Chapter 368: The Suixin Group Comes to Poach

After the wine party of the Linchuan Business Group ended at ten in the evening, the waitresses in cheongsam began handing out parting gifts and assisted the bosses as they left.

At the front door of Longkai Hotel, various luxury cars lined up illuminated by headlights as bright as daylight.

Traditionally, end-of-year banquets lasted well into the night. Some bosses who hadn’t had enough would switch venues for more vibrant entertainment and continued music and dance.

But no one expected this wine party to end at ten.

“Why so early?”

“President Jiang said their student dorm has a curfew, doors close at ten-thirty.”

“Oh…”

The suited bosses staggered, recalling that the god of wealth was actually a university student reportedly the first ‘Star of Learning’ at Linchuan University.

This identity should have been easy to remember, yet they always seemed to forget Jiang Qin’s status as a student.

From discussing commercial strategies with Linchuan’s bosses to rushing back for a dorm curfew, a man both influential and disciplined was truly frightening.

“Shall we go?”

“Let’s see President Jiang off first, then we can leave.”

The group of bosses descended the steps and headed towards the front door. They saw Jiang Qin waving goodbye under an orange glow, then hopping onto the back seat of a pink electric scooter, whisked away by an exceptionally pretty girl.

Some bosses who had boarded their cars early didn’t dare overtake him, so they followed slowly behind, creating a surreal scene.

At this moment, Liu Xiliang of Burger King watched the scooter carrying the god of wealth disappear, then squatted at the hotel entrance waiting for a pick-up, receiving greetings from many bosses asking which way he was going.

“President Liu, want to ride back with me?”

“No need, my daughter uncharacteristically volunteered to pick me up today.”

“Ha ha ha okay, see you next time.”

Liu Xiliang smiled and waved goodbye, then saw a black van stop in front of him.

The van door opened, and Liu Yin invited her father aboard.

“Whose car is this?”

“Uh, a friend’s car.”

Liu Xiliang didn’t think much of it and just got in. He found not only his daughter inside but also her best friend Ye Ziqing along with another unfamiliar man and woman.

Liu Xiliang was surprised, “Yin Yin, you’re going out with friends again tonight?”

“No, Dad, Zi Qing and her friends came to see you.”

“?”

In mid-October 2009, Ye Ziqing suddenly received a call from a university senior inviting her for a meal.

This senior named Zhou Zhenhao was 28 years old and had been a close friend for years. He had helped her significantly during the early days of her group-buying website with networking and negotiations.

Though the site eventually closed, Zhou Zhenhao had left a lasting impression on her.

Also at the meal was Cui Yiting, another distinguished individual from her class.

Cui Yiting was smart and attractive but didn’t like to be seen as just a pretty face; she had successfully run a supermarket and a tutoring service while in school.

The three of them truly shone back then.

Even compared to Jiang Qin, they were exceptionally bright.

They were also from wealthy families, especially Cui Yiting, whose family dealt in real estate and was expanding their business.

Apart from their impressive family backgrounds, they each had a strong sense of competition and wanted to accomplish something truly their own. It was no surprise they were friends.

“Zi Qing, let’s start a group-buying site together.”

“…”

“You must know about Jiang Qin’s decision. He’s quitting group-buying saying it has no future. Isn’t this a great opportunity?”

“He’s too young, his perspective hasn’t matured with the times. But you, junior, should know group-buying is the future’s blue ocean.”

“The group-buying system is mature, it’s replicable. We can just use it directly.”

“With Jiang Qin’s development path as a guide, within a year we can securely lead the race.”

Ye Ziqing thought this was just a friendly reunion until Zhou Zhenhao bluntly started pitching, causing her to fall silent.

Over the years after graduation, life had been dull.

Busy with family business, accompanying clients for drinks, she had grown numb.

It was only with Jiang Qin’s venture that she realized she still wanted to be an entrepreneur, to rise from her past failures.

But Jiang Qin had quit, refusing to continue, so hearing Zhou Zhenhao agree stirred her.

In fact, Ye Ziqing had long contemplated starting her own group-buying site, knowing someone would eventually if Jiang Qin didn’t cherish it, why couldn’t she?

However, blocked by a moral hesitation, she hadn’t proposed “buying the group-buying venture.”

But today, as Zhou Zhenhao voiced this idea, she realized how much she desired it.

Within less than three days, she unlocked her mental restraints, and together with Zhou Zhenhao and Cui Yiting, she founded Suixin Group in Yangzhou.

Following Jiang Qin’s model, Suixin Group expanded rapidly across the city.

Yangzhou’s city leaders, already monitoring Linchuan’s developments, promptly met them, significantly boosting Suixin Group’s growth.

Their visit today to Liu Xiliang was to seek partnership.

With Linchuan’s local brands now popular, group-buying with these brands was indispensable.

“Uncle Liu, I know you’re partners with Jiang Qin, but since he’s quit group-buying, strictly speaking, we’re not competitors. So partnering with us shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Group-buying is a major future trend. Modern youth will compare online, select shops, and consume directly, making group-buying inevitable.”

“Uncle Liu, Yin Yin and I have been friends since childhood. You can trust me, right?”

Liu Xiliang didn’t respond.

The trio thought he was considering, so they highlighted their future development plans.

For example, quickly expanding into one city while employing multiple channels for promotion, turning points into lines, lines into a network, to create their distinct business model.

