Chapter 367: Being Handsome Is Not Your Fault

With the year’s end approaching fast, January had a lot of minor issues to be addressed, like the final exams.

This year, the holidays start earlier than usual; it’s said we can leave school by January 12th, so right after New Year’s Day, we dive into revision week with tight schedules.

Places like the library and study rooms were occupied early on.

Although Jiang Qin is celebrated as Linchuan University’s first ‘Study Star’, and the school would ensure his pass for its own reputation, there are professors at Linchuan who are devoted to academia and won’t give anyone face, so the material still needs to be learned at least to a passable level.

Just like in advanced mathematics, if you don’t study, you won’t even know how to write the wrong answers. Could you possibly write the Pythagorean theorem instead?

Jiang Qin paused, pondered deeply in his mind, then suddenly turned pale, murmuring, “What the heck is the Pythagorean theorem?”

Wrongly paid. It has always been wrongly paid…

The only theorem I knew has also quietly departed from me, much like love.

Jiang Qin sighed, crawled out of his bed, and noticed that his three roommates had already started revising while sitting up in their beds.

Especially Cao Guangyu and Ren Ziqiang, who last time played all tricks fearing the other would score better, ended up both failing. This time they learned to be honest and understood that while tricks could break down, exams truly measure your knowledge.

“Brother Cao, how much have you reviewed?”

“Most of it, almost finished.”

Ren Ziqiang’s expression changed as he secretly sped up.

However, Jiang Qin didn’t need to study as hard since he had a personal teacher who taught quickly and well without charging fees. Good performance even came with rewards, though it did cost quite a few pairs of stockings.

Jiang Qin got out of bed, freshened up a bit, then shivered in his coat on his way to the library.

“Jiang Qin, what are the characteristics of an imperfectly competitive market?”

In the library, Jiang Qin confidently straightened up: “I know this one, pick A.”

Feng Nanshu paused, “This is a summary question, not a multiple-choice one.”

“Wasn’t it multiple-choice yesterday? What did I tell you? Women are fickle.”

Feng Nanshu puffed up her cheeks, “Did you forget everything we reviewed yesterday?”

“Not everything, at least I remember this question should be A.”

Gao Wenhui typing furiously at her computer couldn’t help but look up, “I still can’t figure out how you became a ‘Study Star’.”

Jiang Qin thought for a moment, “Some people say it’s because of my looks.”

“?????”

“I didn’t say that, it’s really what people are spreading outside. They even complained, saying they didn’t expect such a good school as Linchuan to have a shady side, giving awards to the good-looking.”

Feng Nanshu looked up at him, “It’s wrong for them to say that. Being handsome isn’t your fault.”

Jiang Qin nodded, “Yeah, too bad nobody understands me.”

“You really can’t expect two people from the same bed to be different…”

Gao Wenhui watched them, one daring to say such things, the other daring to believe. She couldn’t even afford to get angry, “At least you have your entrepreneurial achievements. If I fail, I can’t even have a good New Year.”

Jiang Qin nodded somewhat in agreement, “I’m somewhat the same. Entrepreneurship aside, bad grades would still get me criticized.”

Feng Nanshu looked up, “I will definitely do well. And Jiang Qin’s mom won’t criticize me.”

“You’re going to my house for New Year’s again?”

“I am going…”

Jiang Qin spread his hands, “Then why should I even bother studying? Passing is enough.”

Besides dealing with the final exams, January involved handling trivial matters like the New Year’s meals for various branches.

In 2008, the Zhihu project hatched with just twelve employees, hardly filling half of Room 208.

Before you knew it, 2010 stepped in, and Zhihu along with Pintuan had officially reached 130 employees, not even counting part-time college staff, remote branch employees, and Pintuan delivery staff.

The old year-end gatherings were manageable with just one table in Room 207, costing no more than five hundred yuan at most, but with the company growing, large collective gatherings became impractical.

