Chapter 168: Soft Hands Hinder Proper Business

“But…”

“No buts, Manager Zhang. It’s not your money that was borrowed, so why are you so worried? The borrower will repay it. You just keep playing your music and dancing. Little Ma was an hour late and did I say anything? Manager Yue and President He don’t even know about tonight yet, but I won’t tell them. I know how to be discreet.”

“I understand. Thank you, President Jiang.”

“You’re welcome. I hope we can cooperate happily in the future.”

Jiang Qin hung up and returned the phone to Dong Wenhao. “Come back tomorrow when delivering the goods to see if my little bro Ma is still so unruly.”

Dong Wenhao put the phone in his pocket. “You really don’t want to tell Manager Yue?”

“It’s a trivial matter, no need. We still have to cooperate and can’t offend people too much. A little warning is enough.”

“Still doesn’t feel satisfying enough.”

Dong Wenhao grimaced thinking of that bald guy. “Damn that was close. If it was just me today, I really would’ve been scammed by him.”

Jiang Qin sipped her milk tea. “If he wanted money to buy cigarettes and you reported him, it’d be fine. But if he said it’s for gas, you need to be alert. He’s definitely a repeat offender who’s done this many times.”

“He’s scammed others with this trick before?”

“Of course. Delivering in a car low on gas then asking for money, he’s so skilled, you can tell he’s an old pro at this.”

Dong Wenhao took a deep breath, sipping milk tea while lost in thought.

He used to think the world was quite wonderful, but now everywhere seemed full of pitfalls.

If the boss wasn’t leading from the front, in just these three months, who knows how many holes they would’ve fallen into.

Especially when their business started dealing with people in society, this feeling was particularly strong, always feeling like walking on thin ice, as if you couldn’t fully trust what anyone said.

In other words.

If there wasn’t someone like the boss watching the whole process, they likely would’ve been fleeced bald long ago.

Star student, Shengshi Advertising, promoting at University of Science and Technology, choosing the milk tea shop location, entering the agreement, Wanzhong Freight.

Is this how the boss dances crazily amidst invisible traps everywhere?

Dong Wenhao felt his scalp go numb, unable to suppress a hissing sound.

“What’s wrong, your chest hurts again?”

“No, just feeling that you have it tough, Boss.” Dong Wenhao was moved after putting himself in her shoes.

Jiang Qin glanced at him, thinking Old Dong must’ve thought of something to be this emotional, even saying things like the boss has it tough. “Old Dong, I’m glad you understand my hardship. Work hard in the future.”

“Okay, Boss.”

Just then, footsteps suddenly sounded from outside Xitian.

Feng Nanshu walked in from the night, quietly calling for Jiang Qin, then trotted over to sit in a chair beside her.

She had been super clingy these past few days, incessantly begging to hang out on QQ. Knowing Jiang Qin was at Xitian, she immediately changed clothes and ran over.

As soon as her butt hit the chair, Feng Nanshu’s little hand subconsciously reached to stuff itself in Jiang Qin’s pocket, but fumbled around without finding it.

Xitian was located under the teaching building. Thanks to ample heating, the room was very warm. Wearing thick clothes made it impossible to sit, so Jiang Qin had taken off her down jacket long ago. Underneath she only had on a newly bought “best friends” outfit which had no pockets for Feng Nanshu to reach into.

“No other choice, huh?”

Jiang Qin imitated Little Rich Girl’s expression, revealing an aloof smile.

My clothes have no pockets, so where can I warm your little hands?

“Hold hands, big bro.”

Feng Nanshu reached her hand out from under the table, gazing at Jiang Qin with beautiful eyes that seemed to ripple with emotion.

Seeing her earnest expression, Jiang Qin felt her scalp tingle. Now there’s no normal attacking, just pasting her face and going all out?

But big bro…

This form of address was really hard to resist.

South City High’s dream girl, the fantasy of all the boys. So aloof that she didn’t even like talking to people. But now she keeps calling you “big bro” every day and reaches out her hand, refusing to be happy unless you hold it.

Who could withstand that?

Two little people appeared on Jiang Qin’s shoulders. The black one pointed at the white one and asked, can you f*cking withstand that?

The white one raged. I’ll withstand your lungs! If you have the guts, you come try and see!

Jiang Qin knew she couldn’t take it. So she grasped Little Rich Girl’s smooth, delicate little hand. Feeling it was a bit cold, she squeezed her fingers into a ball and used both hands to warm it for a long time.

She didn’t have much experience and didn’t know if all girls’ hands were as fragrant and soft as Little Rich Girl’s. It made her a bit reluctant to let go.

Once warmed up, Feng Nanshu’s fair, flawless cheeks started turning rosy and beads of fragrant sweat appeared on her forehead.

“Too hot?”

“A little hot.”

“Take off your down jacket then.”

Feng Nanshu turned sideways, obediently letting Jiang Qin unzip it, revealing the hoodie inside that matched Jiang Qin’s exactly, just with some interactive designs on the cuffs and hem.

“Oh, couple’s outfit!”

Dong Wenhao originally couldn’t sit still anymore, wanting to quickly leave and not be a third wheel to his boss and her girlfriend. But hearing that voice, he immediately relaxed.

