The program team gave each person a package.
Wang Wensheng spoke the most, “Why are the sizes of the packages different?”
Everyone noticed that Cheng Youyou’s package was the largest.
Just because Cheng Youyou didn’t speak earlier didn’t mean she didn’t listen to the rules. On the contrary, she listened very carefully, with her own purpose in mind.
As she looked at the package that had just been handed out, Cheng Youyou opened it, leaving everyone envious.
Cheng Youyou’s package was stuffed full of stacks of bills.
Director Wang announced, “What you have in front of you is the starting capital for this episode. According to the previous episode, your respective funds are as follows: Cheng Youyou has 49,800 yuan, Zhou Hao has 34,000 yuan, Li Yiyun has 26,000 yuan, Zhao Mengran has 23,000 yuan, and Wang Wensheng has 19,000 yuan.”
Cheng Youyou’s money is more than twice as much as Wang Wensheng’s.
Previously, the program team only announced the numbers of the funds, and everyone didn’t feel the difference much. But now, with the stacks of bills laid out in front of them, the visual impact was quite significant.
Wang Wensheng’s blood boiled with excitement. “Kings and dukes may have their own ambitions, even though I have the least money right now, I can still make a comeback!”
He looked determinedly at Li Yiyun and Zhao Mengran, and the two girls immediately complimented him, “Brother Sheng, you can do it.”
Zhou Hao asked, “Director Wang, are we free to decide what kind of business to do?”
Director Wang nodded, “Yes, sometimes the choice is more important than the effort.”
Zhou Hao summarized, “It’s about letting us choose our business approach, then earning money from these extras. In the end, the person who earns the most money will be the richest person in this city.”
Zhou Hao’s succinct words clearly stated the purpose of this episode.
The other guests also began to contemplate what they should do.
【Zhou Hao is practically the class genius responsible for solving problems.】
【He’s just so good at grasping the key points.】
【In comparison, my Brother Sheng seems like the class underachiever.】
【Why hasn’t Cheng Youyou said a word the whole time?】
【Based on her performance in the last episode, I still think Cheng Youyou is a genius. She always manages to achieve victory in unexpected ways.】
At this moment, Cheng Youyou is counting money with her head down.
Clack, clack, clack, her hands moved quickly, almost getting numb from counting.
After finishing counting, she asked a question that nobody else had thought of: “Director Wang, where is the energy supply station for this episode? Where do I go to buy things?”
【It seems like everyone is thinking about how to make money, while Cheng Youyou is thinking about spending it?】
【Did Cheng Youyou even listen to the briefing or highlight the main points?】
Director Wang was almost thrown off track by Cheng Youyou’s question as well. He calmed down and refocused on the original premise of the program.
Director Wang emphasized, “This episode is about making money, not spending money! Not spending money!”
Cheng Youyou nodded, “Oh.”
Director Wang wasn’t entirely convinced. He asked again, “Cheng Youyou, do you understand the rules of the game?”
Cheng Youyou nodded again, “I understand. There’s nothing to buy in this episode.”
Director Wang: “…”
Director Wang wasn’t sure if Cheng Youyou truly understood or was just pretending for the sake of the show. To keep the program moving forward, Director Wang announced the start of the game.
The five guests stood side by side, pondering what kind of business to pursue.
Zhao Mengran looked at the 23,000 yuan in her hand and reassured herself, “So, it’s the early 1980s now, right?”
Director Wang indicated the simulated time in Chaoyang City: October 1982.
Zhao Mengran’s face lit up. “I’ve got it! I’m going to make clothes.”
“Why do you want to make clothes?” Wang Wensheng asked.
Zhao Mengran smiled sheepishly, “I’m a model, so I have some understanding of fashion design. Besides, I have a general idea about the trends in the 1980s. I’ll buy some fabric and make clothes. I think I can make a good profit.”
Wang Wensheng had no idea what to do himself. He was completely confused at the moment.
However, he didn’t want to showcase his ignorance in front of the camera. This time, he decided to act smarter. He would first inquire about others’ plans and then take action.
Wang Wensheng approached Li Yiyun, who held 26,000 yuan in her hand. “What are you planning to do?”
Li Yiyun was a young girl who had just entered the entertainment industry, still retaining her innocence. She didn’t have a clear idea yet. Inspired by Zhao Mengran just now, she hesitantly responded, “Maybe I’ll sell some facial masks. I quite like cosmetics.”
Both girls had figured out what business they wanted to pursue, Wang Wensheng still lacked direction.
Wang Wensheng asked Zhou Hao, “What about you? What business are you planning to do?”
Zhou Hao’s tone was more decisive than the two girls. “I’m planning to resell electronic devices.”
“Electronic devices?” Wang Wensheng found it intriguing. “What kind of electronic devices?”
Zhou Hao replied, “For example, radios, tape recorders, televisions, those kinds of electronic devices.”
As soon as he finished, Wang Wensheng’s hand, which had been resting arrogantly on his hip, lifted up again. “Xiao Hao, you’re usually so sharp, why can’t you understand now?”
Wang Wensheng pointed to the time indicator board in Chaoyang City. “It clearly says it’s 1982 up there, and Director Wang also said the average salary for residents is only 40 yuan now. Do you really think people have money to buy your stuff? Listen to your Brother Sheng’s advice and don’t do this. Think about a more practical and reliable path instead.”
【Wow, Brother Sheng’s got that dad vibe going strong.】
【Is there something seriously wrong if the underachiever advises the overachiever on a problem?】
【But is selling televisions really reliable?】
Zhou Hao responded, “Just because residents have less money now doesn’t mean they’ll always have less money in the future. Plus, we won’t always be living in 1982. Time moves forward, and as time progresses, everyone’s living standards will also improve.”