At noon, Jiang Qin left the library, went to the entrepreneurship base, and distributed the party plans to everyone.

“Now that our business scope has widened and the team more dispersed, cohesion is still essential, so let’s start arranging the year-end meals for each team during this period.”

“Lanlan and Su Nai are responsible for organising the Pintuan branch’s meal.”

“Tan Qing and Wen Jinrui will handle the meals for Linchuan Business Group and the Golden Silkwood Fund.”

“Wenhao, Feiyu, Xuemei, and Xu Yu are responsible for leading the content, technical, and finance departments.”

“I’ll… take care of the boss lady.”

Hearing Jiang Qin’s arrangements, people in Room 208 couldn’t help but purse their lips thinking the boss really kept the best for himself.

Wei Lanlan spoke up, “Boss, what standard are we following for the year-end meal?”

“Let’s budget five hundred per person, and remember to hand out the year-end bonuses during the meal in cash, stacks of it. We’ve been loud and proud all year, and at the end, we have to show off all the elegance we have.”

Xu Yu also chimed in, “Department leaders, please tally your team members’ numbers and submit applications within three days. If uncertain, you can also bring invoices for reimbursement after the meal.”

Hearing this, everyone stiffened their chests slightly.

They were used to staying in Room 208 and being ordered around by Jiang Qin, so leading didn’t feel very pronounced. But when Jiang Qin had them manage their respective teams for meals and personally distribute year-end bonuses, they could finally feel the shift in their roles.

Indeed, a boss can’t possibly manage everything by himself, especially as the team grows larger, which means management becomes tougher.

Just like this year’s end-of-year gathering, they finally also had to take main stage and handle things on their own.

With this thought, everyone in Room 208 sprung into action, sending notifications and booking restaurants.

The team meals were all set, but there was one meal Jiang Qin had to attend personally, the Linchuan Business Group’s annual wine party.

Before the Business Group was established, Linchuan had a Chamber of Commerce that liked to gather at the end of the year to boast, but since Jiang Qin spearheaded the Business Group, the Chamber largely ceased to exist, with some staff being directly absorbed into the Linchuan Business Group.

Although the name changed and so did the meaning, the tradition of hosting a wine party at year’s end continued.

Having made so much money, why not show off some opulence? What’s the difference between that and a moonlight flit otherwise?

At eight in the evening, Jiang Qin drove to the Longkai International Hotel, where banners were already hoisted, and the hotel inside and out hosted a bevy of successful people in business attire who, upon seeing Jiang Qin, immediately greeted him warmly and escorted him to the main table.

Honestly, the Linchuan Business Group’s wine party was far grander than the initial Linchuan Chamber’s gatherings.

Not just in numbers but even the entire banquet hall was spectacularly opulent, filled with the scent of money, and the waitresses, all in cheongsam, had their slits open up to their navels.

“Last time I attended a gathering, I sat at the last table which didn’t even have a fruit plate, just a plate of sunflower seeds.”

“Really?”

“Of course. I got in through connections with President He back then, listening to all the business big shots talk without daring to breathe loudly. I recall one boss even mistook me for a waiter.”

Hearing this, several big bosses around him thought he was joking, showing disbelief.

To them, Jiang Qin was a dazzling figure, capable of turning situations around; how could he have ever been so humble?

Knowing they didn’t believe him, Jiang Qin spoke with a touch of nostalgia, “You all know I started with Pintuan local collaborations, and back then, getting in touch with business partners was deadly hard. I couldn’t contact anyone.”

One boss named Wang was startled, “That’s not right, Mr. Jiang. I remember your first call came straight to me. I was puzzled how you knew my personal number back then.”

“That was a little trick I used, embarrassing to mention now. I was still a nobody wanting to join the fun, just to get a business card.”

“But then, President He told me I wasn’t qualified enough and advised against getting a business card.”

“I thought I couldn’t come for nothing, so I played a sly trick.”

