Reading settings
Chapter 654: He's a Gentleman Scoundrel
Chi Feichei drove the car to the Streetside and stopped, preparing to pick up Suzuki Sonoko.
He had a THK Company meeting today and needed to pick up Suzuki Sonoko to go to the Company together.
Haibara Ai stopped looking. After pondering for a moment, she screenshotted the Directory Page, then screenshotted and organized two famous and two less-known reports, and three short stories, but only a Portion of each. Before publishing the post, she turned her Head to ask Chi Feichei for his Opinion, "Brother Hichiji, do you think this is okay?"
After Chi Feichei parked the Car, he turned his Head to look at the Computer Screen. "The screenshots are good."
Good, truly worthy of being from the Chi Family. The screenshots cut off at the most exciting part of the story, tempting people to purchase the Data Package to continue reading.
"Isn't that how you pique people's Appetite when you make Variety Show Trailers?" Haibara Ai retorted.
Her 'lack of virtue' was learned from Chi Feichei.
Chi Feichei didn't retort. Seeing that Haibara Ai's Post Headline was 'Information and Gossip about Bounty Hunters', he criticized without being Polite, "The Headline is too poor, completely lacking in attraction."
Haibara Ai: "..."
See? The stories are all lies.
She didn't Know what the people who wrote those stories were thinking, to Actually think that July was a gentle, deeply affectionate, and considerate person.
Chi Feichei reached out and typed on the Keyboard, changing the Headline of the Post that hadn't been published yet.
[Painstakingly Compiled: Over 10,000 pieces of Information and Stories about Bounty Hunters, the Most Comprehensive Related Reports Compiled from the Last Decade]
Haibara Ai had to admit that this Headline was more attractive than her previous one. 'Over 10,000 pieces' made it seem very generous, worth purchasing no matter what. As For the phrase 'Painstakingly Compiled'... *cough*, compiling so much Data was Indeed not Easy. "This Data Package is worth buying even at 5 US Dollars. Whether or Not we should increase the Price Increase?"
"How long do you think this Data Package can sell for?" Chi Feichei Suddenly asked.
Haibara Ai pondered.
How long can it sell?
She hadn't carefully Considered this Question.
Logically speaking, as long as the Post exists, it can sell for as long as it's up. But she Suddenly Realized a Possibility: what if someone buys the Data Package and releases it for free?
If there's a Channel to obtain it for free, Why would Others still spend Money to buy hers?
"If the selling price is 1 US Dollar, and 100 people See it, for the sake of the Stories and the Data inside, 90 people will think spending 1 US Dollar is Nothing. They're too lazy to search in other Places, so they're Willing to spend the Money. If the selling price is 5 US Dollars, how many out of 100 people do you Think will feel they can't just spend Money based on the Headline, worrying that the content inside isn't worth 5 US Dollars? While they're Hesitating, if they Know there's a Channel to obtain it for free, how many people do you Think will still spend Money?" Chi Feichei patiently analyzed for Haibara Ai, "Don't forget, there's also the Possibility of private sharing and spreading among Friends. So this Data Package won't sell for long. Setting a low price allows for impulse Consumption, and After Consumption, they feel it wasn't a Loss, accumulating good Reputation. Then, more people who observe will Purchase."
Haibara Ai Understood. She decisively set the price at 1 US Dollar, published the paid download Post, and continued browsing the Forum.
This Forum was very large; the Panel she was just on was just a branch.
From the introduction of the Rule, as long as enough people participated in opening a certain Forum, Umbrella would Help open a small Forum, which would upgrade with the number of users joining and daily activity.
If this continues, the Umbrella Forum will likely develop into a giant composed of large and small Forums.
Paid Posts were a new Project launched by Umbrella Company. The most paid Posts were in the Game Forum, where some Guide Posts had already enabled payment. There weren't many paid Posts in the other Panel's small Forums yet.
Paid Posts are published by Users, and the Profit goes to the Users. If Money needs to be withdrawn from the Account to a Bank card, a Handling Fee and Tax will also be charged.
