Chapter 335: Land or Delivery?

On September 26th, a drizzling rain visited Linchuan University at night, bringing a cool autumn atmosphere.

Room 302 had switched from thin blankets to duvets, everyone wrapped up like cocoons, listening to the pattering rain outside, lazily sleeping in.

At this time, Boss Jiang had just finished fifteen sets of abdominal exercises, changed clothes, and stepped out of the dorm.

The diligent get more diligent, the wealthy get wealthier. Some are not only rich and diligent but also handsome. How can you compare?

Carrying an umbrella, Jiang Qin picked up a branch from the roadside, a weapon no man could resist. He slashed through his own unseen world as he walked toward the entrepreneurship base.

Upon reaching 208, Jiang Qin washed his hands and checked an email from Tan Qing.

Thanks to the street team’s efforts, promotions in Ningbo, Changsha, and Zhengzhou had officially ended.

So far, Zhihu had conquered twelve cities with over eight hundred thousand users. The rate of new user registrations was still skyrocketing.

This is the power of viral spread, planting seeds swiftly in each city, ramping up user numbers, and continuously supplying fresh blood in promoted cities.

Today’s Zhihu has entirely transformed from six months ago, becoming more diverse in content and more engaging in its offerings.

Especially the bloggers cultivated early on, their followers have now grown significantly.

As the follower count increases, so does the richness of the content they create.

Jiang Qin knew that Zhihu was gradually taking the shape of a “new media entity,” a prerequisite for a content platform reaching its peak.

In the afternoon, as the light rain continued, Sun Zhi arrived at Linchuan University and handed a document he had compiled to Jiang Qin’s desk.

The document, thick with content, was about third-party payment tools, evidently showing his effort over this period.

“Boss, although Alipay keeps a low profile, it’s clear they aim to snatch business from banks. Isn’t that too bold?”

“What’s the issue?” Jiang Qin glanced at him.

After organizing his thoughts, Sun Zhi spoke, “Last month, Alipay’s head attended a media interview. He mentioned developing a balance wallet letting users store money for future online shopping and recharges without needing any security tools. Isn’t that absurd?”

“You think it’s not possible?”

“Of course not. What does he want to do, create a new super bank? He’s daring users to deposit; it’s like he’s trying to cut the banks’ lifelines. Getting a financial license would be truly bizarre.”

Jiang Qin, not familiar with Alipay’s development history, just remembered a few key milestones.

Like Alipay’s independence, obtaining a financial license, the launch of Yuebao, and the failed IPO of Ant Financial…

Since these matters had no direct connection to Jiang Qin in his previous life, they remained just news to him.

But now, hearing Sun Zhi put it that way, he could truly imagine how insane one must be to come up with a concept like Alipay.

Users’ deposits are banks’ lifelines; without them, how would loans or interest work? It’s no wonder the banks would be up in arms – this idea clearly exposes Alibaba’s ambitions.

“Disturbing the foundation is indeed akin to dismantling a skyscraper.”

Sun Zhi emphatically nodded, “Not just the banks, users wouldn’t accept it either. What does he have to ensure the security of users’ funds?”

Jiang Qin interrupted him, “Sun Zhi, get to the point.”

“Boss, I think we should be cautious about any partnership. Maybe we should drop it; it’s too far-fetched.”

“No, stick to the plan. Engage with an influential decision-maker and schedule a meeting.”

“Ah?”

Jiang Qin sipped his tea, “Because everyone thinks it’s impossible, now is a good time to negotiate. If it becomes feasible, then they’ll have us at their mercy.”

As an employee, Sun Zhi had to follow his boss’s instructions, so he nodded, “Alright, boss. I’ll make the call.”

“If an in-person meeting is required, try to schedule it around the 11th. I’ll go with you.”

“Understood.”

As they were talking, Jiang Qin’s phone started vibrating. He Yijun was calling, asking him to meet at Wanzhong for an important discussion.

Conveniently, Sun Zhi was heading back to Wanzhong, and it had been a while since Jiang Qin last visited the Wanzhong branch, so they decided to go together.

Driving was, of course, Sun Zhi. Although he was a manager, he definitely wouldn’t dare let Jiang Qin drive. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to sit still.

Upon arrival at Wanzhong, He Yijun was already waiting at the conference room door and quickly pulled Jiang Qin inside.

“President Jiang, I’ve made up my mind.”

“Decided what? To donate Wanzhong to me at no charge?” Jiang Qin grinned.

He Yijun spat at him, “I’m talking about making Wanzhong flourish nationwide. You are Wanzhong’s second-largest shareholder; I need to discuss this with you.”

“Do you want my support, or do you want me to dissuade you?”

“Of course, I need your support!”

Jiang Qin nodded with a serious face, “It seems you’ve really thought this through. Then there’s only one thing to say: go for it.”

