Chapter 181: Soft Doesn’t Work, Let’s Try Hard!

Gathering their textbooks, the people of 302 left the study room with elated expressions.

Waking up to a meal is simply wonderful. Even the guilt of wasting half a day without learning anything vanished.

Especially Zhou Chao who was sleeping soundly. Suddenly having a meal thrown in his face and it being treated by someone else felt like a dream. Who wouldn’t be excited?

With an empty mind, just keep it empty. First fill the stomach then talk.

Without eating, where’s the strength to study?

Jiang Qin is really damn amazing. Even Zhuang Chen wants to treat him to a meal, begging him to eat. It’s ridiculous.

“Studying is really tiring. After eating let’s quickly go back to sleep.”

Jiang Qin calmly packed his textbooks. As soon as he left the study room not far, his phone in his pocket started vibrating.

He habitually handed the textbook back as if subconsciously handing files to Wei Lanlan. Then he took out the phone and answered it. Lu Xuemei’s voice immediately came from the receiver.

“Boss where are you now?”

“Huh? How did you know I’ve been studying hard in the study room since afternoon and just finished now?”

Lu Xuemei paused then lowered her voice, “You dare tell such a ridiculous lie. Is the boss’s wife next to you?”

Jiang Qin was very dissatisfied with her reaction, “Am I not qualified to go to the study room to study? If you have something hurry and say it. Don’t disturb my precious study time.”

“It’s like this. The batch of gifts we ordered before has arrived.” Lu Xuemei’s voice became serious.

“What gifts?”

“The calendars, umbrellas, coasters and such. Don’t you remember?”

Jiang Qin made an “oh” sound suddenly remembering this matter, “My brain was just occupied by knowledge. I didn’t switch over for a moment. Did you check the items? How’s the quality?”

Lu Xuemei made an affirmative sound, “Already checked. Defective products were picked out. Rest assured with me handling it.”

“Okay pick out two sets. First express mail them to Director Sun of the University of Technology and Director Li of the Normal University for me.”

“Okay boss.”

Jiang Qin ordered a batch of year-end gifts during Christmas including desk calendars, wall calendars, coasters, umbrellas, lighters. They were all things that could be used at hand with the logos of Xitian, Zhihu and group-buying printed on them along with their promotional images.

Making these things wasn’t for anything else mainly just to boost their presence everywhere.

For example, Sun Chunming of the University of Technology and Li Hua of the Normal University. These were all trailblazers needed for later promotion.

During the last study visit, Jiang Qin left a deep impression on them with his clever mind. But as time passed, he was afraid they would completely forget.

Sending a desk calendar or wall calendar over letting them glance at it often when idle would build enough familiarity by promotion time.

If not using the calendars, the coasters or umbrellas could be used. Even if not using the coasters or umbrellas, the lighters could be used.

He remembered Sun Chunming and Li Hua were both heavy smokers. Although they didn’t smoke when leading the study group, their nicotine-stained index fingers couldn’t fool anyone.

This is called detail.

Jiang Qin was about to hang up after giving instructions then remembered something.

“Right Xuemei. One more thing. Help me place another order with Shengshi. Make two life-size standees. I’ll send you the specific content via text message in a bit.”

“Okay.”

“It’s best if they can provide the design tonight. Tell Shengshi to expedite production. I must have them in two days.” Jiang Qin couldn’t help but add.

Lu Xuemei was a bit surprised, “It’s so urgent. I’m afraid they can’t make it.”

“If not, add money. I refuse to believe there’s anything money can’t accomplish. Anyway, this matter is very important. We must ensure the timing. Don’t send the finished billboards to the school. Directly send them to Longkai International Hotel. Communicate with their front desk in advance.”

“Okay, I’ll call the factory manager now.”

Jiang Qin hung up the phone and found everyone around him looking at him as if quietly waiting for his call to end.

The people of 302 acted normally. They often heard Jiang Qin telling people to do this and that over the phone in the dorm. Now they were all used to it.

But the golden flowers of the School of Finance hadn’t experienced it. They looked at Jiang Qin with a bit of yearning in their eyes but were afraid of disturbing his “big business” so they all quietly slowed their breathing.

That director this director, add money here add money there. It was completely the style of President Jiang. What young lady who hadn’t left the ivory tower wouldn’t feel dizzy seeing this?

“Let’s go. Don’t be dazed. Hurry and eat.”

Jiang Qin put his phone in his pocket and waved his hand behind him, taking big strides forward. Seeing this, the golden flowers of the School of Finance immediately followed.

At this time, Zhuang Chen who was at the very back felt a bit uncomfortable.

He liked Jian Chun so he often mixed with the girls of this dorm. But every time they went out, it was the girls who said go and he would follow. He never gave orders.

He always felt this behavior was gentlemanly. But now he couldn’t help but envy Jiang Qin’s dominance of whatever I say goes.

“Chun Chun, put your book in your bag first. I’ll carry it for you.”

Zhuang Chen temporarily put aside distracting thoughts, grabbed the backpack and caught up to Jian Chun walking in front.

