Chapter 144: A Polite Robbery

Footsteps echoed through the empty corridor.

Deputy Principal Zhang Boiqing, who oversees school affairs, and Gu Chunlei, the head of the school’s publicity department, arrived at the entrepreneurship base. Accompanied by a group of teachers, they made rounds, pausing occasionally to inspect various entrepreneurial projects.

“Principal Zhang, Director Gu, these are students from the communication department running a photography studio.”

“This is a tutoring class started by students from the foreign language department.”

“…”

Cao Xinyue, the receptionist, followed closely behind the leadership team, briefly introducing each entrepreneurial project.

Zhang Boiqing nodded as he listened, but clearly wasn’t very interested.

To be honest, such entrepreneurial projects existed in every school. They could hardly even be considered entrepreneurial, more like small-scale dabbling.

“Where’s Jiang Qin who runs the forum? Let’s check his project first.”

“Jiang Qin’s project is in Room 208.”

“Then let’s skip the others and head straight to 208.”

Since the deputy principal had spoken, Cao Xinyue didn’t insist on introducing all the projects. Truthfully, some projects had been around longer than she had worked at the general office. Few people were seen during regular times, only opening their doors during leadership inspections.

As for introducing these projects, she simply recited from the files, otherwise she wouldn’t even know what those classrooms were used for.

So the group made their way down the corridor towards Room 208 in the middle of the second floor.

Room 208 was quite dim at the moment, in stark contrast to the brightly lit activity classrooms before, giving off a rather cramped feeling.

The five members of the technical team took turns using one computer, with Su Nai at the keyboard while the other programmers huddled around, occasionally offering suggestions.

Dong Wenhao’s content team also shared the same computer, with Lu Feiyu typing while the others “beeped.”

“Principal Zhang, Director Gu, this is Room 208…”

Cao Xinyue was the first to reach the door of 208. As she peeked inside, she froze momentarily.

What’s going on here?

Why is it so dim, as if the lights were off? She didn’t remember Room 208 being like this.

“What harsh conditions does this Room 208 have?”

Zhang Boiqing stood at the entrance, his brow furrowing involuntarily.

“But I remember the photos published in the newspaper showed Room 208 looking quite spacious, with desks full of laptops. It looked better than our school office.”

Gu Chunlei also looked puzzled, almost as if she had walked into a store selling puffed snacks – the reality didn’t match the photos at all.

Cao Xinyue had some understanding of Jiang Qin and knew he was probably up to his tricks again.

He had even thought of the scheme of “accidentally finding the keys” just to get Room 207. No need to ask, this time he had definitely dug another trap.

“Jiang Qin, Principal Zhang and Director Gu are here.”

Cao Xinyue called out at the entrance. As the words left her mouth, Jiang Qin, sitting behind the desk, slowly raised his head, straightened his clothes, and stepped forward to greet them.

He had actually heard the commotion earlier, but to maintain the leaders’ first impression of Room 208’s humble conditions, he held back until now.

“Hello, Principal and Director. Welcome to your inspection!”

Zhang Boiqing smiled warmly, “You’re doing well with this website and promoting work-study. I’ve heard about it, but school affairs have been busy. Today is the first chance I’ve had to take a look.”

Jiang Qin nodded understandingly, “The principal and director manage countless matters. It’s already an honor for us that you could find time to visit Room 208.”

“What’s wrong with your lights?”

“Oh, they broke a few days ago. We’ve been too busy to contact the school staff, but it doesn’t affect our work, so we left it as is.”

Gu Chunlei couldn’t help but walk around for a look, growing more puzzled. “Jiang Qin, the photos of your office published in the Linchuan Youth Daily looked nothing like this. Where are the computers? I remember there was an impressive executive chair too.”

Jiang Qin cleared his throat, “We knew the Youth Daily reporter was coming, so I specially borrowed some computers and chairs to avoid embarrassing our school. After the photos were taken, everything was returned.”

“Just three computers for over ten people, doesn’t that affect efficiency?”

“It’s enough during our free time, but when we’re busy, we have to work in shifts.”

Zhang Boiqing couldn’t help but cough, “Since you’re short on equipment, why didn’t you submit an application to Professor Yan?”

Jiang Qin sighed with a troubled expression, “I did submit one, and it was approved quickly. Both Professor Yan and Senior Sister Cao are very supportive of Room 208. But the application needs to go through multiple levels of approval, so the implementation has been slow…”

“How long ago did you submit your application?”

“Half a month ago. Until now, we haven’t received even a mouse pad, let alone computers. We’ve been managing the University of Science and Technology’s business with just these three computers. A few days ago, Su Nai’s keyboard was smoking from overuse, and the speakers are having issues too. Whenever someone is alone in the office, strange noises keep coming out.”

Su Nai, who was writing code, froze momentarily, her eyes widening as a cold glint of killing intent flashed through her pupils.

You dog boss, you’re insinuating something, aren’t you?

Just what strange noises are you talking about? Spit it out!

“A spirit of humble diligence is admirable, but being too harsh is no good either. Here’s what we’ll do – rewrite your application, clearly stating what you need. I’ll take it back and make sure it gets implemented.”