The Handling Fee wasn't high, less than 1%.
The Forum provided a Platform and needed to connect with Banks. Charging a Handling Fee wasn't Excessive. Moreover, one could sell the Network Information collected daily to increase Income. What more could you ask for?
But calculating carefully, as long as there are more paid Posts, Umbrella can make another large sum on the Forum. Additionally, the Forum also has VIP Membership.
The reason for saying 'another' was Because she had paid attention when she was Bored. The Game Items, VIP Membership, and other Projects attached to the UL Chat Software also Seemingly made a lot of Money.
Haibara Ai looked at the Forum for a while, then decisively went online to search for Information about Umbrella.
There was a main Forum within the Umbrella Forum where some Data about Umbrella Company could be found.
Umbrella's Registration Location was in Britain. The Executive Director was named Mike Wilson, who was currently in charge of Umbrella Company. He was Originally from America. The Man in the Photo looked to be in his thirties, wearing Glasses, refined and handsome.
Chi Feichei, who was playing on his Mobile Phone nearby, turned his Head and found that Haibara Ai was looking at Wilson's Data. "Why are you looking at this?"
Haibara Ai turned her Head to look at Chi Feichei, her small Face serious. "Umbrella Company's Registration Location is in Britain. Can you Contact Mike Wilson?"
"Cannot," Chi Feichei answered decisively.
Haibara Ai was speechless.
Could that Wilson be an Important Figure from a certain large Conglomerate?
Wrong, with Brother Hichiji's Identity as the Successor of two Transnational Corporations, Even If he were a direct descendant of a large Conglomerate, he Should be able to Contact him...
Could that Wilson be very arrogant?
"Father doesn't let me see him," Chi Feichei Said.
Haibara Ai was filled with Doubt. "Why?"
Chi Feichei: "He's a gentleman scoundrel."
Haibara Ai: "..."
(゜ロ゜)
A... a gentleman scoundrel?
Could the two families have Enmity? That would be a bit difficult to handle.
Haibara Ai paused for a moment, then seriously analyzed for Chi Feichei, "I don't understand Business very well, But from Online Chat Tools to Online Forums, Umbrella's Development is getting better and better. Even if I haven't done an Investigation, I can See from the Situation around me that among the Young People in Japan, eighty percent use UL Chat Software, and it's gradually spreading to the middle-aged crowd. Umbrella Company doesn't Seem to be making much Money, Because the Chat Software is free, and the Forum only charges a Handling Fee for withdrawing funds. But their Investment in the Forum won't be a Loss, and the UL Chat Software goes without saying. Looking at the example of activating membership, they are not losing Money maintaining the Platform's operation, and they are making a Profit. They will make more and more Money in the future..."
Chi Feichei listened to Haibara Ai's Analysis with Interest.
The Umbrella Network hadn't shown its Fangs yet. He wanted to Know how much Haibara Ai could See.
"Their Ambition is not just limited to this. They are frantically attracting Users to join, attempting to monopolize, developing other online Panels, attempting to monopolize more online Projects," Haibara Ai's small Face became serious, looking directly at Chi Feichei, "Moreover, although the Money stored in User Accounts can be withdrawn to a Bank Account, some people are not in a hurry to withdraw..."
Haibara Ai Suddenly stopped.
Chi Feichei encouraged, "Continue speaking."
"Uh-huh... I don't understand Finance very well, But if it develops like this, they will invisibly possess a large Amount of Activity Funds, just like a Bank's operation. As long as it's ensured that there are no Problems with the Amount Users withdraw, the remaining Money can be Used For Investment or self-development. If possible, I want Godmother and Uncle Shinnosuke to Contact Umbrella Company. It would be best to invest early and get Shares. We won't lose Money in the future. Even If we can't get Shares, at least maintain a good Relationship," Haibara Ai frowned slightly, a bit worried. "If the two families have Enmity, it's better to Start Doing something early and not let Umbrella Company develop!"
"Do you Think it's still in Time to hinder Umbrella Company's Development now?" Chi Feichei asked.