He Yijun poured him a cup of tea, “I’m gathering the funds, the loan has been approved, and a few mine owners are considering financing us. Most crucially, I’ve found an opportunity.”

“An opportunity?”

“Remember the last business group gathering? The one where you held a session? After the gathering, one of the members came up to me insisting on visiting my mall. After his visit, he directly expressed interest in partnering with me because he has land in Shanghai.”

Jiang Qin raised an eyebrow, “A boss from the Linchuan business group has land in Shanghai? Or even a land-owning boss? You must be dreaming.”

Knowing Jiang Qin wouldn’t believe him, He Yijun continued, “I’m serious. He really has land, and all the paperwork is in order.”

“Are you sure it’s not a delivery? Asking you to pick up a package for him?”

“Why won’t you believe it? Though it feels like a pie from the sky, this is precisely the first step for Wanzhong to expand outward.”

The more Jiang Qin heard, the more uncertain he felt, “Old He, don’t get scammed. The more I hear, the more absurd it seems. It’s land we’re talking about, not oranges or bananas.”

He Yijun immediately took out his phone, “I’ll call him to come over. Just wait!”

“……”

Half an hour later, He Yijun received a call and then led Jiang Qin downstairs to the front square to meet the land-owning boss.

Surprisingly to Boss Jiang, the man wasn’t a pot-bellied tycoon or a sleazy scammer type. Instead, he was quite young, around thirty.

Honestly, without prior background, Jiang Qin would have assumed he was a doctor or a lawyer, radiating an aura of an intellectual.

“Old He, have you ever heard the saying ‘A beardless mouth is not steadfast in affairs’?”

He Yijun looked at Jiang Qin in surprise, “President Jiang, do you have a beard?”

Caught off guard, Jiang Qin retorted, “I’m different. I was the first ‘Star of Learning’ at Linchuan, a ‘Youth of Linchuan’… Never mind the titles. Basically, I’m the favored one!”

“Favored or not, I don’t know. But President Jiang, your skin must be at least Michelin five-star.”

“Enough with the banter. Let’s see what he has to say.”

Just as Jiang Qin finished speaking, the intellectual-looking man approached them, “President He, President Jiang, hello.”

Jiang Qin was taken aback, “You know me?”

“I attended the Linchuan gathering where you lectured. It was very enlightening.”

“You don’t sound like you’re from the north. From Shanghai?”

The man hesitated, then nodded, “Right. My ancestry is from Linchuan. My grandfather moved to Shanghai.”

Jiang Qin gave him a look, a realization sparking: “Is your surname Feng?”

“Ah? Uh… No, I’m not a Feng. My name is Qin Zhihuan.”

Unable to restrain himself, He Yijun interrupted, “Enough, President Jiang, this isn’t the place for chatting. Let’s head to the conference room. Mr. Qin, after you.”

Once in the conference room, the three of them sat down to discuss. He Yijun and Qin Zhihuan had already talked multiple times before. This session was mainly to alleviate Jiang Qin’s doubts.

Qin Zhihuan didn’t treat Jiang Qin as an outsider, directly laying out copies of various documents and paperwork on the table, almost astonishing Jiang Qin.

This person isn’t a Feng; he’s a Qin. What’s his angle? Targeting Old He because of his age? Because he doesn’t bathe?

But on second thought, Jiang Qin’s own starting capital for his business was similarly outrageous, lent by a celestial girl.

However…

Since borrowing that money, he had nearly bankrupted himself. He hoped He Yijun wouldn’t end up the same.

“What do you think? Can we trust this Qin Zhihuan?”

“Logically, it makes sense, and there are no loopholes. But I think a person’s motive is most important when they do something. If he wants to partner, he’s definitely after something.”

He Yijun nodded, “The third time we met, he made it clear. He wants a share in Wanzhong.”

Jiang Qin pursed his lips, “You’re the boss of Wanzhong. Some decisions are still yours to make. My advice is to be cautious.”

“By the way, why did you ask if his surname was Feng?”

“No reason. I was just worried your company might accidentally become my good friend’s.”

“????”

Snapping out of his thoughts, Jiang Qin asked, “How’s Manqi been lately?”

At the mention of his daughter, He Yijun couldn’t stop smiling, “After repeating a year, Manqi’s grades have soared. She told me a few days ago that she wouldn’t give up unless she gets into Linchuan University.”

He Manqi’s last college entrance exam scores weren’t great, enough for a tier-two university, but that made Old He ecstatic. However, He Manqi insisted on Linchuan University to meet Feng Nanshu, so she resolutely chose to repeat her final year.

Initially, Old He disagreed as he didn’t need his daughter to be exceptional; as long as she fixed her bad habits of skipping classes and hanging out, he would be content.

Eventually, it was Jiang Qin who persuaded He Yijun. Since she wanted it, let her be responsible for her own future.