Chapter 262: The Backlash of Being a Study Star

In the following days Jiang Qin continuously refined his hidden sword plan.

This plan could be described as both simple and complex. The core operation was what he had mentioned in the meeting some time ago – restricting group-buy to Linchuan City and refraining from any extra moves before getting a real-time payment license for the third-party payment software. Then utilizing the time difference to promote Zhihu nationwide.

Externally he needed to show that group-buy was trashy useless and just a toy he casually made. That it was simply a component for monetization while Zhihu was actually his most outstanding product.

Trash group-buy not even dogs would do it! Awesome Zhihu number one in the world!

Of course some people wouldn’t believe it but at the current stage where third-party payment software couldn’t bypass the banking system group-buy indeed had no way to achieve nationwide promotion.

After all it was only 2009 now. Even the biggest competitor Meituan hadn’t been established yet precisely because they were stuck on this link and couldn’t solve it.

Even Taobao faced repeated setbacks when transforming and seeking investment. They were seen as messing around. Who could foresee how impressive group-buy would ultimately become?

Especially with group-buy’s current model of charging merchants which was equivalent to handing over their lifeline to others. Even dogs would shake their heads not to mention investors.

Under such circumstances as long as Zhihu became powerful group-buy could continue developing sneakily in its shadow.

“Damn I’m a freaking genius!”

Jiang Qin was incredibly smug. When he was happy Feng Nanshu received plenty of pampering. She was hugged for over two hours. The rich girl directly went limp in his arms with stars in her eyes.

Jiang Qin Jiang Qin Jiang Qin Jiang Qin…

The little rich girl sat in his lap kicking her feet in the air non-stop.

However the next day when Jiang Qin saw the morning news on Linchuan Life he nearly lost it.

“Jiang Qin he is the study star of Linchuan University. He excels in both character and academics and has a very broad perspective.”

“The first time I met him I was almost stunned by his intelligence.”

“His vision is truly far-reaching as if he can foresee the future. He can always anticipate things that haven’t happened yet and make ample preparations in advance.”

“In fact the reform of Wanzhong Mall was also inspired by Jiang Qin. Without him Wanzhong’s reform this time wouldn’t have gone so smoothly.”

“Without exaggeration Jiang Qin is a business genius. Cooperating with him is the most correct decision I’ve made in my life.”

On the TV screen He Yijun’s old face appeared solemnly in front of the camera. During the interview he tossed out a bunch of flattery for Jiang Qin.

He actually had good intentions because he knew group-buy was currently being promoted citywide. Of course he wanted to help advertise it through the news. But after watching Jiang Qin’s scalp went numb. He thought I’m freaking trying to conceal my sword here but my underwear is about to be stripped bare okay?

Also isn’t study star a crappy award? It’s fine if we brag about it privately but he actually brought it up on TV?

If just if this matter gets dug up then where will my face be?

The scariest part was Old He set the bar too high saying he could predict future trends. Who could bear that?

Right at this moment the news switched. A woman in her forties appeared on the screen. This person wasn’t unfamiliar to Jiang Qin. It was the boss of Vienna Hotels Wang Peixiang.

“Jiang Qin is a legendary person a brave and fearless pioneer. His greatest strength is understanding people’s hearts.”

“At the beginning of this year group-buy approached me for cooperation. But because it was a university project I refused. However he actually took the opportunity while I was getting skin care at a beauty salon. He directly sent a supervisor to chat with me. In the two hours when I couldn’t move he persuaded me.”

“The future of such a person is definitely limitless.”

“…”

After watching the news Jiang Qin turned his head with utmost solemnity: “Professor why do these media seem to be targeting me?”

Professor Yan pondered for a while: “Rationally speaking they shouldn’t. Although group-buy’s momentum is huge now it doesn’t warrant consecutive reports. There must be something else going on.”

“Is someone promoting it?”

“Mm most likely related to Linchuan’s continuous push for investment attraction this year.”

Linchuan was located in the northwest of the country. It was a very typical industrial city with slow economic development and a heavy industrial base. The concept was also relatively traditional.

But because of its abundant resources this place’s GDP had always been very high.

In short this city was quite wealthy but its market economy and consumption power had always been at a mediocre level.

For this the Linchuan government had been trying every means to stimulate consumption in order to attract foreign enterprises to settle in. They intended to rely on external forces to promote industrial upgrading and shift the development direction towards emerging industries creating a virtuous economic cycle.

But even though all regions were sparing no effort to launch a combination of measures the market economy here remained half-dead. The residents’ consumption ability was also poor.

Then just when they were at their wit’s end a group-buy inexplicably appeared in the urban area. After a few sets of combined punches the consumption level of the entire city was stimulated.

Especially in the several districts outside the CBD many new stores were being prepared. There was a momentum of spreading their wings and making money.

On the other hand investment attraction also became much smoother. Even some big bosses from other places rushed to Linchuan specifically wanting to visit and learn from Wanzhong Mall’s new business model.

Seeing the small details one could understand the overall situation. The Linchuan City leaders seemed to have noticed some very positive signs. So they decided to make a big deal out of this aspect.