Haibara Ai was silent and pondered for a moment. She didn't want to admit it, But she felt it was too late. Hindering it now would be difficult, and they might even try to gain something but end up losing more. "Then... should we try to repair the Relationship? Or find a Method to get Shares? With online Funds, Umbrella Should not lack operating funds. They might not Necessarily value the Investments from Banks like Field Group's. But there are many Means to get Shares, For Example, buying them at a high price from Minor Shareholders..."
"Umbrella is not yet listed on the stock market, and their Funds are also Abundant. They temporarily have no Intention of financing, so it's very difficult to get Shares. As For the Shares in the Hands of those Minor Shareholders, do you Think they will sell?" Chi Feichei asked Again.
"As long as they're not stupid, they won't sell," Haibara Ai sighed inwardly, feeling a bit unwilling. "Then can we try to repair the Relationship?"
"Are you that afraid of Umbrella?" Chi Feichei resisted the urge to laugh.
Haibara Ai carefully chose her Words, wanting to persuade Chi Feichei to take it a bit more seriously. "It's not fear, But Umbrella's Development momentum is too strong..."
Seeing Haibara Ai worried, Chi Feichei didn't probe further. "Didn't Mother tell you? Umbrella Company's current major Shareholder is Mr. Shinnosuke."
"Hey?" Haibara Ai was a bit stunned.
"The second Shareholder is Mrs. Kana," Chi Feichei continued. "The Company was Originally established by them throwing in their own Money."
Haibara Ai: "..."
That means Umbrella Company belongs to our Family?
This News is too astonishing. She needed a moment to process.
"The Minor Shareholders include me, Kikuto Morizono, Toshiya, and Wilson. Together we hold less than 2% of the Shares. No one intends to sell their Shares," Chi Feichei continued to introduce. "Wilson is responsible for the Company's Management. He is a very capable person."
"Godmother hasn't told me about this," Haibara Ai looked speechlessly at Chi Feichei. "Then why did you say Mr. Wilson is a gentleman scoundrel?"
(﹁“﹁)
If it weren't for that, she wouldn't have treated Umbrella Company as a potential adversary.
Chi Feichei: "..."
It's really hard to talk about Wilson harassing him.
"Is it Because he has a bad Relationship with you?" Seeing Chi Feichei fall silent, Haibara Ai thought of a Possibility.
Although Umbrella is Godmother and Uncle Shinnosuke's Company, it's also possible that Wilson and Brother Hichiji have a bad Relationship, and there might be Conflicts or Misunderstandings that are difficult to resolve quickly.
Then she had to try and persuade him. Evading isn't the solution.
"It's not exactly bad..." Chi Feichei ended the Topic. "Children don't need to Know."
Haibara Ai: "..."
This is looking down on Children!
"Brother Hichiji!"
Suzuki Sonoko, just like before, as if afraid others wouldn't know she was greeting someone, waved carelessly on the Road, then quickly walked towards the Car.
Mouri Ran also followed, stepping forward, and beside her was a certain Conan who had run back to Teitan High School After School Dismissal to wait for Mouri Ran to go Home together.
When Suzuki Sonoko got closer, Haibara Ai finally saw that Suzuki Sonoko had drawn a 'Gruesome Mouth Makeup' on her Face with Lipstick. The Lipstick covered her Lips and was extended onto her cheeks.
Yet, after Suzuki Sonoko walked to the Car Side, she still unconsciously grinned at the Two People inside the Car. "Brother Hichiji, Ai!"
Chi Feichei and Haibara Ai were silent. Their Actions were neat and uniform as they turned their Heads to look at the Road ahead.
It was too much for their Eyes.
Don't speak, don't look directly, don't express an Opinion. Let Suzuki Sonoko figure it out herself.
Suzuki Sonoko: "..."
She felt their disgust...
Conan saw Suzuki Sonoko's depressed Face and explained the Situation with a bit of schadenfreude. "Sonoko heard Ran say that we went to that Haunted Apartment yesterday, so she put on Makeup to look like the 'Slit-Mouthed Woman' to scare Ran."
