Chapter 177: I, No Work No Pay

“University of Science and Technology can finally use group-buy too?”

“Hurry and launch it. I swear I’m not leaving the dorm except for class. This damn weather is too cold!”

“I always feel like someone is eyeing my wallet. Is it just my imagination?”

“I just got my living expenses. Why do I feel like they’ll immediately not belong to me?”

“…”

Christmas and New Year’s are close together with only 6 days between them. During these 6 days, the University of Science and Technology team worked hard preparing for the launch and promotion of group-buy.

Lai Cunqing was in charge of online hype, including Debut Deal Day with 20% off sitewide, dorm group-buy with additional discounts, and Wanzhong Mall New Year’s sale. All copied Linchuan University’s combo punches, starting with a flurry of hits.

Ding Qiaona was responsible for offline recruitment. In just one week, she found part-time delivery staff and also trained the dorm aunties.

Even if stepping on Linchuan University’s shoulders to cross the river, being able to accomplish this much in a short time was enough to demonstrate their efforts.

“Not bad. You’ve worked hard these past few days.”

After hearing the report, Jiang Qin nodded, giving the two full affirmation.

“It’s not hard boss. Our current income is almost catching up to the full-time workers on the pedestrian street. If we can’t do a good job, we’d feel guilty ourselves.”

Lai Cunqing’s words were not flattery but spoken very seriously.

He was a real impoverished student from a famously poor mountain region with four siblings. Just tuition was hard to come by, let alone living expenses.

Work-study may just be a tool for Jiang Qin, but for people like them it had extraordinary significance.

“This is just the beginning. Feel free to look forward to the future.”

After saying this, Jiang Qin looked at the big-eyed girl beside him, “Qiaona, didn’t we meet before? Why do I feel like you look a bit familiar?”

Ding Qiaona opened her mouth in surprise, “Your memory is really good boss. We have indeed met.”

“Where?”

“At the University of Science and Technology campus beauty pageant. I got 4th place. I met you briefly on awards day and then joined the team.”

Ding Qiaona was a sophomore and the 4th place winner of the University of Science and Technology campus beauty pageant. She joined the team midway and was recruited by Wei Lanlan.

At that time, Jiang Qin was focused on group-buy at Linchuan University so the two hadn’t met.

But hearing a campus beauty was working part-time on his team and had steadily worked her way up to deputy manager, Jiang Qin was quite surprised.

That’s more like it!

Not all good-looking people are content with being a vase. There are hardworking people who are also good-looking.

Just like him. He had top-tier looks but insisted on making a name for himself with talent. See who dares say in the future that Jiang Qin is too handsome to work so hard!

“I’m a bit hungry. Let’s go eat something on the pedestrian street. Any recommendations?”

Jiang Qin rubbed his empty stomach.

Ding Qiaona thought for a bit, “I had a really tasty pork trotter noodle dish there yesterday. Want to try it boss?”

“Pork trotter?”

Jiang Qin squinted in thought then shook his head smiling, “No more pork trotter. I ate the world’s most delicious one on Christmas Eve.”

“No way. The pork trotter on the Science and Tech pedestrian street is famous.”

“Let’s get something else then.”

“What do you want to eat boss?”

“I heard there’s a cruel fat man on the pedestrian street who specializes in killing cute bunnies and roasting them fragrant. Let’s go save one!”

Jiang Qin snapped his fingers and took the two to the pedestrian street. He ordered a whole spicy rabbit with crispy golden skin but tender, juicy meat that was flavorful with one bite.

Looks like Su Nai’s taste is indeed not bad. No wonder she specifically mentioned rabbit that day. Only a person with the heart of a Bodhisattva like him would give up at first but ultimately return to successfully save one.

“By the way Qiaona, how is Guo Zihang doing under you? What’s he in charge of now?”

Jiang Qin took a sip of water and casually asked about his buddy’s recent situation.

“Based on your previous arrangement, he’s now responsible for coordinating the dorm aunties and is taking to it like a fish to water. Thanks to him, my workload has been greatly reduced.”

Ding Qiaona used the idiom “like a fish to water” which Jiang Qin didn’t expect.

Wow, that kid Lao Guo can actually get this kind of evaluation too. His painstaking efforts weren’t in vain.

“You may be even busier in the next while, but I believe you can definitely do it. I’m entrusting the University of Science and Technology market to you.”

“We’ll do our utmost. But boss, won’t you come oversee things the first few days after launch?”

“It’s almost exam week. I need to review properly. I am a study star after all.”

Jiang Qin finished the rest of the rabbit in an imposing manner, wiped his mouth and bid farewell to the two.

The study star stuff was fake, but not going back too beaten was real. Otherwise with his mom’s temper, he definitely wouldn’t have a peaceful New Year.

He had already made a pact with his three dorm mates before coming. Starting tomorrow, the four of them would join forces to fight in the study room. Whoever leaves first is a dog.

But before going back to review, Jiang Qin made a detour to Wanzhong Mall in the city center.

Group-buy product sales were now in full swing. After omnidirectional product seeding marketing, the sales of various products climbed. This showed that college students weren’t lacking in money.