“Uncle Liu, within two years, Suixin Group will be nationwide.”

Liu Xiliang nodded, “Good concept, but I can’t agree to partner.”

Zhou Zhenhao clenched his fist slightly, “Uncle Liu, sometimes it’s good to embrace new things.”

“You youngsters have spirit, which is good. I won’t discourage you. I’ll do what I can to help, except for partnership matters, out of respect for Yin Yin.”

Ye Ziqing, Zhou Zhenhao, and Cui Yiting exchanged glances before speaking up, “If you disagree, could you at least help us arrange a meeting with other brand CEOs?”

Liu Xiliang paused, “It’s pointless. Their views will likely align with mine.”

“Uncle Liu, just help us arrange it. We can handle the rest.”

“…”

Fifteen minutes later, the black van stopped at a residential complex. Liu Xiliang and Liu Yin got out and walked through the main gate.

Liu Yin was puzzled by her father’s firm refusal. “Dad, Jiang Uncle has quit group-buying. Why won’t you give them a chance?”

Liu Xiliang turned to Liu Yin, “Like them, I once thought being ruthless and bold in business was enough. But meeting your Jiang Uncle showed me that’s not how real business is done.”

Liu Yin was confused, “How does Jiang Uncle do business?”

“How would I know? If I did, wouldn’t I be the richest man? But if you saw your Jiang Uncle’s methods, you’d know Zi Qing and others are too naive. If Jiang is building a Great Wall, they are merely playing in the sand.”

“But Suixin Group is really popular in Yangzhou.”

“Isn’t Burger King popular in Linchuan? It’s a well-known brand. I spent five years marketing it externally, all eighteen stores outside failed. Daughter, no one cares when you’re just a local business, but it’s not the same nationally.”

Liu Yin followed inside, “Dad, are you saying Zi Qing and her friends will fail?”

Liu Xiliang settled on the sofa with a cup of tea, “They’re doing well in Yangzhou because they benefit from your Jiang Uncle’s influence. Systems, models, and even the city government’s support because of Jiang Qin’s methods in Linchuan. Understand?”

“I understand.”

“So Yangzhou’s success isn’t theirs, it’s your Jiang Uncle’s. Once they expand beyond, they’ll realize it’s not so easy. From points to lines—do you think their competitors will just watch?”

Liu Yin was silent for a while, “But Zi Qing is my good friend.”

Liu Xiliang glanced at his daughter, “That’s why I agreed to help arrange a meal. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have considered it.”

“…”

Three days after New Year’s, Liu Xiliang arranged for a few of Linchuan’s popular brand CEOs to meet at Juxian Building.

This time, Ye Ziqing and her team came prepared with over twenty pages of PowerPoint slides, explaining incessantly as the brand owners dined.

Cui Yiting, attractive and articulate, presented their case impressively, capturing the undivided attention of the CEOs.

After the presentation, however, the CEOs shook their heads smilingly. Their thoughts aligned with Liu Xiliang’s.

Having witnessed Jiang Qin’s capabilities, they found Ye Ziqing’s team’s pitch unappealing.

“Miss, your Suixin Group is just Jiang’s group-buying venture, right?”

“Uh, our model is similar.”

“If Jiang has quit, why are you still daring to do it? So stubborn?”

Cui Yiting was taken aback, “Just because he quit doesn’t mean we can’t, right?”

Zhou Zhenhao pulled her aside, smiling, “President Zhao, Jiang Qin is no god. His quitting group-buying doesn’t mean the venture isn’t viable.”

Zero Hour Store’s President Zhao waved it off, “Young Zhou, your ideas are indeed commendable, but I prefer to trust Jiang’s judgment. Moreover, we in the Linchuan Business Group have our own rules. Let’s leave partnership talks out of it and call it a day.”

As they spoke, other CEOs expressed similar sentiments and left the table.

They had come merely out of respect for Liu Xiliang, barely touching their food, then left the private room amidst light-hearted banter.

Seeing this, Zhou Zhenhao’s smile gradually faded, “These people really lack vision.”

Ye Ziqing patted his shoulder, “Business isn’t always smooth; just keep a level head.”

“I’m fine, but President Zhao calling Jiang ‘President Jiang’ and me ‘Young Zhou’ is simply rude.”

Cui Yiting packed up her laptop and sat down, “Time will prove who the real winners are. Hope they don’t regret today’s rejection.”

Liu Yin also sat beside them, “Zi Qing, considering the investment isn’t substantial yet, you might want to think it over.”

Ye Ziqing looked slightly puzzled, “Yin Yin, you too? Don’t you trust my judgment?”

“Not at all, just a reminder.”

“Let’s eat first. Having these brand collaborations would be great, but without them, we’ll still manage. No worries.”

The four of them sat down to eat some more before leaving Juxian Building.

The negotiations fell through, and Ye Ziqing’s group inevitably felt a bit disheartened. So, they took a walk down the street and unexpectedly came across the bosses who had just left Juxian Building.

The bosses were dressed to the nines, standing in front a milk tea shop, stylishly queuing up with a black card in hand.

Seeing this, everyone was a bit shocked.

“Dad, what are you doing?”

“Drinking milk tea. Look at this flavor, it’s exclusive to the world’s richest man. It might be cliché, but it’s really addictive.”

“You’ve started drinking milk tea too?”

“It’s a new product from Boss Jiang’s family, free with a Chamber of Commerce card. We saw it when we came out and decided to try it.”