Chapter 131: Slice of Pie (1/2)
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In a flash, the May holiday was officially over and on May third, the three men flew back home to Haicheng. After arriving at their apartment, while Gu Yu went to pickup townhouse from the pet hotel, Zhang Siyi organized his photographs. He separated all sixteen-gigs worth of photos into folders with labels and notes.
Even with a few embarrassing moments, Zhang Siyi thought the trip was a great success. The amount of information that he gained from staying at high-end hotels was a one-of-a-kind experience. He really valued his learning experience through his on-site viewing of the various cultural villages and especially Dai architecture.
All he can hope for now is that the project pass otherwise he going to be in debt and owe Tao Fei a lot of money! (=_=)
Seeing Zhang Siyi work so diligently, Gu Yu smiled. Given the late hour and how tired they were from their journey and the fact that they had to return to work tomorrow, Gu Yu and Zhang Siyi stayed in their own rooms for the night.
Early the next morning, Zhang Siyi went to work with the project in mind and determination to see it through. As soon as he arrived at the company, Tao Fei told him to meet him in the conference room. Hearing the fast speed in which Tao Fei spoke and in such a serious tone, Zhang Siyi thought something was wrong.…… Is it possible that Tao Fei also felt the pressure of ‘hotel expenses’? (=_=)
For the early stages of development of this project, there are only two of us. The first report is on May 15. Since Party-A will personally come to our company we won’t have to travel and thus, we have a total of eleven days to come up with a preliminary conceptual design which includes site planning as well as tourism design and architectural concept design…”
Zhang Siyi: “What is tourism design?”
Tao Fei: “Tourism design is specialized content that specifically aims to provide tourists with services. For example, at Jingmai Mountains. There were various supporting attractions around like Pu’er tea factory or visiting the ancient village and Lahu Family stockades. Not only do tourist want to visit a place, but they want to experience the place and make lasting memories as well. Architects design the environment by providing concepts for the supporting facilities and attractions. With regards to the implementation of tourism design, we don’t have to worry about it. There are travel design companies that specialize in building the content.
Zhang Siyi nodded: “Got it.”
Tao Fei: “Our mission isn’t easy. There are more than one-hundred hectares of site planning to do that cover a comprehensive high-end hotel concept design with twenty or more single high-end tourist villas. In addition, there is a green tea garden landscape design, a lookout tower landmark and other attractions.”
Hearing ‘more than one-hundred hectares’, Zhang Siyi realized the urgency of the matter. Although the land mass is half the size of the Z-City project, the Z-City plan utilized many people and 20 days to accomplish the proposal. With only the two of them to devise a concept and make a plan, will elven days be enough?
After Tao Fei finished speaking, he slapped the table with his hand and said: “Time is tight!”
Knowing the task at hand, Zhang Siyi balked and spit: “Who was the one that said it can be done in three to five days!?”
Tao Fei gave him a sideways glance: “We have three to five days of drawing but ten days to plan.”
Not feeling assured, Zhang Siyi looked at Tao Fei skeptically.
Noticing Zhang Siyi skepticism, Tao Fei explained: “We have to provide the concept of the entire plan, but we don’t have to draw the whole thing. Just one slice of pie.”
Zhang Siyi: “Aaahh!” Unexpectedly, Tao Fei ‘profound’ solution was to draw a slice of pie!
Zhang Siyi angrily said: “Are you kidding me? Isn’t it foolish to only draw one part?”
Tao Fei raised an eyebrow: “How is it foolish? The more detailed the slice is, the more attractive it will be and thus more tempting. Gu Yu said there are other companies vying for the bid on this project. If we present the entire plan and they decide they don’t like it, it is our loss of time and money.
Zhang Siyi: “…… That kind of thing…… is it alright?”
Tao Fei explained: “Of course, using a loop-hole is nothing new in the industry! So, lets plan a beautiful pie and draw a slice for the first time. Since the purpose of our slice is to showcase our design concept, it doesn’t matter if we finish the whole pie. Let them take a bite of our delicious pie. When they sign the contract and give us money, we can continue feeding them the whole thing.”
Zhang Siyi shook his head in disbelief. It’s really fucking sneaky! However, knowing that this black heart fat peach used his schemes on others made Zhang Siyi grin in delight. (≧▽≦)
Tao Fei: “Well, since it takes time and energy to draw a big pie, lets divide the responsibilities. I’ll work on the site planning and you determine the design concept for each section of the map.”
The design concept for each section of the map is a visual aid to show Party A the designer’s intentions for the entire plan. By including specific drawing details, color schemes and photographs, the designer can illustrate the plan without having to draw the whole thing. Once vetted, the designer can use Party-A comments and direct the overall plan in a better and satisfied direction.
After the division of labor, Tao Fei suddenly looked up and stared at Zhang Siyi with an imposing manner: “This project must be won!”
In seconds, Zhang Siyi knew what he wanted to express. He reached out and firmly said: “We will win!”
As comrades-in-arms, with a handshake they silently agreed. All for the hotel expenses!
Over the next period of time, both Tao Fei and Zhang Siyi began to work like a dog.
Surprisingly, Tao Fei’s workaholic mode was more severe than Gu Yu’s. In the first two days of developing the plan, they worked overtime until nine o’clock. On the third day, because Tao Fei didn’t want to be interrupted during his design phase, he brought his toiletries from home in order to stay overnight at the company.
The stability of food from the company’s bento at lunch and through the various take out places for dinner with late night snacks provided by the twenty-four-hour convenience store, Tao Fei was able to work through his ideas for eighteen hours without interference.
Influenced by Tao Fei’s determination and enthusiasm, Zhang Siyi also wanted to stay in the company overnight to work on the project. However, he is now a family man and can’t only do what he wants all the time. Every evening at ten o’clock, Gu Yu appeared at his desk to urge him to go home and sleep.