Chapter 146: I Don’t Understand Love

The Miss Linchuan University of Science and Technology pageant had lasted for a month and was now coming to an end.

On a sunny early winter day, Jiang Qin drove, taking Dong Wenhao, Wei Lanlan, and Su Nai to Linchuan University of Science and Technology for the final wrap-up.

Shengshi Advertising’s truck was already waiting at the university’s sports field, a few workers squatting by the roadside in deep blue overalls, ready to start work.

Jiang Qin walked over, tossed them half a pack of cigarettes, and after some small talk, the workers swiftly began setting up the stage.

“Wenhao, you’ll be in charge of the award presentation again.”

“Why me again?!”

“You did well hosting last time. I was satisfied.”

Jiang Qin patted his shoulder, giving him an affirmative look.

This touches on a common workplace rule – never agree to tasks beyond your duties. If you fail, you’ll be scolded. But if you succeed, you’ll be asked again. Slowly, it becomes part of your job description.

“Did you finish that project’s PowerPoint?”

“Boss, PowerPoint work isn’t my responsibility.”

“Nonsense, didn’t you do the last one?”

“You said the person in charge took leave, so I helped out temporarily.”

“You did well. You handle this one too. The capable should work more. I see potential in you, keep it up.”

But to the boss, it means something else.

See, I’ve discovered another of my employee’s skills. Making full use of talent.

“Lanlan, the nearby fruit supermarket wants a refund, no more promotion. Go handle it, ask what’s up. Take a humble stance.”

“Got it, boss.”

Su Nai hugged her shoulders, standing by. “What about me, boss? What should I do?”

Jiang Qin glanced at her. “You’ve been cooped up in 208 working on the website lately. I brought you out this time for a change of scenery.”

“Boss, did you upgrade your conscience or something?”

“Caring for employees’ mental health is a people’s entrepreneur’s duty. Plus, enjoying scenery is better for health than watching porn.”

Su Nai turned to leave, planning to buy a knife from the nearby convenience store.

As they spoke, two people approached from the sports field entrance – Hu Maolin, the Youth League Committee director, and Zhang Mingan, the university’s deputy director.

“I heard Director Zhang say you plan to do group buying next?” Hu Maolin cut to the chase, his expression unfriendly.

Jiang Qin didn’t hide it. “Yes, Director Hu. Group buying is my next plan.”

“Your website’s going well. Why mess with that stuff?”

“The forum has poor monetization potential. It can’t last long. I need a sustainable monetization plan.”

Hu Maolin felt a wolf was being let in. “You know Ye Ziqing’s story, right? She lost terribly!”

Jiang Qin knew his concern. “Don’t worry, Director. I’m not stupid enough to follow her old path. Besides, I’m so handsome.”

“Jiang Qin, let me be clear. I don’t agree with you promoting group buying at the University of Science and Technology. This isn’t up for discussion.”

“Our trial operation will soon begin at Linchuan University. We won’t expand to the University of Science and Technology for now. If you’re still worried, observe how it goes at Linchuan University. If things go poorly, I won’t force it here either.”

Hu Maolin frowned silently, gaze shifting to the stage being set up.

His expression made it clear – they weren’t convinced, still disagreed, and didn’t want to argue further.

Just then, a noisy commotion came from the other side of the sports field, drawing everyone’s attention.

They saw over a dozen male students who had been playing soccer clashing with part-time University of Science and Technology students, faces flushed red, seeming seconds from physical confrontation.

“Boss! Those soccer students refused to leave, saying the field’s for soccer, telling us to hold the ceremony elsewhere. Should we call security to chase them off?!”

Lai Cunqing ran over, panting as he reported the situation.

“Well, they’re right. It is a soccer field. We’re just borrowing it. If they won’t lend it, how can we force them?”

“Huh?”

“It’s fine, I’ll handle it.” Jiang Qin patted his shoulder and walked towards the arguing group.

Seeing this, Hu Maolin and Zhang Mingan exchanged a glance, following Jiang Qin with their eyes.

The scene at the soccer field was intense, some hot-tempered students grabbing each other’s collars. Jiang Qin struggled to separate them, pulling aside two jersey-clad students and muttering for a while.

The student in jersey #8 was the most agitated. When Jiang Qin held him back, he jerked like he wanted to throw a shoulder toss. But after hearing whatever Jiang Qin said, he froze.

After a while, the soccer players nodded and left the field. Jiang Qin turned and returned.

