Chapter 141: A Visit to the Manor (Part 2)
Draco's grievances were completely unknown to Jane Yu.
For her, this trip could be considered a resounding success.
To secure this deal, she had meticulously studied a vast amount of information beforehand and gathered intelligence from Daphne, Theodore, Dumbledore, and others, forming a basic understanding of the Malfoy family.
Although the family upheld the ideology of pure-blood supremacy, they maintained close ties with Muggle high society in compliance with the Statute of Secrecy.
Unlike the more extreme Black and Lestrange families, the Malfoy family occasionally included half-blood wizards in their lineage to avoid the decline caused by inbreeding.
In their eyes, the true priority was the prosperity of the family.
At the same time, the Malfoys acted as financial magnates in the wizarding world, leveraging their wealth to exert political influence within the Ministry of Magic, funding favored candidates, and suppressing opponents.
Wherever there was profit or opportunity, the Malfoys could be found.
Closing the last book of her research, Jane had already sketched a businessman's portrait of her counterpart in her mind and planned the grand vision she was about to present.
---
On December 25, 1993, Jane Yu officially met with the Malfoy couple in the drawing room of Malfoy Manor.
The two parties discussed a potential collaboration in the video game industry, aiming to establish a complete upstream and downstream supply chain within the wizarding community across the UK.
Jane introduced the broad application prospects of video games, emphasizing their immense development potential and vast market. Beyond bringing joy to wizards, video games could serve as a stepping stone for wizarding progress, with potential applications in classroom teaching, therapeutic assistance, and reaction speed training. She also mentioned that her technical team was focused on solving the challenges of interconnected communication, believing that a breakthrough was just around the corner.
She highlighted that her company employed numerous professional production and research personnel, enabling them to quickly adapt to market changes and maintain rapid product iteration.
Using data from Hogwarts as an example, Jane pointed out that video game sales had reached over 30% within the school, and after introducing a rental service, the penetration rate had soared to 80%. Extrapolating from this data, she predicted that video games could become a household necessity among high-income wizarding demographics outside of Hogwarts.
This immediately piqued the interest of the Malfoy couple, but Jane's grand vision was far from over.
Instead of agreeing to Lucius's proposal for exclusive external sales rights, she proposed a win-win partnership, ranging from the establishment of a joint venture for product distribution to creating a trans-European enterprise that would make every wizard a customer.
She further elaborated on various derivative application scenarios, such as game tournaments akin to Quidditch matches, merchandise, and professional clubs. She subtly hinted that such ventures could enhance the Malfoy family's reputation and extend their influence across the globe.
Lucius expressed strong approval, stating his willingness to collaborate with Jane in building an international corporation, developing new scenarios, exploring new industries, and investing in innovation, talent, and market development.
Jane acknowledged the Malfoy family's influence in the wizarding community and praised their role in connecting customers.
The two sides discussed the structure and equity distribution of the joint venture, ultimately reaching a consensus.
The conversation inevitably touched on the topics of pure-blood ideology and pro-Muggle inclinations.
Lucius expressed concerns about the influence of Jane's guardian, fearing it might hinder their collaboration.
Jane emphasized that while different parties held conflicting interests and ideologies on such matters, both had experienced the risks and troubles of the First Wizarding War under factional conflicts. Thus, they shared a common desire for peace, aiming to create a safe, stable, and predictable business environment. Moreover, the profits from video games in Galleons were substantial and undeniable.
Lucius agreed with her perspective, remarking that peace fosters business prosperity and stability attracts investment.
The two parties signed a strategic partnership agreement on the spot, forming a new type of strategic partnership based on equality, mutual benefit, innovation, and openness.
Both parties sincerely wished for their future collaboration to advance to greater breadth, depth, and higher levels.
---
After the meeting.
The faint arrogance on Lucius and Narcissa's faces had completely disappeared, replaced by warm smiles and affable expressions.
"Try this, Yu. You're too thin."
Narcissa pushed a plate of red wine-braised beef toward Jane. The lady of the house now radiated maternal affection.
She was so pleased with this girl that she wished she could change her guardian on the spot.
She even felt a tinge of jealousy toward Dumbledore—
Why did he get to have such a thoughtful and brilliant child?
This young girl, at such a tender age, already possessed such business acumen and intellect!
Even manna from heaven wouldn't fall this perfectly!
Meanwhile, her own child, Draco, stared blankly as the plate of red wine-braised beef was moved further away from him. That had been one of his favorite dishes!
Soon, all the plates of food before him were gone, as his mother moved them toward Jane.
After dinner, his mother brought out her homemade cookies, and Draco was only given one!
When he voiced his dissatisfaction, Lucius quickly silenced him by covering his mouth.
"Draco, be mature. Don't act like a child who didn't get his doll."
Draco felt utterly voiceless.
He watched as his father turned away, continuing to discuss business details with Jane. As their conversation grew livelier, Lucius pulled out a quill and parchment, scribbling calculations of costs and profits.
"I have a piece of land in London that could serve as a site for building a game arcade... Since we're partners, the rent can be waived..."
"...This fills a gap in wizarding entertainment history. Perhaps this revenue estimate is still too conservative..."
"Let's start with pilot programs in Scotland and London. Once the network is fully established, this model can expand across Europe... an international enterprise..."
Lucius felt that Jane truly understood him!
In all his years, aside from his father, no one had ever shared his level of business acumen and vision!
The equity cooperation models and business operation strategies she proposed were nothing short of groundbreaking!
Not to mention that with product updates, the video game consoles might eventually support long-distance multi-user real-time communication—
That would revolutionize the wizarding world!
Owls, two-way mirrors, and other such methods would all become obsolete under this magical alchemy-driven technological innovation!
If the Malfoy family could participate in the early stages of developing such magical devices, they would undoubtedly ascend to unparalleled glory!
To personally lead the Malfoy family to such achievements, Lucius Malfoy would surely go down in history, living up to the expectations of generations before him!
It was as if he had found a kindred spirit in Jane!
---
By midnight.
The tea in the drawing room had been refilled countless times, and even the house-elves appeared drowsy, yet the three of them remained energetic.
"I have a highly effective beauty potion that's been selling well at Hogwarts."
When Narcissa expressed concerns about the toll of staying up late on her appearance, Jane promptly offered this small gift.
A satisfied smile immediately appeared on the lady's face.
As Lucius, who had just risen from his armchair, examined the small vial closely, his eyes lit up!
He sat back down, ordering the house-elves to bring more tea and snacks.
"I think we could discuss a potential collaboration on this beauty potion as well..."
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