A song from Chengdu revived a closed-down pub.

After listening, Wei Zhirang said, "Yes, you're right. The way existing platforms operate is indeed not very elegant. Building our own platform and performing our own show is a good alternative."

Pan Lei sat beside them, listening to their back-and-forth discussion, unable to get a word in edgewise.

He glanced at Su Fan for a moment, then at Wei Zhiran.

At this point, Wei Zhirang asked, "The development and operation of this app requires a significant investment. Are you also planning to take out a loan to do this?"

Su Fan shook his head: "I won't take out a loan for this. The village or I can pay for it myself."

Upon hearing this, Pan Lei became anxious: "Xiao Fan, where would you get so much money? If you think this is something we absolutely have to do, we can discuss the money later. If all else fails, we can ask Director Wei to introduce a company to invest."

Su Fan glanced at Pan Lei and smiled, "Uncle Pan, no need."

Wei Zhirang suddenly spoke up: "How about this, the development and operation of this APP will not only be for your Mawei Post Station, but can be used directly in Qin Province. In this way, our Culture and Tourism Bureau can also invest, and we can all invest together and share the risks."

Su Fan shook his head, his attitude firm: "Director Wei, there's no need to go to such trouble, we can handle it."

Wei Zhirang frowned, his tone becoming a little harsher: "This project won't make money in the short term. Development costs money, operation costs money, maintenance costs money. Whether it's your village or you personally taking on the burden, the risk is too great. Let's share the burden together."

Su Fan shook his head again: "Director Wei, really, there's no need."

Wei Zhirang stopped beating around the bush and said directly, "Stop it. Don't think I don't know your plans. This provincial cultural and tourism sector must participate."

Pan Lei was completely dumbfounded.

He glanced at Su Fan, then at Wei Zhirang, and finally couldn't help but ask, "Why is everyone so eager to do things that lose money? If it's going to lose money, we can just not do it, right?"

"No." Su Fan and Wei Zhiran said at the same time.

The two looked at each other and smiled.

Pan Lei was even more confused: "Director Wei, what's going on? I don't understand!"

Wei Zhirang picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said unhurriedly, "Secretary Pan, you can ask him later. That kid is very shrewd."

Su Fan, on the other hand, had an expression that said, "I don't know anything."

This made Pan Lei feel an urge to kick him.

Next, the group discussed the specifics of Mawei Post Station.

Of course, it was mainly Su Fan and Wei Zhiran who said it.

Pan Lei would occasionally ask a question from the side, acting as the atmosphere-maker.

After leaving the Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, Pan Lei asked, "Xiao Fan, tell me, what's going on with that app? It's clearly not making money, so why does even Director Wei want to get involved?"

Su Fan smiled and said, "The leaders don't want us to lose too much money, so they're taking the initiative to share our burden."

Pan Lei, with a look that suggested he wanted to kill someone, said, "Stop talking nonsense, or I'll kick you!"

"No, no, no, Uncle Pan, listen to me." Su Fan immediately backed down. "If this app is successful, it won't just be a tool; it will be a platform. Whoever controls the platform will control the narrative."

Pan Lei still didn't understand: "Then why do you all say we'll lose money?"

"Making money in the early stages is very difficult, and we even have to invest a lot of money. But as long as the platform can take off, it is possible to raise funds and even go public later. So losing money in the early stages is worthwhile."

Pan Lei's eyes lit up: "Then let's do it ourselves! We have to keep this good opportunity in our own hands!"

"Uncle Pan, we really can't do it."

Why?

"Because doing only one point, Mawei Post Station, is far from enough. We need to build at least a provincial-level platform to achieve economies of scale. The provincial cultural and tourism department is in charge of this area. With their involvement, we can achieve twice the results with half the effort. They can get policies, resources, and channels with just a word, which we might not be able to do even if we run ourselves ragged."

Pan Lei hurriedly said, "Then we really need to involve the provincial culture and tourism department in this."

Su Fan continued, "Actually, Director Wei's desire to get involved isn't about money. He's worried that we'll become the next targets for exploitation. After all, it's not uncommon for young dragon slayers to become dragons themselves. Too many people start out with ideals, only to end up becoming the very thing they once hated. Director Wei, in his position, has seen too many of these. It's not that he doesn't trust us, but he's worried about the possibility of something going wrong."

"Then why did you refuse Director Wei in the first place?"

"I'm not refusing; Director Wei is testing our resolve."

Upon hearing Su Fan's explanation, Pan Lei immediately understood the underlying meaning.

He was, after all, a village secretary, so he should have some political sensitivity.

I didn't quite grasp it just now because I was confused by all those terms like "APP," "private domain," and "platform."

Now that Su Fan has put it this way, if he still doesn't understand, then all these years of hard work will have been for nothing.

"Xiao Fan," Pan Lei suddenly spoke, his tone serious and not at all joking, "why don't you take the civil service exam and go to the provincial cultural and tourism department? Otherwise, I feel like you're wasting your talents in our village."

"Uncle Pan, are you trying to get rid of me? Let me tell you, if I really pass the exam, I'm leaving the village."

Upon hearing this, Pan Lei immediately became anxious: "That won't do. At the very least, you have to get our village up and running first. I'm increasingly convinced that without your involvement, nothing will get done in our village."

"You overestimate me. I'm just a suona player. How come you're making me sound like I'm bragging?"

Pan Lei made up his mind and said, "I'll get everyone involved right away and have you take over Lao Zhou's position. This matter can't be delayed any longer."

Su Fan quickly changed the subject: "Stop, stop, Uncle Pan, let's think about how to get back."

"How else can we go back? We'll go back the way we came. Come on, let's catch the bus."

Su Fan suggested, "Uncle Pan, why don't we drive back?"

"Are you still half asleep? Look at what you're saying! Do you have a car, or do I?"

"Uncle Pan, I'm going to pick up my car."

"Pick up the car? Where did you get the money?"

"These aren't the songs I released before; I made some money from them."

Pan Lei's expression immediately changed: "No way, don't be so smug just because you have a little money. You should save your money and use it to fix up the house. You'll need money for your wedding later. Why buy a car? It's not like you absolutely have to."

"Uncle Pan, don't worry about it. Besides, I bought the car for the sake of our village. Think about it, we'll be going to the city a lot more often in the future. We can't take the bus every time, can we? It's a waste of time, and if there's an emergency, waiting for the bus can be incredibly frustrating."

Pan Lei thought about it and felt that it made sense: "How much money do you have? I have some here. I'll take it out and give it to you to use first. You don't need to pay it back in a hurry. You bought the car for the village, and I can't let you pay for it all by yourself."

"No need, Uncle Pan, I have enough money."

Pan Lei looked at him suspiciously and asked, "What kind of car do you want to buy?"

"Let's buy one for two or three hundred thousand..."

"No way!" Pan Lei interrupted immediately. "Why buy something so nice? We need to save money, not spend it recklessly. A used car worth tens of thousands is enough. A car is just for getting around, not for getting married. Why do we need something so expensive?"

(Used car platforms, hurry up and call me GG! I've already reserved all the GG slots.)