“Hold on a second…” Wang Wensheng interrupted Zhou Hao, “Who told you that time will move forward? And how do you know we’re not always living in 1982?”
Zhou Hao pointed at the time indicator board. “Brother Sheng, look at the small text below.”
“Small text? What small text? Why haven’t I seen it?”
Wang Wensheng stretched his neck and squinted, focusing his gaze. Finally, he noticed there was indeed a small line of text below the time indicator board.
Wang Wensheng read out slowly, “In the real world, half an hour is equivalent to one year in Chaoyang City. The total game time for this episode is ten hours.”
【The top student is indeed the top student, with a clear understanding of the question.】
【So, this is like twenty years in real life?】
【Does that mean by the end of the show, it’ll be 2002?】
【Zhou Hao is right. It’s impossible for everyone to keep earning a salary of 40 yuan forever!】
【Zhou Hao really has foresight, seizing the commercial opportunity by leveraging the advantages of the era.】
Wang Wensheng may have been unclear in his initial assessment, but he’s not foolish.
He went from being dad-like in his advice to Zhou Hao to being admiringly sweet now: “Xiao Hao is amazing, always able to spot the details that others can’t.”
Wang Wensheng asked Zhou Hao, “Can you really make money by selling electronic devices?”
Zhou Hao didn’t hide anything. “I just inquired about the wholesale and retail prices of televisions. I can make 300 yuan profit from selling one.”
“300 yuan?” Wang Wensheng took a sharp breath, his eyes widening. “You can make 300 yuan from selling just one television?”
Zhou Hao nodded.
【Out of sight for three years, comes back eating for three years】
【Don’t underestimate him for not selling much; electronic devices have high profits.】
Wang Wensheng figured it out. “Then I’ll invest in televisions too.”
Zhou Hao pointed to a small line of text on the sign again. “Did you notice there’s another line of small text?”
Zhou Hao read aloud, “Rule 2: Celebrity guests cannot choose the same type of business.”
Wang Wensheng exclaimed in regret, “Such a great opportunity, why didn’t I think of it earlier?”
At that moment, the broadcast in Chaoyang City rang out, “The game has been going on for 5 minutes, equivalent to two months in Chaoyang City.”
Zhou Hao didn’t waste time with Wang Wensheng anymore. He waved his hand. “You think about it first, I’ve got things to do.”
Zhao Mengran and Li Yiyun also seized the opportunity to do business, leaving Wang Wensheng at a loss; he still hadn’t figured out what to do yet.
Just as Wang Wensheng was feeling lost, he noticed Cheng Youyou lazily strolling back from a distance.
Wang Wensheng turned to look at where everyone had gathered. “Where did you go? Weren’t you with us just now?”
Cheng Youyou casually pointed towards the streets of Chaoyang City. “I just took a stroll around this place.”
The scenes set up by the program team were as authentic as possible, recreating the urban setting of the 1980s. Inside, there were state-owned stores and restaurants, all quite complete.
Wang Wensheng: “…By the way. Have you figured out what you want to sell?”
Cheng Youyou replied, “No, I’m not really interested in anything in the state-owned shops. I haven’t figured out what to buy yet.”
Wang Wensheng clarified, “I meant sell, not buy.”
Cheng Youyou suddenly clapped her hands. “I’ve made up my mind. I’m going to buy a house!”
Wang Wensheng realized that Cheng Youyou was on a completely different wavelength from him, and he wasn’t sure what ideas she could offer him.
Wang Wensheng said, “Go ahead, go buy a house.”
Cheng Youyou replied, “Alright.”
With a wave of her hand, she left.
Wang Wensheng shrugged, “She’s less reliable than me.”
【Does Cheng Youyou even understand the rules?】
【It’s about selling, not buying!”】
【Did she rally just say she wants to buy houses?】
Cheng Youyou explored every corner of Chaoyang City, but couldn’t find a single item in the state-owned shops that sparked her desire to purchase.
However, just a moment ago, she had an epiphany. She decided to go buy houses.
In real life, she’s never experienced the extravagance of buying a house, and she wants to make it happen in this simulated city.
In any case, she now had a modest fifty thousand yuan, making Cheng Youyou a super-rich figure in Chaoyang City, where the average wage was only 40 yuan.
Cheng Youyou wasted no time. She immediately grabbed one of the extras playing a citizen of Chaoyang City and asked, “Do we have anyone here selling houses?”
【Wait, is she really going to buy a house?”】
【I thought she was just messing with Wang Wensheng, but is she actually serious?”】
The passerby paused for a moment upon hearing Cheng Youyou’s question.
The program team assigned various roles to the extras, including those who sell rice, noodles, and oil, but there’s definitely no one selling houses.
The passerby Cheng Youyou caught doesn’t even have a functional role.
Today, he was just an ordinary citizen responsible for spending money, with no remarkable role. His purpose was to facilitate the circulation of currency through shopping, thereby boosting the city’s GDP.
As the simulated business game has just begun, and the careers of all celebrity guests haven’t started yet. At this moment, this passerby, as an inconsequential character, had yet to start spending money. Currently, he was just wandering aimlessly around the city.
Cheng Youyou asked again, “You don’t sell anything, do you?”
The passerby thought about their identity and replied, “I’m just an ordinary citizen.”
Cheng Youyou then asked, “Then does your family sell houses?”
The passerby was taken aback: “Huh?”
That line wasn’t in the script at all.
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