End of Chapter
Chi Feichei drove the car to the Streetside and stopped, preparing to pick up Suzuki Sonoko.
He had a THK Company meeting today and needed to pick up Suzuki Sonoko to go to the Company together.
Haibara Ai stopped looking. After pondering for a moment, she screenshotted the Directory Page, then screenshotted and organized two famous and two less-known reports, and three short stories, but only a Portion of each. Before publishing the post, she turned her Head to ask Chi Feichei for his Opinion, "Brother Hichiji, do you think this is okay?"
After Chi Feichei parked the Car, he turned his Head to look at the Computer Screen. "The screenshots are good."
Good, truly worthy of being from the Chi Family. The screenshots cut off at the most exciting part of the story, tempting people to purchase the Data Package to continue reading.
"Isn't that how you pique people's Appetite when you make Variety Show Trailers?" Haibara Ai retorted.
Her 'lack of virtue' was learned from Chi Feichei.
Chi Feichei didn't retort. Seeing that Haibara Ai's Post Headline was 'Information and Gossip about Bounty Hunters', he criticized without being Polite, "The Headline is too poor, completely lacking in attraction."
Haibara Ai: "..."
See? The stories are all lies.
She didn't Know what the people who wrote those stories were thinking, to Actually think that July was a gentle, deeply affectionate, and considerate person.
Chi Feichei reached out and typed on the Keyboard, changing the Headline of the Post that hadn't been published yet.
[Painstakingly Compiled: Over 10,000 pieces of Information and Stories about Bounty Hunters, the Most Comprehensive Related Reports Compiled from the Last Decade]
Haibara Ai had to admit that this Headline was more attractive than her previous one. 'Over 10,000 pieces' made it seem very generous, worth purchasing no matter what. As For the phrase 'Painstakingly Compiled'... *cough*, compiling so much Data was Indeed not Easy. "This Data Package is worth buying even at 5 US Dollars. Whether or Not we should increase the Price Increase?"
"How long do you think this Data Package can sell for?" Chi Feichei Suddenly asked.
Haibara Ai pondered.
How long can it sell?
She hadn't carefully Considered this Question.
Logically speaking, as long as the Post exists, it can sell for as long as it's up. But she Suddenly Realized a Possibility: what if someone buys the Data Package and releases it for free?
If there's a Channel to obtain it for free, Why would Others still spend Money to buy hers?
"If the selling price is 1 US Dollar, and 100 people See it, for the sake of the Stories and the Data inside, 90 people will think spending 1 US Dollar is Nothing. They're too lazy to search in other Places, so they're Willing to spend the Money. If the selling price is 5 US Dollars, how many out of 100 people do you Think will feel they can't just spend Money based on the Headline, worrying that the content inside isn't worth 5 US Dollars? While they're Hesitating, if they Know there's a Channel to obtain it for free, how many people do you Think will still spend Money?" Chi Feichei patiently analyzed for Haibara Ai, "Don't forget, there's also the Possibility of private sharing and spreading among Friends. So this Data Package won't sell for long. Setting a low price allows for impulse Consumption, and After Consumption, they feel it wasn't a Loss, accumulating good Reputation. Then, more people who observe will Purchase."
Haibara Ai Understood. She decisively set the price at 1 US Dollar, published the paid download Post, and continued browsing the Forum.
This Forum was very large; the Panel she was just on was just a branch.
From the introduction of the Rule, as long as enough people participated in opening a certain Forum, Umbrella would Help open a small Forum, which would upgrade with the number of users joining and daily activity.
If this continues, the Umbrella Forum will likely develop into a giant composed of large and small Forums.
Paid Posts were a new Project launched by Umbrella Company. The most paid Posts were in the Game Forum, where some Guide Posts had already enabled payment. There weren't many paid Posts in the other Panel's small Forums yet.
Paid Posts are published by Users, and the Profit goes to the Users. If Money needs to be withdrawn from the Account to a Bank card, a Handling Fee and Tax will also be charged.
The Handling Fee wasn't high, less than 1%.