They wanted to use group-buy as a tool to continuously promote consumption upgrading create a favorable market ecology and then attract more businesses to come to Linchuan.

“It seems that unblocking is better than blocking. Rather than letting others talk nonsense I might as well show up and speak out to minimize the impact.” Jiang Qin couldn’t help but say.

Professor Yan was stunned for a moment then understood his meaning: “Unblocking is indeed better than blocking. Because if you block too heavily the river will often break through in unexpected directions.”

“Alright Professor you can slowly enjoy the AC. I’m going out for a bit.”

“You’re going to accept the interview?”

Jiang Qin’s face darkened: “I’m going to study! Old He said on TV that I’m a study star. When I make it onto Forbes someone will definitely dig this up. So embarrassing!”

Professor Yan was also a bit dumbfounded: “What the heck is a study star?”

“It’s a title I scammed. When cooperating with Wanzhong Mall before in order to get Linchuan University to vouch for my credibility I used it several times. Now it’s starting to backlash. Even in university I’m forced to study. It’s so damn painful!”

Jiang Qin cursed as he walked out of 208. He returned to the dorm to get a brand new textbook then went to the teaching building.

But studying is a matter of fate. You can’t learn just by sitting down and picking up a pen. So Jiang Qin was bored out of his mind. Under the table he kept playing with Feng Nanshu’s little hand.

By the time the second class started before the bell even rang the vice president of the student council Tan Shipeng came.

Brother Peng strolled around the corridor at the door with the air of a president then waved at Jiang Qin.

“What’s up Brother Peng?” Jiang Qin walked out of the classroom.

Tan Shipeng coughed: “Well Dean Zhang called for you. He has something to discuss.”

“But I’m in class.”

“I already approved your leave slip for you.”

Tan Shipeng took out a slip of paper from his pocket: “You just need to give this slip to your class monitor.”

Jiang Qin took the slip and glanced at it. It said “Leave Slip” at the top. The signature at the bottom wasn’t Dean Zhang but the red official seal of the faculty student council.

He had skipped so many classes before. Even with a leave slip the teacher would probably think it was fake.

“If I give this slip to the teacher it won’t count as skipping class?”

Tan Shipeng nodded: “Right.”

“Then can you give me some blank ones? Stamp your student council seal on them. I’ll fill them out myself later.” Jiang Qin made a bold request.

Hearing this Tan Shipeng froze: “The semester is about to end. What do you need leave slips for?”

“For skipping class next semester.”

“But that’s against the rules.”

Jiang Qin looked at him with the cold gaze of a little rich girl: “Brother Peng rules are meant to restrict those ordinary students in the classroom. They can’t restrict exceptional people like you and me.”

Upon hearing these words Tan Shipeng involuntarily puffed out his chest. He savored the thrilling sensation that made his scalp go numb.

After a while Jiang Qin arrived at Zhang Boiqing’s office. He found that Dean Zhang’s face didn’t look too good. Instead he appeared exceptionally solemn.

“Dean good morning.”

Zhang Boiqing looked at him with a stern face: “I heard Linchuan TV wants to do an exclusive interview with you. Why do you keep delaying it?”

“The final exams are coming up. I need to review seriously Dean. How can I have the mind to do these things.” Jiang Qin stated righteously.

“You can deceive others but don’t deceive yourself. Your absence rate this semester has already reached the red line. Serious review? Even if you open a book now that would be previewing not reviewing!”

“…”

Jiang Qin really couldn’t retort: “Dean are you wanting me to accept the interview?”

“The school has put great effort into cultivating you giving you resources and venues. It’s all in hopes that you can stand out as Linchuan University’s entrepreneurial star. This will not only enhance the school’s image but also greatly benefit the upcoming summer admissions!”

The implication in Zhang Boiqing’s words was for him to go accept the interview as soon as possible.

Actually this matter was very easy to understand. Linchuan University’s support for Jiang Qin all along was waiting for him to gain fame and bring various benefits to Linchuan University.

But Jiang Qin had always been sneakily unwilling to show his face. These benefits were undoubtedly greatly discounted.

Now summer admissions were about to begin. Not to mention students from other places Linchuan’s local and surrounding student sources still needed to be competed for. If Jiang Qin appeared on TV it would undoubtedly be the best publicity for Linchuan University’s admissions.

The school is student-oriented. Running a school is like managing a brand. If you have something good but can’t show it who can stand that?

Moreover the Ministry of Education had been issuing documents encouraging college students to start businesses. With Jiang Qin as a real example all external work would be much easier to carry out in the coming year.

“Dean if it was someone else persuading me I definitely wouldn’t go. But if it’s you I’ll go accept the interview right away.”

“Really?”

“I will always remember the Dean’s cultivation of me. I must listen to any of your requests.” Jiang Qin placed his hand over his heart.

After hearing this, Dean Zhang actually felt a bit embarrassed: “Jiang Qin ah, I’m not trying to force you, but the school really needs to show some results in terms of college student entrepreneurship. Does your office still need anything? Just let me know.”