Chapter 34: Chapter 34: Starting a Business Requires Startup Capital? You Need 10,000 Yuan?

"Hold on, don’t be in such a rush. I know you’re dying to officially launch this startup today," Liang Jinhua said with a smile.

He started by showing him his company’s business license and photos of contracts with various corporations.

"Here, take a look. These are some photos from my entrepreneurial ventures over the years." Liang Jinhua handed the tablet to Jiang Sifan.

Jiang Sifan scrolled through the images. When he saw a photo of Liang Jinhua standing in front of the Alibaba Building, he was floored. "Senior, you... you even have a partnership with Alibaba?!"

"I only have a partnership with one of their subsidiaries. It’s nothing special, really."

Liang Jinhua’s humble attitude made Jiang Sifan admire him even more. "No, no, Senior! For someone as young as you to partner with an Alibaba subsidiary is something to be proud of. How could you say it’s nothing special?! I’ve never even started a business!"

Pan Lindong chimed in at the perfect moment. "Actually, our Senior Liang is incredibly humble. He’s even met Jack Ma before. He attended one of his symposiums."

"Whoa there, Lin Dong, no need to bring that up." Liang Jinhua waved his hand dismissively, chuckling. "I just attended a symposium, that’s all. Anyone who didn’t know better would think I’d ascended the throne or something."

He looked at Jiang Sifan and said, "Junior, the future belongs to young people like you. Don’t worry, as long as you have the drive, there are plenty of opportunities."

He then took out a few bookkeeping reports. "Look, these are all the bookkeeping reports we’ve prepared for our client companies."

While Jiang Sifan looked them over, Liang Jinhua explained, "Most sole proprietors around campus don’t understand finance and taxes, which creates a demand for bookkeeping services. Of course, some clever juniors at the school have already thought of this. But the biggest problem they face is not having the official certification for bookkeeping, so potential clients don’t trust them."

"Plus, they don’t have the resources to find targeted clients. All they can do is endlessly hand out flyers, going door-to-door."

Jiang Sifan grew curious. "So... if I were to take on this project, what would I need to do?"

"Don’t you worry. Their biggest hurdle is no issue for me at all," Liang Jinhua explained. "Have you forgotten? I run a bookkeeping company. I have the official certification. And I haven’t been sitting idle these past few years, either. I’ve already paid to compile a list of all the sole proprietors around Jinling Institute of Technology. The only problem is that my company is seriously understaffed, which is why I need to develop a downline."

Jiang Sifan’s excitement grew. "That’s fantastic! So, Senior, what do I need to do?"

’He knew, of course, that Liang Jinhua wouldn’t help him for nothing.’

’Logically, the income would be split according to some kind of ratio.’

’As long as Liang Jinhua wasn’t too greedy, he’d agree.’

’After all, Liang Jinhua was providing the business plan and arranging the resources. He’d just be the workhorse doing the execution.’

’He was well aware of that.’

Liang Jinhua smiled. "So, does that mean you’re on board with the project? But I have to give you a word of warning: starting a business is risky, so you need to be careful. Think it through. This isn’t a sure-fire, can’t-lose deal. Nothing in this world is."

"Don’t worry, Senior. I understand all that. I’m just happy you’re willing to give me a chance, Senior Jinhua," Jiang Sifan replied.

"Here’s the deal," Liang Jinhua explained. "We’ll split the revenue from the bookkeeping services seventy-thirty. You personally get seventy percent, and our company gets thirty. As for how many people you hire to help you, that’s your business. We just want our thirty percent cut."

Jiang Sifan was shocked that Liang Jinhua only wanted a thirty percent cut. ’This must be the benefit of being fellow alumni!’

Just when Jiang Sifan was fired up and ready to make a big splash, Liang Jinhua added, "However... there are a few fees you’ll have to pay upfront."

Hearing this, Jiang Sifan asked apprehensively, "Senior, what kind of fees?"

"Well, there’s an annual fee for the accounting software, like the small business editions of Kingdee or Yonyou. That’s three thousand yuan a year," Liang Jinhua explained. "Then there are printing costs for the certification filing documents, courier fees, initial social media promotion, and the cost of printing flyers. The total startup capital comes out to around ten thousand yuan."

Hearing that it would cost ten thousand yuan, Jiang Sifan was suddenly in a bind.

’Right now, he couldn’t even scrape together one or two thousand yuan, let alone ten thousand!’

Seeing Jiang Sifan hesitate, Liang Jinhua seized the opportunity. "Don’t worry. I know it’s a lot of money for a college student. But as the saying goes, ’nothing ventured, nothing gained.’ There’s no such thing as a zero-cost business in this world."

"Besides, once this project takes off, you’ll be making money in your sleep every month, right?"

Pan Lindong saw his chance and chimed in, "That’s right, Junior Sifan! You have no idea how much I had to talk you up to Senior Jinhua just to get him to agree to meet you. You can’t back out now just because of some initial investment!"

As a college freshman, how could Jiang Sifan possibly stand a chance against the persuasion of these two old foxes?

After weighing his options, his resolve hardened.

He gritted his teeth and nodded. "Alright! Senior Jinhua, just give me some time. I’ll go raise the money."

"Excellent. How about this," Liang Jinhua said magnanimously. "I feel like we’re fated to work together. I’ll cover five hundred yuan of the cost myself. You just need to come up with ninety-five hundred for the initial investment!"

"Thank you, Senior Jinhua! I definitely won’t disappoint you!" Jiang Sifan said, bowing once more.

After a few more minutes of small talk, Jiang Sifan left.

Before getting up, Pan Lindong exchanged a look with Liang Jinhua, then got up as well to walk Jiang Sifan out.

Before they got in the elevator, Pan Lindong said in a heartfelt tone, "Junior Sifan, I think you’ve got real potential. I don’t mind telling you, someone once offered me money to put in a good word for them with Senior Jinhua, but I didn’t think they were reliable, so I turned them down flat."

"But we clicked, so I recommended you without hesitation. Don’t let me down, alright?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Sifan immediately nodded and promised, "Don’t worry, Senior Lin Dong! I’ll definitely work hard. Once the project takes off, I’ll be sure to treat you to a nice meal!"

"Sounds good, sounds good, haha! Alright, get back safe. We’ll keep in touch on WeChat."

"Okay."

On his way back to school, Jiang Sifan’s mood began to change from excitement to distress.

’The path to a successful startup was about to be paved for him, but where was he going to get the startup capital?’

’Ask Aunt Zhang for a month’s salary in advance?’

’Knowing Aunt Zhang, she’d probably agree.’

’But that was only a little over three thousand yuan. He’d still be seven thousand short!’

’Get it from his sister?’

’Jiang Silu? That girl was probably even more broke than he was. Forget it.’

’Ask his mom?’

The moment the thought occurred, Jiang Sifan immediately dismissed it.

’Jiang Yixia had been through enough over the years; he couldn’t add to his mother’s burden.’

’As for asking his father, whom he hated, that was completely out of the question.’

After racking his brain, Jiang Sifan thought of his girlfriend, Huang Hui.

’Wait!’

’Did she send me a WeChat message?’

The thought jolted him. He immediately pulled out his phone and opened WeChat.

Huang Hui had sent him a message an hour ago: "Haha, you can do it! I’m waiting for my baby to buy me an iPhone!"

Seeing her message, Jiang Sifan felt even more reluctant to ask her for money.

With a heavy heart, he continued walking toward the school gate.

Meanwhile, Huang Hui had spent the last hour taking dozens of selfies.

She then picked out the nine she thought were the best and posted them on her WeChat Moments.

An instant later, Lin Bei had already liked the post.