The Forum provided a Platform and needed to connect with Banks. Charging a Handling Fee wasn't Excessive. Moreover, one could sell the Network Information collected daily to increase Income. What more could you ask for?
But calculating carefully, as long as there are more paid Posts, Umbrella can make another large sum on the Forum. Additionally, the Forum also has VIP Membership.
The reason for saying 'another' was Because she had paid attention when she was Bored. The Game Items, VIP Membership, and other Projects attached to the UL Chat Software also Seemingly made a lot of Money.
Haibara Ai looked at the Forum for a while, then decisively went online to search for Information about Umbrella.
There was a main Forum within the Umbrella Forum where some Data about Umbrella Company could be found.
Umbrella's Registration Location was in Britain. The Executive Director was named Mike Wilson, who was currently in charge of Umbrella Company. He was Originally from America. The Man in the Photo looked to be in his thirties, wearing Glasses, refined and handsome.
Chi Feichei, who was playing on his Mobile Phone nearby, turned his Head and found that Haibara Ai was looking at Wilson's Data. "Why are you looking at this?"
Haibara Ai turned her Head to look at Chi Feichei, her small Face serious. "Umbrella Company's Registration Location is in Britain. Can you Contact Mike Wilson?"
"Cannot," Chi Feichei answered decisively.
Haibara Ai was speechless.
Could that Wilson be an Important Figure from a certain large Conglomerate?
Wrong, with Brother Hichiji's Identity as the Successor of two Transnational Corporations, Even If he were a direct descendant of a large Conglomerate, he Should be able to Contact him...
Could that Wilson be very arrogant?
"Father doesn't let me see him," Chi Feichei Said.
Haibara Ai was filled with Doubt. "Why?"
Chi Feichei: "He's a gentleman scoundrel."
Haibara Ai: "..."
(゜ロ゜)
A... a gentleman scoundrel?
Could the two families have Enmity? That would be a bit difficult to handle.
Haibara Ai paused for a moment, then seriously analyzed for Chi Feichei, "I don't understand Business very well, But from Online Chat Tools to Online Forums, Umbrella's Development is getting better and better. Even if I haven't done an Investigation, I can See from the Situation around me that among the Young People in Japan, eighty percent use UL Chat Software, and it's gradually spreading to the middle-aged crowd. Umbrella Company doesn't Seem to be making much Money, Because the Chat Software is free, and the Forum only charges a Handling Fee for withdrawing funds. But their Investment in the Forum won't be a Loss, and the UL Chat Software goes without saying. Looking at the example of activating membership, they are not losing Money maintaining the Platform's operation, and they are making a Profit. They will make more and more Money in the future..."
Chi Feichei listened to Haibara Ai's Analysis with Interest.
The Umbrella Network hadn't shown its Fangs yet. He wanted to Know how much Haibara Ai could See.
"Their Ambition is not just limited to this. They are frantically attracting Users to join, attempting to monopolize, developing other online Panels, attempting to monopolize more online Projects," Haibara Ai's small Face became serious, looking directly at Chi Feichei, "Moreover, although the Money stored in User Accounts can be withdrawn to a Bank Account, some people are not in a hurry to withdraw..."
Haibara Ai Suddenly stopped.
Chi Feichei encouraged, "Continue speaking."
"Uh-huh... I don't understand Finance very well, But if it develops like this, they will invisibly possess a large Amount of Activity Funds, just like a Bank's operation. As long as it's ensured that there are no Problems with the Amount Users withdraw, the remaining Money can be Used For Investment or self-development. If possible, I want Godmother and Uncle Shinnosuke to Contact Umbrella Company. It would be best to invest early and get Shares. We won't lose Money in the future. Even If we can't get Shares, at least maintain a good Relationship," Haibara Ai frowned slightly, a bit worried. "If the two families have Enmity, it's better to Start Doing something early and not let Umbrella Company develop!"
"Do you Think it's still in Time to hinder Umbrella Company's Development now?" Chi Feichei asked.