As the leadership of the school affairs office, implementing support applications was just a matter of lifting a finger for Zhang Boiqing. Unlike Professor Yan, he held real authority.

“In that case, Principal, please have a seat. I’ll write it now. Lanlan, quickly go to the general office downstairs and fetch some water for Principal Zhang and Director Gu.”

Wei Lanlan felt suffocated, thinking, “Boss, you really don’t miss a thing, do you? No wonder you hid the water dispenser!”

“Understood, I’ll go get water from downstairs right away. Principal, Director, please wait a moment.”

After hearing this, Gu Chunlei turned to Jiang Qin, “You have to go downstairs for water every time?”

“No, I ask them to bring a cup from the dorms each day. Once it’s finished, they don’t drink any more – saves water and fewer bathroom trips.”

“…”

Jiang Qin was just making things up. He had no mind to answer questions right now, fully focused on the application form.

Computers, printers, air conditioners, TVs, power strips, electric kettles, water dispensers, heaters, brooms, mops…

Might as well request everything needed at once? Going through the official approval process was painfully slow.

Zhang Boiqing’s smile gradually stiffened and faded. In his heart, he thought, “You cheeky little fellow, coming to me for a handout?”

“Just write half for now, asking for too much at once isn’t good.” Jiang Qin presented the application form with both hands.

Zhang Boiqing took it and glanced over, “You really need a lot of things. This is only half?”

Jiang Qin sighed, “Principal, it’s not that I’m asking for too much, it’s that I’m lacking too much.”

“Alright, I’ll get it implemented when I return. You should have someone fix the lights soon.”

“Sure, Principal.”

“Since your project involves work-study, do a good job. Report any issues to the school immediately.”

Zhang Boiqing left those instructions before leading everyone out of Room 208. He glanced at the application form again, thinking, “This isn’t an application, it’s a very polite robbery!”

It’s better to visit Room 208 less often. There are loopholes everywhere.

Meanwhile, Cao Xinyue leaned against the door frame of 208, “Junior, you’re quite something, pulling a fast one, huh?”

Jiang Qin’s eyes became much more profound, “In the early stages of starting a business, it’s really too difficult. This is the only way. I don’t actually like being this way myself. Who doesn’t want to be a refreshing, vibrant heartthrob? Who doesn’t want to just buy whatever they need with a wave of their hand? Becoming cunning and oily is unavoidable. A living must be made.”

“…”

“Senior Sister, you must really look down on people like me. I must be lacking in the honesty and kindness expected of a college student. Reeking of unsavory dealings, I doubt anyone would like me, not even myself…”

“Junior, I’m not mocking you. Hearing you say that makes me feel bad too.”

Cao Xinyue felt herself empathizing, her expression suddenly filled with sympathy.

She really wasn’t mocking him. It was purely meant as a light jab. Moreover, she had witnessed Jiang Qin running back and forth recently, without even time to return to the dorms, having to stay in Room 207. She understood how exhausted he must be.

She also knew that in business, every penny had to be spent wisely. Anything that could be saved, would be saved.

“How about this? If you ever need help here, just call me. If I’m not around, find Hong Yan or Tang Lin. We’ll definitely help if we can.”

After a long silence, Jiang Qin spoke, “Actually, there is something I need your help with, Senior Sister.”

“???”

“I need a PowerPoint presentation to introduce our project. Could you help me make one, Senior Sister?”

Cao Xinyue realized, “You were feigning pitifulness, not just waiting for the principal, but for me too!!”

“No, absolutely not. I just think it’s best to have professionals handle professional matters. You’ve encountered so many entrepreneurial projects, so you must know what the leaders prefer. I’ll be going to the University of Technology and Normal University to build connections soon, and this PowerPoint is crucial.”

“Will you pay?”

“Yes, as long as it’s well done, the compensation will be generous.”

Cao Xinyue pursed her lips, thinking, “Well, at least you have some conscience, Junior. This time, you’re not trying to get it for free.” She said, “The workload at the general office isn’t heavy recently. I’ll arrange for someone to come and help you with the PowerPoint.”

Jiang Qin clasped his hands in gratitude, “Thank you, Senior Sister.”

“But after the PowerPoint is done, you must treat me to a meal!”

“Definitely!”

Jiang Qin watched as Cao Xinyue left, then turned and went back to Room 208, instructing Dong Wenhao to move their things in quickly and Lu Feiyu to screw in the light bulbs. They had been sitting in the gloom for too long, his eyes were about to go bad.

“It’s a good thing your old lady didn’t come snooping around today,” Jiang Qin said gloomily.

Su Nai looked up blankly, “Why?”

“If Principal Zhang had seen her buy those expensive imported fruits, our little trick today wouldn’t have worked.”

“That’s true…”

At that moment, Dong Wenhao carried in Jiang Qin’s executive chair, “Boss, shall we play cards?”

Jiang Qin rolled up his sleeves, “Today, we got the school’s full support. I’m in a good mood, let’s play cards.”