you need me, of course I'm willing!"

"But the problem is..." Shen Ci hesitated for a moment, then decided to make things clear: "The money you've earned from this project is enough for you to stand on your own. Even if the project has risks, you are completely 'able to afford to lose'. Why are you still willing to let me invest?"

Shen Ci asked with extreme seriousness.

Upon hearing this, the smiles on everyone's faces grew even richer.

Luo Tianrui explained: "Although our success wasn't accidental, we have to admit that there was a lot of luck involved in succeeding in our first venture. But even if it was luck, it was only because of your appearance that this luck could be realized. Whether you are willing to admit it or not, we all feel from the bottom of our hearts that without you, there would be no 'us' today."

The others nodded one after another.

Then Luo Tianrui continued: "We want you to continue being our investor. We have rational analysis, and we also have personal selfishness. The rationality lies in the fact that one success doesn't represent anything. We all know that our team is actually not mature, and the future won't always be so smooth. We are happy to have earned our first pot of gold, but we still need someone to provide a safety net for us!"

"As for the personal selfishness, everyone has their own thoughts, which I won't go into detail with you here. But there is one thing we have a consensus on: we cannot be ungrateful wretches. We've just tasted the fruits of success and are already thinking about kicking our benefactor away—we are not that kind of people!"

Everyone chimed in: "Exactly. Junior Sister has been so good to us, unconditionally trusting and supporting us. We definitely won't be ungrateful!"

"That's right, we all think so."

"Since you are willing, Junior Sister, then it's settled. For the next project, you provide the money, and we provide the effort!"

Shen Ci looked at these sincere faces before her and was deeply moved. She truly had not thought of this scene; she really thought that after helping them earn their first pot of gold, she should have retired with merit.

She didn't expect that everyone...

Shen Ci nodded, somewhat speechless, then raised her wine glass. Seeing this, everyone raised theirs as well. Shen Ci said: "Thank you all, here's to everyone!"

Shen Ci drank this glass of wine very solidly, not leaving a single drop.

After putting down the glass, Shen Ci looked at everyone and added heroically: "Do what you want to do. I will never be stingy with the funding!"

"We were just waiting for those words, Junior Sister!"

"Then it's settled!"

"Only with Junior Sister Shen Ci here do we feel at ease!"

"That's right!"

The atmosphere reached a climax. Everyone began to take turns toasting Shen Ci. Shen Ci was truly happy today and felt even more genuinely that she had completely integrated into this team.

Not long after, Shen Ci's porcelain-white cheeks were flushed with a slight intoxication, but her consciousness remained clear.

"Senior Brother Luo, my suggestion is, how about everyone establishes a studio?"

"A studio?" Luo Tianrui was stunned. He really hadn't thought about this question.

Shen Ci nodded: "Yes, a studio. With a studio, everyone is a legitimate professional, no longer a makeshift team. It also looks more formal!"

"And in the future, you can recruit talent, hire some employees to expand the scale. With employees, some scattered basic work can save everyone a lot of energy and time."

"Most importantly, once the studio's reputation is established, it will be very beneficial for future business development."

Shen Ci's suggestion made Luo Tianrui suddenly realize: "Shen Ci, you are right. We really should establish a professional studio."

Seeing this, Shen Ci smiled slightly: "Anyway, there's no rush for this. You can go back and discuss the details with everyone. If you need my help later, just let me know."

Luo Tianrui nodded: "Okay, you are still the one who thinks things through."

"There is one more thing." Shen Ci looked at Luo Tianrui squarely and said seriously: "Since we are going to continue cooperating, the profit-sharing ratio should be renegotiated. The success of the first project is your bargaining chip. You are qualified to propose an increase in the profit-sharing ratio!" ===== CHAPTER 259 =====