Haibara Ai was silent and pondered for a moment. She didn't want to admit it, But she felt it was too late. Hindering it now would be difficult, and they might even try to gain something but end up losing more. "Then... should we try to repair the Relationship? Or find a Method to get Shares? With online Funds, Umbrella Should not lack operating funds. They might not Necessarily value the Investments from Banks like Field Group's. But there are many Means to get Shares, For Example, buying them at a high price from Minor Shareholders..."
"Umbrella is not yet listed on the stock market, and their Funds are also Abundant. They temporarily have no Intention of financing, so it's very difficult to get Shares. As For the Shares in the Hands of those Minor Shareholders, do you Think they will sell?" Chi Feichei asked Again.
"As long as they're not stupid, they won't sell," Haibara Ai sighed inwardly, feeling a bit unwilling. "Then can we try to repair the Relationship?"
"Are you that afraid of Umbrella?" Chi Feichei resisted the urge to laugh.
Haibara Ai carefully chose her Words, wanting to persuade Chi Feichei to take it a bit more seriously. "It's not fear, But Umbrella's Development momentum is too strong..."
Seeing Haibara Ai worried, Chi Feichei didn't probe further. "Didn't Mother tell you? Umbrella Company's current major Shareholder is Mr. Shinnosuke."
"Hey?" Haibara Ai was a bit stunned.
"The second Shareholder is Mrs. Kana," Chi Feichei continued. "The Company was Originally established by them throwing in their own Money."
Haibara Ai: "..."
That means Umbrella Company belongs to our Family?
This News is too astonishing. She needed a moment to process.
"The Minor Shareholders include me, Kikuto Morizono, Toshiya, and Wilson. Together we hold less than 2% of the Shares. No one intends to sell their Shares," Chi Feichei continued to introduce. "Wilson is responsible for the Company's Management. He is a very capable person."
"Godmother hasn't told me about this," Haibara Ai looked speechlessly at Chi Feichei. "Then why did you say Mr. Wilson is a gentleman scoundrel?"
(﹁“﹁)
If it weren't for that, she wouldn't have treated Umbrella Company as a potential adversary.
Chi Feichei: "..."
It's really hard to talk about Wilson harassing him.
"Is it Because he has a bad Relationship with you?" Seeing Chi Feichei fall silent, Haibara Ai thought of a Possibility.
Although Umbrella is Godmother and Uncle Shinnosuke's Company, it's also possible that Wilson and Brother Hichiji have a bad Relationship, and there might be Conflicts or Misunderstandings that are difficult to resolve quickly.
Then she had to try and persuade him. Evading isn't the solution.
"It's not exactly bad..." Chi Feichei ended the Topic. "Children don't need to Know."
Haibara Ai: "..."
This is looking down on Children!
"Brother Hichiji!"
Suzuki Sonoko, just like before, as if afraid others wouldn't know she was greeting someone, waved carelessly on the Road, then quickly walked towards the Car.
Mouri Ran also followed, stepping forward, and beside her was a certain Conan who had run back to Teitan High School After School Dismissal to wait for Mouri Ran to go Home together.
When Suzuki Sonoko got closer, Haibara Ai finally saw that Suzuki Sonoko had drawn a 'Gruesome Mouth Makeup' on her Face with Lipstick. The Lipstick covered her Lips and was extended onto her cheeks.
Yet, after Suzuki Sonoko walked to the Car Side, she still unconsciously grinned at the Two People inside the Car. "Brother Hichiji, Ai!"
Chi Feichei and Haibara Ai were silent. Their Actions were neat and uniform as they turned their Heads to look at the Road ahead.
It was too much for their Eyes.
Don't speak, don't look directly, don't express an Opinion. Let Suzuki Sonoko figure it out herself.
Suzuki Sonoko: "..."
She felt their disgust...
Conan saw Suzuki Sonoko's depressed Face and explained the Situation with a bit of schadenfreude. "Sonoko heard Ran say that we went to that Haunted Apartment yesterday, so she put on Makeup to look like the 'Slit-Mouthed Woman' to scare Ran."
End of Chapter