“My book is already inside. This isn’t mine. It’s Jiang Qin’s.”

Jian Chun was holding an advanced mathematics textbook. Her steps didn’t stop as she said softly.

“How did his book end up in your hands?”

Zhuang Chen’s mind was a bit dazed.

“He was on the phone just now casually handing the book back. I happened to be behind him at the time so I took it.”

Jian Chun repeated the scene from earlier.

“Didn’t he finish the call? Just return it to him.”

“I’ll give it to him at the restaurant. It’s not very heavy.”

“…”

Nanshan Restaurant was located on the pedestrian street across from the school gate. It was more upscale than Food is Heaven and the prices were also higher. But no one could say for sure which of the two tasted better.

Those who came here to eat were for the private room environment suitable for birthdays and gatherings. But if seeking cost-effectiveness, everyone was still more willing to run to Food is Heaven.

After everyone took their seats, they started ordering dishes while Jian Chun returned the book to Jiang Qin making Jiang Qin quite dazed.

Damn, he didn’t even notice the book was missing the whole way. In fact, the existence of this book wasn’t in his mind at all.

“If I had known earlier, you should have been left behind in the factory, right?”

“Don’t worry. The star student will never abandon you again.”

Jiang Qin patted his advanced math textbook grinning as if coaxing the textbook could prevent him from failing.

Soon, the steaming hot food was served and everyone dug in. But eating this meal, some were happy and some were worried.

The happiest at the table was Zhou Chao. Getting a free meal was right up his alley. Next were Cao Guangyu and Ren Ziqiang. The most miserable one was none other than Zhuang Chen.

He couldn’t figure it out.

Jian Chun wasn’t even willing to carry her own book. Why was she willing to carry Jiang Qin’s book?

Where exactly was the problem?

Of course, he vaguely had a guess in his heart. But this guess was something he didn’t dare believe no matter what.

Over an hour later, under Zhou Chao’s perfect clean-up, all the plates on the table were empty.

Jiang Qin yelled “withdraw” so everyone started leaving their seats one after another. The female dorms of the School of Finance were closest to the gate so after the golden flowers left, only the four of 302 and Zhuang Chen remained.

Several times, Zhuang Chen wanted to say something but never opened his mouth until Zhou Chao and the others were going to the supermarket to buy cola. Only then did he stop Jiang Qin.

“On Winter Solstice, Jian Chun had me bring dumplings to you. I felt uncomfortable so I ate them myself.”

“Mm, it’s fine.” Jiang Qin responded lightly.

Zhuang Chen was silent for a while and opened his mouth a bit uneasily, “You won’t tell Jian Chun about this, right?”

“Stop talking nonsense. When do I have time to play this romance drama kill game with you guys?”

“What kill game?”

Jiang Qin waved his hand not wanting to bother with this stuff, “Do you have anything else to say? Hurry up. Old Zhou and them buy things super fast. Last time the boss even thought he stole something and chased him all the way to the dorm.”

Zhuang Chen took a deep breath, “Jiang Qin…can you not appear in front of Jian Chun from now on?”

“?”

“I really don’t want Jian Chun to fall for you. You definitely don’t want that either, right?”

After hearing this, Jiang Qin was speechless, “I fucking skip half my classes. Where do you want me to go? To heaven?”

Hearing this, Zhuang Chen paused realizing Jiang Qin indeed didn’t appear often, “But, but…”

“No buts. A grown man being all wimpy. I’ll tell you the truth. I have no interest in dating. Your worries are all unnecessary.”

“I know. But Jian Chun mentions you more and more often. She’s not as focused when chatting with me anymore.”

Jiang Qin looked at him a bit helplessly, “Why don’t you try changing your QQ avatar to my photo?”

Zhuang Chen’s face flushed red, “I’m not joking!”

“I know you’re not joking. But what can I do? Why don’t you ask Jian Chun where she thinks I’m more excellent and I’ll change!”

“I don’t dare say it directly…”

Jiang Qin couldn’t help but sigh, “Old Zhuang, actually I find you quite amiable. Otherwise, I wouldn’t say so much nonsense to you. I’ll give you one last piece of advice. It’s better to let go of sand you can’t grasp.”

The corners of Zhuang Chen’s mouth revealed a trace of bitterness, “Jian Chun and I are neighbors. We grew up together since we were young. Same kindergarten, same elementary school, same middle school, same high school, same university. I’m not sure when I started liking her. But I’ve liked her for too long and too deeply.”

“What’s it to me?”

“Jiang Qin, do you want to make an enemy of me? I’m not sure what terrible things I might do!”

Jiang Qin suddenly widened his eyes, a hint of fear flashing in them.

Seeing this, Zhuang Chen couldn’t help but feel a bit smug. Soft doesn’t work. Looks like hard has some use.

“Fuck, I left my textbook at the restaurant?!”

“????”

Zhuang Chen looked at his figure running out, silent for a long, long, long time. Then he felt terrible.

Jiang Qin didn’t care about his threat at all and might not have even listened seriously. This really fucking hurt his pride.