"The studio is simply this: if someone needs something translated in the future, they can come to us, and we’ll get paid for it," Xu Nianhua explained simply.
"We are still students," Fei Jiayi reminded.
"I’ve learned too little. What if I translate something incorrectly and ruin it all? Wouldn’t that just wreck our own reputation?"
Even Ding Guo felt unnerved at this point!
She knew her own limitations all too well. While doing business and making money was great, she didn’t want to cheat anyone.
"We could start with the simple tasks," Xu Nianhua had thought this through and said, "We could set up the studio without a huge cost. If we get orders, we can gradually take them on. Besides, translating materials can also benefit our studies."
"So, we’d earn money and learn at the same time. Isn’t that killing two birds with one stone?" Xu Nianhua thought the idea was excellent.
Initially, when Xu Nianhua thought about founding the studio, she wondered whether to go solo or to involve others.
After considerable thought, Xu Nianhua felt that working with her dormmates was an excellent idea.
All the roommates got along well, especially during this English competition. Everyone performed well, showing unity and sincerity.
A translation studio was not something she could handle alone. Rather than setting up shop by herself and then hiring them, it would be better to create a studio together. She trusted her judgment of people.
"It’s good, but what if we translate something incorrectly for someone?" Ding Guo was apprehensive.
Fei Jiayi also felt the pressure, saying, "I’m afraid of making mistakes too. In exams, a mistake is just that, but translating documents for others, like contracts, can lead to serious consequences."
Liao Jinling, who usually loved to challenge Fei Jiayi, couldn’t help but nod in agreement. Although she liked Xu Nianhua’s idea, she was worried too.
Chang Hui remained silent. Her family was the least well-off. Even if starting a studio didn’t cost much, it would still require some money, wouldn’t it?
"I agree," the usually quiet Zhou Wanwan was the first to express her support. She said, "Nianhua, I trust you. Will the documents we translate eventually pass through your hands?"
"Yes," Xu Nianhua nodded affirmatively, "We will definitely ensure that the documents we send out are correct."
"I agree, but I don’t have much money on me—only about twenty," Zhou Wanwan’s family situation wasn’t poor, but her parents weren’t doing very well, often needing Chinese medicine to maintain their health. Zhou Wanwan could only rely on the pocket money she had saved.
"That’s enough," Xu Nianhua happily said, "Ten each is enough. With six of us, that’s sixty. We can rent a small storefront, make a sign, and buy a couple of tables!"
They didn’t need a prime location like a regular store would. For now, relying on acquaintances and maybe printing some small ads should suffice without costing too much. Besides, as long as they could get and complete one job, they would earn money from it, and gradually, things would improve.
"Then, I also agree," Fei Jiayi and Liao Jinling exchanged glances, and the two spoke in unison.
"I agree too," Ding Guo reckoned she could manage to contribute twenty. Whatever happens, it was worth a try—what if they earned money?
If they lost money, they’d just consider it spent on snacks.