It’s fine now. Someone with higher wattage came, so he alone wouldn’t make a difference.

Gao Wenhui lifted the door curtain and walked over with a meaningful look. “I was wondering why Feng Nanshu kept wearing this outfit the past two days. Turns out it’s a matching pair.”

Feng Nanshu coolly said, “Wenhui, these are best friends outfits.”

“You mean he only agreed to wear it if you called it best friends outfits? Nanshu, you’re really clever.” Gao Wenhui pulled over a chair and sat down.

Jiang Qin: “?”

Feng Nanshu looked at Jiang Qin blankly. “I have no idea what she’s talking about.”

Jiang Qin took a deep breath. “Hu Xin, get this Miss Gao a milk tea. Add lots of ingredients, the more like eight treasure porridge the better, so her mouth gets blocked up.”

“You’re the Miss Gao! That’s Pig the Eighth’s wife!” Gao Wenhui angrily protested.

Jiang Qin grinned, suddenly remembering something. She immediately grabbed her phone to call the security room.

From the receiver came Ma Liang’s roaring voice, saying this Uncle Mao money was given by Jiang Qin, how dare you refuse it, I’m still waiting to go drinking!

Jiang Qin immediately had them take the money and let the guy go.

Making friends really interferes with business. What’s the point of hands being so fragrant, soft and smooth? She almost forgot there was still Little Bro Ma in the security room.

A while later, Ma Liang, out a hundred yuan, successfully exited Linchuan University’s gate. Driving off cursing under his breath, he soon arrived at a street stall they often frequented.

The freight department people were all there, including Manager Zhang. Seven or eight of them were pretty much wasted and just chatting.

Ma Liang didn’t know about the tug-of-war between Manager Zhang and Jiang Qin. After sitting down still full of anger, he vowed that a true man always takes revenge. Only Manager Zhang kept a poker face, not responding no matter what Ma Liang said.

The cold night was chilly. After finishing the alcohol, Ma Liang felt much more refreshed and was about to return to the dorm when Manager Zhang stopped him.

“Early tomorrow morning, find an advertising factory and make two banners.” Manager Zhang emotionlessly instructed.

Ma Liang burped in confusion. “What banners?”

“Group buying slash Wanzhong Mall direct delivery, arriving at 8am sharp daily. Then hang them on your truck.”

“What about the money?”

Manager Zhang patted his shoulder. “Didn’t you borrow a hundred to gas up? President Jiang said you don’t need to pay it back. Just use it to make the banners.”

“But Bro Zhang, the security room people took back that hundred yuan. I didn’t make anything!” Ma Liang’s eyes nearly popped out.

“Jiang Qin said the security taking it has nothing to do with him. I also want to say, how many times have you pulled this kind of thing? Scammed quite a bit of money, right? I usually turn a blind eye, but not this time. Gotta make you bleed a little and learn a lesson!”

“He clearly just wants to screw me over. Bro Zhang, you can’t just ignore this!”

Manager Zhang scoffed. “Did you give me any of the money you scammed?”

Ma Liang shook his head. “I didn’t. But I often buy you cigarettes. Zhonghua at the very least!”

“Cigarettes are cigarettes, money is money. I can’t smooth this over. Don’t count on me. But luckily that surnamed Jiang fellow knows when to stop and didn’t tell Manager Yue. Otherwise even I’d be in trouble along with you!”

“What trouble could there be? I’ll just say like before that I borrowed money for gas. What can he do?”

Manager Zhang patted his shoulder. “Believe it or not? If you insist on being stubborn, you’ll spend the night outside the school gate. By then even if I go it won’t help. He’ll make Manager Yue personally fetch you and ask to your face if a hundred yuan is enough for gas.”

Ma Liang swallowed. “A college kid whose pubes haven’t fully grown, I really don’t believe it.”

“Don’t f*cking act tough. You think I don’t know what you’re capable of?”

“…”

“Fine Bro Zhang. Where can I print banners?”

“Find it yourself!”

The next evening the weather was gloomy. Ma Liang arrived at Linchuan University on time in the delivery truck.

It was still yesterday’s truck, but the cargo compartment had two brand new banners. “Group buying / Wanzhong Mall direct delivery, arrives at 8am sharp daily” The white text on red was glaringly bright.

Driving in, he attracted the attention of many college students along the way.

Wanzhong Mall was Linchuan’s biggest shopping center so it was famous. Many students would go for a stroll there every weekend. Even if they didn’t buy anything, they’d stay and eat at the food court.

In this era before online shopping was common, Wanzhong Mall was definitely the top choice for buying phones and computers.

Seeing that even Wanzhong Mall partnered with the group buying site and made such a big deal out of delivering goods undoubtedly made Linchuan University students trust the site a bit more.

Arriving at the drop-off point, Ma Liang didn’t dare smoke again. He even personally opened the cargo hold and unloaded the goods to hand over to Kong Hui.

“There’s more than yesterday. Do you need me to help deliver?”

“No no, that’s okay, I’ve got it.”

Kong Hui was a bit overwhelmed by Ma Liang’s good attitude.

Seeing this, Jiang Qin who was squatting by Xitian’s door couldn’t help pouting. “Actually, I still prefer Little Bro Ma’s unruly look.”