NOVPUB
Chapter 849: Chapter 737: Urban Complex (Subscribe Please!)_3
Everyone inevitably overate.
Didn’t want to move.
But still wanted to eat.
"It’s over, I won’t be able to eat any other seafood after this," Bao Kaiyu grumbled as he lay slumped over in his chair.
Chai Ren suggested, "Then eat meat instead of seafood, trust me on this one."
"I really shouldn’t have come over to freeload, how am I going to live after this?" Zhai Zhihua also joined the chorus of groans.
Zheng Lin stood up and scolded with a laugh, "You two got a bargain yet still complain. This kind of good stuff, if you can eat it once or twice a year, be content. It’s all thanks to knowing Little Tang, otherwise you wouldn’t even get to see it."
"No way, I’ve got to be neighbors with Brother Tang, ah... I can’t handle it." Just as Bao Kaiyu tried to sit up, he felt like he had stirred the qi in his gut, his stomach bloated, so he quickly resumed his limp posture.
Chai Ren’s eyes lit up, "Oh? Have you found the place?"
To be neighbors.
There was only the plan for sea view villas.
Bao Kaiyu nodded and replied, "Found it, the location is excellent, backed by lush hills and clear waters, and there’s a high-quality beach nearby, deep enough for yachts, and the water quality is clear. Our people are currently negotiating with the local government, and we should have results by the start of the year."
"Are you sure?" Chai Ren pressed on.
"Don’t worry, the mayor there was my grandfather’s secretary, just a small favor. It’s not like we’re not paying," Bao Kaiyu said nonchalantly. Such a small matter, if he couldn’t handle it, he wouldn’t qualify to partner with Chai Ren in business.
Hearing this.
Tang Qing actually felt a bit envious of these second-generation guys, wanting to get something done, just a couple of turns lead to acquaintances, and very close ones at that, no need for bribes, just invite them for a meal, catch up and it’s done.
Zheng Lin happily said, "That’s great, I need to quickly get my house designed. Little Tang, is your design ready?"
Tang Qing shook his head, "Not yet, no rush, let’s wait for the detailed topographic map, assign the construction land and then discuss. By the way, have you guys thought about venturing into commercial real estate?"
"Commercial real estate? Office buildings, shopping centers?" Chai Ren asked, puzzled.
The concept of commercial real estate was broad.
"No, no, no, you guys must know about Wanda Plaza, right?" Tang Qing reminded.
Before Chai Ren could answer.
Bao Kaiyu cut in:
"Of course, that’s Wanda Group’s business model in commercial real estate. Not much innovation there, currently primarily integrating cinemas, department stores, gaming, and catering in one real estate model.
"I’m not optimistic about this model because the investment is too vast. Wanda seems to be having cash flow problems. It’s an inevitable outcome of such a heavy-asset model. Last year, Wanda’s attempt to go public failed, tightening their cash flow, ultimately forcing them to make tough choices.
"Just last year, they sold off nine Wanda Plazas. You should know that last year, Wanda had only twenty-one operating and under-construction plazas in total. Selling nearly half like that, this business model proves difficult to sustain, slow cash returns, what’s the matter, Little Tang, are you interested in this company?"
As a specialized real estate operator, Bao Kaiyu knew much more than Chai Ren, a miner.
Tang Qing nodded.
Bao Kaiyu was right.
Wanda Group had indeed had a tough year last year.
Failing to go public, unable to raise funds, they had to sell off half of their Wanda Plazas.
However, this Wanda Plaza is essentially different from the Wanda Plazas of later years.
Currently, Wanda Plaza was still based on the department store model, which didn’t have a promising outlook, strictly speaking, it could even be said to be just a large Wanda building, only slightly touching upon the concept of a plaza.
It was also due to this sell-off of nearly half of the Wanda Plazas.
That forced Wanda Group to start upgrading Wanda Plaza, leading to the Wanda Plazas of later years. In other words, Wanda was undergoing its most difficult, yet most crucial transformation, just beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel,
with no sigh of relief yet in sight.
Tang Qing was actually only interested in the theater circuit.
Making a little bit of money on the side was also fine, as long as he didn’t have to worry too much, having money was enough.
Tang Qing earnestly said, "Exactly, mainly because the share of money from the theaters is too high, I was thinking about venturing into the theater circuit, and the current circuits are predominantly single screens, while multi-screens are the mainstream. I was considering building my own, and if I want to have influence and traffic, combining it with the commercial real estate model seems pretty good."
Tang Qing’s logic.