With this foundation, Jiang Qin’s backbone also stiffened, so he planned to show his face at this juncture to increase his presence.

He parked in the underground garage, took the elevator to the 4th floor, and arrived at Yue Zhu’s office.

“Manager Jiang, please have some tea.”

Yue Zhu brought over a cup of tea, “Busy with the university business?”

“It’s alright. Mainly the promotion at University of Science and Technology is a bit taxing.” Jiang Qin took a sip and said.

“Speaking of Science and Tech, I already had Manager Zhang arrange the trucks. Absolutely won’t be late. You can rest assured about that.”

“I’m not here to ask Manager Yue for vehicles. I just happened to pass by nearby so came for a visit. By the way, were the insoles from last time good?”

Yue Zhu smiled faintly, “Very good. At least my feet don’t hurt as much.”

“That’s good then.”

They chatted for a while but neither brought up online sales, even when Jiang Qin started the topic, Yue Zhu didn’t continue it.

He also felt embarrassed to say “Manager Yue, don’t you think our online sales this month are awesome?”

That would seem too deliberate, unnatural, and not in line with his usual style.

“Manager Yue looks very tired. Not resting well?”

Yue Zhu sighed, “The mall has been holding nonstop events since the winter solstice. As the marketing manager, of course I have to lead the charge. So I’ve rested very little. It’ll be better after New Year’s.”

Jiang Qin understood. Yue Zhu wasn’t unwilling to discuss online sales, but recently Wanzhong Mall’s offline marketing had been too frequent.

From the seasonal sale, winter solstice, Christmas events, to the New Year’s sale, everyone in the entire mall was focused on offline.

So most likely Yue Zhu hadn’t had time to pay attention to online sales, or online sales seemed weak in the face of offline sales.

This was also very normal.

No matter how many college students there were, they couldn’t compare to the offline purchasing power during the event period.

Jiang Qin felt a bit helpless, thinking he wouldn’t be able to put on airs today. He got up to leave but was attracted by a deep blue invitation on the table.

“What’s the Linchuan Chamber of Commerce?” Jiang Qin suddenly asked.

Yue Zhu was slightly stunned, “Oh, that invitation isn’t mine, it’s President He’s. To put it bluntly, the Linchuan Chamber of Commerce is a club. The members are all relatively famous bosses in Linchuan. They gather every New Year’s and President He is one of them.”

Jiang Qin reached out to pick up the invitation, “It just so happens I have something to go find President He about. Do you need me to bring it over for you?”

“Sure, I’ve been so busy lately I’m dizzy. That invitation has been on my desk for two days. Then I’ll trouble you to make a trip.”

“No trouble at all, just a small thing.”

Jiang Qin took the invitation and left. He snuck a peek and found there was no valuable information inside, just an ordinary sincere invitation with date and time.

He made his way to He Yijun’s office and chatted for a while before taking out the invitation.

“President He, Manager Yue asked me to pass this on, the Linchuan Chamber of Commerce invitation.”

He Yijun took it, “Thank you Manager Jiang. Have a seat, I’ll pour you some tea.”

Jiang Qin coughed lightly, “I didn’t know Linchuan had a Chamber of Commerce. It’s my first time hearing of it. What kind of people are in it?”

“All bosses in Linchuan. Hotels, foot massage parlors, resorts, shopping malls, KTV, bars, gyms, swimming pools, all sorts. Anyway, a lot.”

“Sounds impressive. I can smell the scent of money.”

He Yijun brought the brewed tea over, “This Chamber of Commerce isn’t very interesting. Besides a chance to brag every year, it’s basically just for show.”

Jiang Qin took the teacup and set it on the table, “Is there a threshold to attend the gathering?”

“There are indeed certain requirements for assets.”

“President He, do you think I can ignore the threshold and take a stroll inside relying on my looks?”

He Yijun suddenly realized, “So Manager Jiang is interested in this gathering?”

“Indeed, a tiny bit interested.” Jiang Qin didn’t hide it.

“I’m afraid that’s not possible, because the members’ spots are all arranged and those people are quite xenophobic. But Manager Jiang doesn’t need to rush. You’ll receive an invitation sooner or later.”

He Yijun’s words were very subtle but the meaning was clear. With Jiang Qin’s current reputation, he was still far from qualified.

“How’s your daughter? Still so rebellious recently?”

Jiang Qin suddenly changed the subject.

“Just mentioning her makes me angry. Always late and leaving early. I’m so worried my hair is turning white.”

He Yijun’s face collapsed as soon as his daughter was brought up.

“Actually, her lack of love for studying may be because she hasn’t been immersed in a good learning atmosphere.”

“What do you mean?”

Jiang Qin put down his teacup and said airily, “If you find a study star with a big reputation to take her on a tour of a top university and experience the strong academic atmosphere, maybe she’ll start aspiring for college herself. How can she not study hard then?”

He Yijun glanced at him, “I think Manager Jiang must be the type of study star who likes helping others.”

“Don’t slander me. I never like helping others. I’m someone who doesn’t get up early without benefit and indulges in the dark for a reason!”

“…”

“Alright Manager Jiang, I can ask around about the gathering.”

“Deal.”