“Do you remember last year at the banquet entrance there was a showcase area for business elites’ business cards? That was my doing. I spent a hundred to bribe the sign-in staff, and the girl at the banquet hall entrance was mine, just to get the big shots’ business cards.”

“…”

After hearing this, the room suddenly fell silent. Those who had been smiling now exchanged looks of astonishment.

They genuinely didn’t know about this until now, still thinking it was a new stunt by the Linchuan Chamber.

In the past, several people here even argued fiercely about whose card should be in the first row and whose in the second because of it.

In their view, the front row symbolized status and position. Little did they know from that moment, Mr. Jiang had already been using this to maneuver them like pieces on a chessboard.

They initially thought they were pretty good at business, but just then, they suddenly felt perhaps not as adept.

At that moment, a waiter suddenly leaned close to Jiang Qin’s ear and mentioned someone was looking for him outside.

Jiang Qin nodded, set down his wine glass, and followed out.

Stepping outside the banquet hall, he saw Linchuan’s head officials approaching, trailed by several others, immediately engaging in enthusiastic greetings.

“Mr. Jiang, let me introduce you. This is Mr. Lei from Yangzhou, Mr. Fang, Mr. Yan, Mr. Wang from Xingzhou, Mr. Sui, and also from Weizhou…”

“They heard about the industrial upgrade happening here in Linchuan, knew about the good business environment and strong support, and all wanted to start companies here. As the head of the Business Group, I specifically brought them to meet you.”

As they chatted, various bosses from other places came up to shake hands and exchanged pleasantries, almost all saying how long they’d admired him.

After the introductions, the leader had his secretary pass a briefcase over, “I’ve prepared the things you asked for.”

“Thank you for the support, leader. Please, have a seat. Maybe you could give us some directions from the stage later?”

“Let’s skip it this time. It’s not suitable for this kind of event. Just keep up the good work, Mr. Jiang. The whole of Linchuan is behind you.”

After the leader and the other bosses left, Jiang Qin opened the briefcase, revealing a row of black ID cards stamped with the Linchuan Business Group logo—two fists tightly clasped together.

Jiang Qin called over a few waiters to distribute them according to the list.

He had always said that businesses need cohesion, and now the Linchuan Business Group needed it even more. These identity cards were prepared to unify everyone, much like employee badges.

After a while, Jiang Qin took his card and went on stage, microphone in hand.

“I believe everyone has received their membership cards. This could be considered our group’s identity symbol.”

“There’s an entrepreneur club in the western suburbs, a large area with golf, swimming pools, and scenic beauties, all enclosed by red walls and green trees. Just show this card and you can enter anytime.”

“Additionally, Linchuan Airport has specially opened a rest area and VIP passage for the Linchuan Business Group—entry is smooth with personal assistance.”

“It’s also regarded as an independent account at Linchuan Bank. Once activated, you’ll enjoy significant priorities in certain banking services.”

“I know everyone here has status, and these perks aren’t much, but it’s a form of support from Linchuan’s government, an affirmation and recognition for us.”

“One more thing.”

Jiang Qin paused, “The number of these cards won’t increase for a while. Please take good care of them.”

Sometimes, you shouldn’t just listen to the official lines but understand the unsaid words too.

No increase for now means the Linchuan Business Group members are set. Joining later might be much harder.

What the card does is not as important as what it represents.

The bosses at the event, holding their cards, felt suddenly as if they’d found a home. Amidst the solitary battles of commerce, they now seemed tightly bound as a collective identity.

The previous commerce association was all talk, but the current business group is truly collaborating. This thought made their sense of belonging surge.

Qin Zhihuan, who had just returned from Shanghai, was at the banquet. He had also received his membership card.

He looked at the card, thought about Jiang Qin’s turbulent journey, and sighed, “My dear aunt, this isn’t just a gold mine; it’s practically a diamond mine now.”

“Oh right, there’s something I forgot to mention.”

“With this card, you all can enjoy free milk tea at Xitian, but I do urge all of you to be kind.”