Completely dazzled them.
They all gaped in shock.
All for a theater circuit.
To venture into commercial real estate?
How strong do you want your logic chain to be.
A few people exchanged glances, each smirking bitterly. "Does Tang Qing even know how much money this involves?"
"This, the model of Wanda Group, has been proven unworkable," Bao Kaiyu warned. With Wanda having just sold nine Wanda Plazas, they had a breather—no one would foolishly copy Wanda’s model.
About this,
Tang Qing certainly wouldn’t either.
He explained, "I know that. The current Wanda Plaza has too many limitations and its positioning is somewhat chaotic. What I’m talking about is not the same commercial real estate model, but rather introducing the concept of an urban complex on top of the existing Wanda model."
"Urban complex?" Chai Ren asked, puzzled.
Upon hearing this,
Only Bao Kaiyu and Zhai Zhihua bowed their heads in deep thought. Even Zheng Lin had a bit more understanding than Chai Ren, as Zheng Lin was also in the hotel business and knew more about this area.
"Yes, an urban complex, combining indoor pedestrian streets with commercial buildings to create a huge urban complex. This includes large business centers, both indoor and outdoor pedestrian streets, various levels of hotels, high-end office buildings, luxury apartments, and more, integrating shopping, leisure, dining, culture, entertainment, and other functionalities into one, forming an independent large business district."
Tang Qing actually didn’t know much about commercial real estate, but he had visited a few Wanda Plazas, one in Province City and another in Zhongzhou City. What he saw and heard, combined with his own understanding, allowed him to speak with substantial content.
"The idea is good, and I see great potential, but the investment required is massive, and our other projects also tie up a lot of capital. We simply can’t afford to build even one," Bao Kaiyu said, frustrated.
Zhai Zhihua also nodded. Such a huge project would require a prime location in a city.
It would take at least ten or twenty billion just to secure the land.
Tang Qing rolled his eyes.
This was truly a case of not seeing the wood for the trees.
You are all in real estate, yet you let the issue of capital stymie you.
At that moment,
Chai Ren suddenly suggested, "Why don’t we inject more capital into the company again?"
Bao Kaiyu and Zhai Zhihua were stunned.
Injecting capital?
They had never thought about it.
The main purpose of this real estate company was to make money. They had never treated it as their own business venture, but rather as a proverbial goose that lays golden eggs. Now that it was already providing a stable income, they were quite satisfied.
They were very interested in the high-end residential and villa markets.
But their interest in commercial real estate was not as strong.
This was also the main reason they felt a lack of funds—without injection, where would the capital come from?
Chai Ren’s words touched not only on the issue of money but also on the positioning of the company.
One is a goose that lays golden eggs, earning a sure profit, the other is something to be managed as a business venture, naturally involving risk. In reality, there’s no difference, the only difference is the mindset of these shareholders.
"Chai Shaoyou, are you sure?" Bao Kaiyu asked earnestly.
Chai Ren looked at Tang Qing, smiled slightly, and nodded, "I’m sure." After several past events, especially that rescue mission in Africa, the Chai Family had already regarded Tang Qing as an important strategic ally.
Several lifesaving favors.
Chai Ren had already come to regard Tang Qing as one of their own.
Since what Tang Qing wanted to do wasn’t against any principles, he naturally wanted to support it.
Upon getting the reply,
Bao Kaiyu and Zhai Zhihua didn’t know what Chai Ren had up his sleeve, but both were prepared to see it through to the end. Chai Ren wasn’t foolish; such an investment had to be discussed with the Chai Family, otherwise, Chai Ren wouldn’t have the decision-making power himself.
If Chai Ren decided to proceed, then he must be confident in persuading the Chai Family and ensuring a profit.
Thus, they were not willing to be shrinking turtles.
Losing face. 𝓃𝓸𝓋𝓹𝓾𝓫.𝒸ℴ𝓶
Bao Kaiyu’s expression changed as he laughed loudly, "Then I’m willing to take the bet. Chai Shaoyou, how much do you propose to inject?"
Chai Ren didn’t respond,
but looked toward Tang Qing instead.
"Little Tang, what’s your decision?"
"I’m all in, of course, the more the better, but all the theater circuits need to be from Comet Cinema," Tang Qing declared. He wasn’t interested in the other real estate aspects, only the cinemas, because once the movies were released, wouldn’t there be money?
Chai Ren laughed heartily, "Sure, that’s no problem."
He liked Tang Qing’s boldness
and the constant surprises he brought.
