Chapter 346: Far Ahead

The National Day holiday ended quickly. For some, it was a boring holiday, yet for others, it was extremely rewarding.

Wanzhong Group and Qin Real Estate reached a cooperation. They started hiring people to design construction drawings and contacted several local engineering teams to handle the preliminary details methodically.

After all, a tall building cannot be erected on flat ground. Every detail needs extra caution.

At the same time, following Jiang Qin’s suggestion, He Yijun took on a project to renovate an old shopping mall in a city near Linchuan.

This project, led by the local government, has slim profit margins but low costs, letting Wanzhong Group practice and move ahead.

This path was exactly planned by Jiang Qin for Wanzhong’s development.

Because when the era of e-commerce fully launches, many pure sales malls will gradually fall, but no regional leader wants to see economic decline or rising unemployment.

They certainly hope to attract investment from outside to boost the local business environment.

By then, Jiang Qin plans to act under the identity of Linchuan business group and ask Linchuan government to aggressively take over old mall renovation projects like Wanzhong did—play a small investment game that resonates widely.

Once the brand is strengthened and recognized, they could then delve into urban complexes combining commercial and residential uses.

However, he didn’t expect Feng Nanshu’s aunt to interfere offering Wanzhong a solid foothold in Shanghai. A branding strategy that usually takes five to ten years could now be achieved in just a year and a half.

You see, plans seldom keep up with changes.

Yet, even with new opportunities, when He Yijun heard Jiang Qin explain the initially planned route for Wanzhong, he fell into deep silence.

Initially, when interacting with Jiang Qin, it was always Jiang who won making He quite uncomfortable, always feeling like he was at a loss.

But looking long-term, He Yijun felt he too was a winner.

He and Jiang Qin together, although it was always Jiang winning, they always managed to stay ahead of the era.

A year ago, Jiang won over him with advertising fees but gave him a chance for reform, won nearly a million in planning fees but revived Wanzhong, later even won his office using it ruthlessly yet brought him a massive business opportunity.

Such fleeting yet supportive relationships look profoundly moving from today’s perspective.

“Boss Jiang, I’ll never curse at you as a dog again,” He Yijun said emotionally over the phone.

Jiang Qin’s voice came through, “President He, moved by me, aren’t you? Honestly, if Qin Zhihuan hadn’t appeared, I was planning to sell you this development path for a billion.”

“Damn, Jiang Qin, you’re really sly!”

Jiang Qin held the phone away, using his deep physics knowledge to filter out He’s praise, shrugging it off—his billion dreams might be gone, but he probably won more.

Moments later, a series of hellos echoed from the receiver before Jiang Qin brought the phone back to his ear, listening to He rave about the Shanghai project.

Simply put, it was like a big pie falling from the sky—he wasn’t sure if he could catch it.

Jiang Qin chuckled, thinking the playbook he provided was a mature version of Integrated Mall 3.0—not twenty years ahead, but at least ten.

“Uncle.”

“Hmm?”

“Where are we heading now?”

In a pink BMW, Liu Yin had been driving around the airport for three laps because of Jiang Qin’s ongoing calls about government projects and billion-dollar deals—she didn’t dare ask until he hung up.

Jiang hadn’t planned on having Liu Yin pick him up—the taxi was more convenient and didn’t owe anyone favors, but Liu Xiliang insisted his daughter come, and she agreed, so it happened.

But he hadn’t expected even though he was seven years younger than Liu Yin and this was only their second meeting, her calling him ‘Uncle’ felt utterly natural—even more so than for Cao Guangyu, who lacked any finesse.

Sending a wealthy youngster’s uncle packing was beneath Old Cao.

“Let’s go to Wanzhong first, drop off Director Sun Zhi and Manager Deng, then take me to Linchuan University.”

“Oh, okay.”

Liu Yin made a U-turn at the upcoming junction and drove towards downtown, keeping an eye on Jiang Qin through the rear-view mirror, silently impressed.

She heard that her uncle had been to Shanghai and Hangzhou for business discussions worth ten billion, even negotiated cooperation with the largest online business enterprise, planning to lead all Linchuan brands beyond their local ground—any of these accomplishments were astonishing.

The key point…

He was only twenty years old.

This kind of twenty-year-old could make many of his peers, no—thirty-year-olds, forty-year-olds, even fifty-year-olds feel utterly inadequate.

