In the days that followed, Chen Ming became busy.

The Hong Kong designer's drawings were finally finished, and he didn't want to waste a moment longer.

He contacted a reputable construction team and had the interior of the air-raid shelter repainted.

Next, he began purchasing various equipment, including colorful neon lights, to create a mesmerizing atmosphere.

He even specially bought a ballroom light bulb from the provincial capital, which was a rare item at the time.

To make the dance hall more distinctive, Chen Ming put in a lot of effort.

He collected various posters and old-fashioned record players from all over the place and placed them in various corners of the dance hall to create a retro style.

He also contacted a clothing factory to order a batch of bell-bottoms and aviator sunglasses, which were the most fashionable outfits at the time.

These are intended to be sold as a signature item at the dance hall, and I believe they will definitely attract many young people.

The renovation of the dance hall was progressing smoothly, and everything was going according to plan.

However, just as the renovation was about to be completed, a phone rang urgently.

He picked up the phone and heard Lao Wang, the construction team leader, speaking through the receiver:

"Mr. Chen, I'm sorry, there's a problem with the electrical circuit in the air-raid shelter. It needs to be repaired again, so the construction period may be delayed by a few days." Old Wang's tone was apologetic.

"How could this happen?" Chen Ming's heart sank.

The delay in construction meant increased costs, and his plans were disrupted.

He suppressed his agitation and asked in as calm a tone as possible, "Old Wang, what exactly is the problem? Is it serious?"

"Boss Chen, the wiring in this air-raid shelter is seriously outdated," Old Wang said hesitantly on the other end of the phone.

"Some parts are rotten; they'd break at the slightest touch." He paused, as if organizing his thoughts.

"In addition, we modified some lines during construction, so there was probably a problem with the wiring."

Chen Ming pressed further, "So what's the situation now? How long will it need to be postponed?"

Old Wang explained, "We are investigating the specific problem, and it's hard to say right now. It will probably be delayed for at least a few days."

Chen Ming took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down. He knew that losing his temper wouldn't solve anything.

He then asked, "Old Wang, tell me the details of the situation. Where exactly did the problem occur?"

A noisy sound came from the other end of the phone, which seemed to be Old Wang communicating with the workers.

After a while, Lao Wang's voice came again: "Boss Chen, we have done a preliminary inspection and it seems that there is a problem with the main power line at the entrance of the air-raid shelter. We may need to replace part of the power line."

“Okay, I understand,” Chen Ming said, suppressing his anxiety. “Contact me anytime if anything happens.”

"And Lao Wang, safety comes first," Chen Ming said, emphasizing each word.

"A thorough inspection is essential. It's better to spend more time than to have a safety accident. Do you understand?"

Old Wang nodded quickly: "Don't worry, Mr. Chen, we will check carefully to ensure safety and there will be absolutely no oversights."

“It’s not just about circuits,” Chen Ming added.

"Fire-fighting facilities also need to be carefully inspected to ensure they are in perfect working order. Safety is of paramount importance, especially in special environments like air-raid shelters."

"Understood, Mr. Chen," Old Wang said firmly.

"We will operate strictly in accordance with safety regulations to ensure that no problems occur."

"And the safety of the workers," Chen Ming continued to emphasize.

"We must take proper protective measures. Safety helmets and safety belts are essential. Safety training must also be thorough so that every worker understands the importance of safety."

"Don't worry about that," Old Wang assured him.

“We conduct safety training every day to ensure that every worker can operate safely.”

“Okay,” Chen Ming nodded. “Contact me anytime if anything happens, and I’ll be there anytime.”

After hanging up the phone, Chen Ming felt like he was being scratched by a cat. The delay in the project meant increased costs and potential risks.

If a safety accident occurs, the consequences would be unimaginable.

He became increasingly uneasy and decided to go to the air-raid shelter himself to check it out.

He needs to personally verify the safety conditions of the construction site before he can feel at ease.

Upon arriving at the air-raid shelter, a pungent smell of dust and paint hit him, causing Chen Ming to cough incessantly.

The air was thick with dust, and visibility was very low.

The construction team was busily repairing the circuits, with various tools scattered all over the ground and the wires looking like a tangled mess, making Chen Ming's scalp tingle.

"Old Wang, how's it going? When will it be fixed?" Chen Ming asked abruptly, his tone tinged with anxiety.

Old Wang, the construction team leader, had an oily face and sweat beaded on his forehead. He wiped his sweat and said with a forced smile:

"Mr. Chen, the wiring is very old. We are working overtime to repair it and try to finish as soon as possible. Rest assured, safety is absolutely guaranteed! We have carefully checked every wire according to your instructions to ensure there will be no problems."

Chen Ming looked around. The dance hall, which was almost finished, was now in a mess again, which made him even more irritable.

He carefully inspected the construction progress and repeatedly emphasized the importance of safety before leaving.

Back home, Chen Ming paced back and forth restlessly, feeling a surge of frustration, muttering to himself.

"This shouldn't be happening, this shouldn't be happening."

He slapped his thigh and realized he had made a serious mistake: he had focused too much on the progress and details of the renovation, while neglecting the most important thing: market research.

He walked to the window, lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and frowned.

"Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated," Chen Ming muttered to himself.

"Now that the renovation has reached this stage, I need to quickly find out about the market situation and see how other dance halls operate."

He stubbed out his cigarette, picked up the phone, and contacted a few friends to inquire about several well-known dance halls in the city.

The next morning, Chen Ming specially changed into simple clothes and put on a baseball cap.

Trying to keep a low profile, he began his market research journey.

The first dance hall was called "Neon," with a retro theme and the walls covered with posters of celebrities from the 1980s.

Under the dim light, a decadent romance permeated the air.

Chen Ming ordered a beer and observed the people dancing on the dance floor, secretly noting their clothes and preferences.

The second dance hall was called "Dynamic Zone," with a modern and stylish decor and deafeningly loud disco music.

Young people swayed wildly on the dance floor, releasing their youthful energy.

Chen Ming discovered that the prices of drinks here were significantly higher than in "Neon," but the business was much better.

The third dance hall is called "Avenue of Stars," and it is the largest and most luxuriously decorated.

A giant ball of light spun, illuminating the dance floor with dazzling lights and creating a dreamlike atmosphere.

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