Chapter 34: Foundations and Challenges

“Do you really think that way?”

There was a long pause.

Xu Hao glanced at Zhu Qiang as the charcoal in the fire pit burned even hotter.

“Yes!”

“That works, but I still have some duties to handle. It wouldn’t affect our controlling stake to start a company, yet serving as the legal representative isn’t appropriate.”

Without hesitation, Zhu Qiang affirmed, and Xu Hao stopped wavering.

In truth, Zhu Qiang shared many of his ideas, especially regarding the desert’s development, while Xu Hao had his own reasons for avoiding the legal rep role.

The Long Kingdom Ancient Architecture Research Institute claimed that work comes and goes, and while the organization won’t meddle in personal ventures, such matters could cause a fuss if exploited by the wrong people.

“Hao, let me be the legal rep! I’ll also restructure the organization, and as a major shareholder I won’t publicize our ownership. As long as we never go public, nobody will know who really runs the company.”

Now that’s professional.

The moment Xu Hao spoke, Zhu Qiang immediately grasped his plan.

“Alright, it’s settled! You’ll get a 5% management stake.”

“Hao, I don’t need any shares! After the constant rain stops, I’ll go register the company. By the way, Hao, where should we register – Haishi or Yan City?”

“Registration? Let’s do it in Mingsha County. And about the shares, don’t decline; set aside another 5% for future talent. A sole proprietorship just won’t cut it.”

“Then we’ll do it your way.”

Zhu Qiang looked at Xu Hao with a hint of surprise—he hadn’t expected that a director like Xu Hao would know so much about company management.

Everyone agreed that a sole proprietorship would never grow large or strong, yet many ambitious entrepreneurs keep trying, only to fall on their entrepreneurial journey.

“By the way, I only have 300,000 in cash. Isn’t that a bit little?”

The topic of registered capital made Xu Hao feel rather awkward.

Even though his livestream had a steady stream of fans, various small gifts, and even two lost space projectiles, the funds he could actually withdraw amounted to 250,000. With Tianchen Culture’s 50,000 livestream fee added, it came to exactly 300,000.

That was all he owned.

In Haishi, he had nothing but an apartment filled with various documents.

“Hao, 300,000 should be enough for Mingsha County. The real uncertainty is the future costs for the desert. Rumor has it that the local authorities have sold part of this desert to a mysterious investor; even the boundary markers are set up. If he leases us the land, it’s fine, but if he plans to develop it himself…”

After a moment’s thought, Zhu Qiang continued.

All else can be managed; his main concern was this issue.

If they were later prevented from building inns in the desert after the challenge, they might even have to dismantle the log cabins.

“The desert? You needn’t worry about that.”

Xu Hao waved his hand dismissively.

“All permits for the desert are already in our hands—why would we charge ourselves? The initial 300,000 startup fund is sufficient. Mingsha County is a remote western county where renting office space and hiring staff won’t be too expensive. Besides, once the challenge is over, we can officially welcome tourists.”

“I’m still concerned about the roads!”

“Roads?”

“Yes, the nearest village, Hongsha Gang Village, is still five kilometers away. At first, we can shuttle tourists with desert vehicles, but if their numbers grow, building a road will be essential! Constructing a highway in the desert isn’t cheap.”

They say a desert highway costs a fortune—probably equivalent to two layers of Long Coins at least.

“Hao, road construction is a must. Once the company is fully up and running, we’ll negotiate with local officials for any supportive policies. Desert tourism can boost both the local GDP and the incomes of ordinary residents—it’s mutually beneficial.”

“Alright then, we’ll address it later.”

“By the way, Hao, since we’re starting a company, what about the name?”

“Let’s call it Mingsha Tourism Culture Co., Ltd.—simple, straightforward, and easy to understand.”

“Yes!”

And so it went. The two talked by the fire pit for who knew how long, only drifting to sleep after finalizing every detail.

Xu Hao’s bed, once a single piece, was now split into two small single beds.

Before long, it was the next day. The weather forecast had been spot on.

In the Tengli Desert, raindrops grew heavier, blanketing everything in white with visibility under a hundred meters—this was the main event compared to yesterday afternoon’s prelude.

“Hao, this place is something else!”

Listening to the raindrops on the eaves and surveying the courtyard, Zhu Qiang, up early, could only admire the scene.

Experiencing it live was entirely different from watching a video.

Compared to Xu Hao’s Shelter, his own was nothing more than a ‘doghouse’—not even as refined as the chicken coop in the courtyard.

“It’s all about luck!”

Xu Hao had already gotten up.

“Luck? Even those with luck don’t have the capacity. With this downpour, probably only your log cabin can hold up, while other contestants’ shelters are in serious jeopardy.”

Feeling the cold, streaming droplets along the eaves, Zhu Qiang sighed once more.

Inside the log cabin, a fire pit kept things not only warm but cozy.

“I once mused about directing—it’s nothing to write home about.”

Xu Hao smiled.

“By the way, Hao, what’s on your stream today? Last night, because of my issues, you didn’t go live, and your fans must be furious—they probably hate me now.”

Zhu Qiang glanced at the massive streaming equipment still stationed in its designated area.

Even though Tianchen Culture’s equipment boasted super waterproofing, clear footage was nearly impossible under these conditions.

“It’s fine; the audience will understand. Let’s eat first, then go live,” Xu Hao said.

In this weather, aside from cooking, feeding wild chickens, and interacting with viewers via livestream, there wasn’t much else to do.

“Alright! When it’s time to stream, I’ll apologize to all your fans on your behalf.”

Little did they know, the livestream chat on KuaiDou had already exploded.

“Good grief, this rain is relentless!”

“You said it!”

“Everything is a blur out there—we can’t even see the contestants in their shelters clearly.”

“Stop watching; I bet those contestants are shivering in fear right now.”

“Exactly—such heavy rain means they have no choice but to build fires in their shelters. If one even leaks… ugh!”

“I don’t care about the others; I just want to know how you’re holding up, Hao!”

“That’s right! Just yesterday, you even brought a contestant home, and you didn’t go live at night. The official footage only showed the small courtyard and a corner of the log cabin.”

“Don’t worry, just wait and see! I’m sure you’ll go live today, Hao.”

“Why?”

“Because only you have what it takes.”

“Yeah.”