According to Ye Ziqing, he really came from a humble family of workers, which was remarkable.

Calling him ‘Uncle’ was truly worth it.

Liu Yin thought if she were still in college and had such a male classmate, all those so-called male gods and handsome boys would pale in comparison.

As she mused, forgetting to notice passing in front of Wanzhong Mall until Deng Yuan spoke up—she then found the nearest spot to turn around.

Absolutely terrifying, this uncle—he could captivate souls!

“…”

Meanwhile, as news of Jiang Qin’s return spread, members of the Linchuan business group lined up making calls, sharing current project progress.

Jiaduoji was gaining fame in several top-tier university towns, and their posters at various hotpot restaurants started creating a chain effect, making hotpot with Jiaduoji a recognized pairing.

Additionally, Kangmailang rushed production before the holiday ended, stocking up 1L iced black tea in university towns as per Jiang Qin’s advises; they even adjusted the noodle buckets to hold one and a half.

Through strategic brand promotions, the enhanced packages maintained their original price range, meaning you get more for roughly the same money.

Under such circumstances, establishing a brand image for Kangmailang was not difficult.

On another note, River Hotpot, Qing Flower Pepper Grilled Fish, Burger King, and Xitian’s branches were already renovated, and recruitment notices were posted.

Many students returning to school would be surprised to suddenly find four new stores nearby, choosing to try something fresh…

Everything was proceeding in an orderly manner.

At this stage, the nationwide market response remained calm as if every day was business as usual, with nothing remarkable happening.

But Jiang Qin knew many investors were quietly preparing, and numerous talents returning from abroad were ready to make waves during this period.

Yet, no one knew that a city based on heavy industry was planning to catch some fish in this impending storm.

They’d already donned black raincoats, walking hand in hand along the dark path lined with raindrops on Zhihu, hand in hand, poking into the university town market.

Examples include Wanzhong Group’s collaboration with Qin Real Estate, the group-buying deal with Alipay, the second push by Zhihu, and the united marketing by Linchuan’s local brands.

“Uncle, we’ve arrived at Linchuan University.”

“Okay, thank you; I’ll treat you to a meal next time.”

“Oh, okay.”

Liu Yin obediently agreed, deeply embodying her role as a niece.

Meanwhile, Jiang Qin exited the car, looking around. Seeing no jealous eyes, he confidently walked into the campus, swaggering almost crab-like.

Don’t think he skips classes—he’s avid about returning early to school.

Passing by the front square, Jiang Qin noticed Gao Wenhui sitting at Xitian, furiously scratching her head at a laptop with a grimacing expression, looking somewhat frightening.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m stuck—horribly stuck! Jiang Qin, why did I choose to be a writer? Did I have water in my brain?”

Jiang Qin laughed, “Did you mention this when you were spending my blogging prize money?”

Gao Wenhui paused, sidestepping the topic, “Do you know why I’m stuck? It’s because I haven’t had anything sweet for a long time!”

“Alright, I’ll make you some ice cream.”

“Jiang Qin, cut to the chase; you know I’m talking about you and Feng Nanshu.”

Jiang Qin dropped his bag on the table, “By the way, where’s Feng Nanshu? Didn’t she come back?”

Gao Wenhui glanced at him, “You have the nerve to ask others about your wife-to-be’s whereabouts?”

“Miss Gao, you’re not losing out by having your salary docked.”

“…”

Gao Wenhui waved it off, “Alright, alright, since you’ve asked sincerely, I’ll tell you—Nanshu isn’t coming back today.”

Jiang Qin was puzzled, “Why?”

“Heard someone in her family’s getting married, causing a delay. Her family will bring her here tomorrow. Jiang Qin, have you met Feng Nanshu’s family? I advise you to dress up a bit—time to meet the in-laws, shabby son-in-law!”

“?”

Jiang Qin paused, his gaze deepening.

Qin Jingqiu was still in Shanghai; she couldn’t suddenly be in Jizhou, nor was she bringing the little rich girl back to school. That means Feng Nanshu’s father and stepmother are back?

That’s likely because if it’s a family wedding, they might come back and bring the little rich girl to school too.

“Hey, Jiang Qin, where are you going?”

“My hair’s gotten long—I’m off to get a cool haircut.”