Hu Maolin and Zhang Mingan were surprised the situation defused so quickly and peacefully.

“How did you get them to leave?”

“I said just kicking a ball around is boring. Next spring, I’m planning an inter-university soccer tournament between the four major schools, giving them a real showdown to prove who the real men are!”

Hu Maolin eyed him.. “Just like that?”

Jiang Qin nodded. “They don’t even love the school flowers, still playing soccer during the ceremony. It shows a deep passion! Who wouldn’t want a heated match like that? It’s just a pity…”

“What’s a pity?”

“Those who truly love soccer rarely make the national team.”

“…”

Hu Maolin wanted to say more but saw Jiang Qin rushing off.

Seconds later, at the back of the stage being set up, a background board suddenly collapsed, nearly hitting the rehearsing Dong Wenhao. Luckily, Jiang Qin pulled him aside just in time.

Hu Maolin folded his arms. “I thought he’d come ask me, as the Youth League director, to chase those soccer players out.”

Zhang Mingan watched the yelling Jiang Qin. “That would have been the most convenient and quickest way.”

“So why didn’t he do that?”

Zhang Mingan pondered. “Professor Yan said Jiang Qin has never been radical. He takes measured steps while keeping control.”

“Didn’t something similar happen when Ye Ziqing came to promote here?”

“Yeah, she brought people to hand out flyers, blasting loudspeakers that disturbed art students. In the end, you called security to chase the students away.”

Hu Maolin fell silent. “Let’s let Jiang Qin try. You’ll be responsible if anything happens.”

Zhang Mingan: “????”

As time passed, the ceremony officially began. The university nerds swarmed the venue, surrounding the stage where the dapper Dong Wenhao presented white-winged trophies to each School Flower amid roaring atmosphere.

Jiang Qin watched disinterestedly from the side, arms crossed and looking gloomy.

“Jiang Qin, found a girlfriend yet?”

“Not yet, Director. A man should establish his career before marrying.” Jiang Qin replied softly.

Hu Maolin eyed him. “Marriage before career, not the other way. Look, the girls at our University of Science and Technology are very pretty. You could try dating one if you find a suitable one.”

“Director, what time is it now? My eyes are playing tricks.”

“?”

Jiang Qin took out his phone, lit up the screen, and held it to Director Hu’s eyes.

It was an old hand-me-down from Jiang Zhenghong, small and dated but at least a color screen that could set wallpapers. Its functions were still decent.

Hu Maolin glanced at the wallpaper – a stunningly beautiful girl in a white coat, her eyes shining with an ethereal light, her whole being pure and lively.

“What time is it?”

“I…couldn’t tell.”

“So it seems the Director also has wandering eyes.”

Jiang Qin pocketed his phone, staring at the award stage expressionlessly, gradually becoming absorbed.

Hu Maolin clicked his tongue, feeling snubbed.

He felt Jiang Qin’s future wouldn’t stop at the university town. If he could find a partner at the University of Science and Technology, then got rich someday, being interviewed, he could mention finding love with an entrepreneurial student at Linchuan University of Science and Technology.

But now Hu Maolin understood – a person like Jiang Qin would have no shortage of girlfriends. A girl like his wallpaper would easily outshine the School Flowers elected at their university.

Around 11am, the pageant ended and the revelry concluded. Jiang Qin left the University of Science and Technology with Dong Wenhao, Wei Lanlan and Su Nai.

“Boss, do you know why the fruit supermarket wants a refund?”

“Why?”

Wei Lanlan sighed. “For the same reason as Gao Dawei – but the situation’s reversed. The boss took the money and ran off with his mistress, abandoning his wife. She has no heart to run the store anymore.”

Su Nai clicked her tongue at Wei Lanlan’s words. “The divorce rate seems to have been rising in recent years.”

Dong Wenhao also couldn’t help commenting. “Love and marriage are different things. Some people are inseparable when dating, but crumble when actually living together. That’s why they say marriage is love’s grave.”

“But you can’t blame marriage entirely. Divorce rates rise in proportion to economic development, showing love can withstand hardship but not wealth disparity.”

“What do you think, boss?”

Jiang Qin was silent for a moment. “I don’t understand love.”

Wei Lanlan fell silent too. “If you know the ending might be bad, is there even any point in starting?”

“We’re here. Get out, tell everyone to gather at 208 to discuss launching the group buying platform.”