Chapter 377: Do You Know What a Patek Philippe Is?

In the blink of an eye, winter break is almost over, and Linchuan’s business operations had already kicked off before school started again.

After a year-long groundwork and staged marketing strategies, Jiaduoji and Kangmailang rapidly dominated the market, especially with ads over the New Year boosting their stature as renowned beverage brands.

The market isn’t monopolized, but the fact that they went national in just six months is nothing short of astonishing.

At the same time, the business loop 1.0, designed by Jiang Qin, took root in six major cities; Zero Hour, Vena Hotel, Meiye KTV, along with Mr. Fresh jointly run by Zhen Guoxian and Hai Baihui, joined the membership plan and are shaping up well.

The New Year really spurred momentum; with holiday promotions, Linchuan native brands charged nationally like a war chariot equipped with spikes, ferociously smashing through.

Co-marketing, phased marketing, New Year promotions, post-New Year promotions.

By the Lantern Festival, Xihan Heqing’s membership had skyrocketed past 500,000, a clear leader in various commercial circles.

Daily essentials, food, shelter, fuel – wherever there’s life, there’s Linchuan.

Jiang Qin once said, Internet business isn’t about pushing boulders uphill, but kicking them downhill.

After the New Year’s campaign, Jiang Qin climbed to the summit first, having carved out the path with hard work and cunning, earning the right to kick the stone downward.

Although he could now overlook all others, he still wore his lucky outfit, maintaining a low profile, like a seasoned strategist first to reach a vantage point.

He held a crossbow in his hand.

What crossbow?

A metaphorical one, using Zhihu’s national university market as the crossbow, and Linchuan native brands as the cold, sharp arrows.

Compared to those holding high-grade rifles, his equipment might seem inferior, but crossbows have their merits – limited range and ammo, yet devastatingly effective.

In 2008, his keyword was ‘startup’; 2009 was ‘takeoff’; and for 2010, he chose ‘startup lick’.

Jiang Qin felt like he was crouching in the bushes, stealthily observing the open track ahead, with a mysterious smile playing on his lips.

But not everyone had a smooth journey. Take Burger King, for example, which joined the first station marketing and ignited KFC’s wrath with its audacious ad style.

Shortly after the New Year, Burger King received a lawsuit from KFC.

Jestingly, they advertised, “Are you still eating those tiny burgers from ‘some KFC’? Try our Royal King Burger instead!”

Or, “It’s 2010, who still eats ‘some KFC’? Try a filling meal from Burger King at the same price.”

When you’re metaphorically stepping on faces, how can you not provoke a reaction?

Liu Xiliang, inexperienced in facing such giants, panicked and hurriedly called Jiang Qin for advice.

Jiang Qin told him to calm down then sent him a marketing document which, upon opening, revealed only four provocative news headlines.

[New Year bombshell as KFC sues Burger King – international fast-food giants at loggerheads: who will win?]

[Burger King joins the ranks of top-tier fast-food brands, unsettling KFC.]

[A clash between top international fast-food brands, Burger King and KFC, seems inevitable.]

[Freshly crowned a fast-food top-tier, Burger King now smells danger brewing for the old guard.]

“Find a few media outlets to write articles based on these headlines, then pull the old ads and launch a ‘Crazy Thursday’ campaign.”

“Externally, wait for the media releases to take effect before making a public apology.”

“Then buy another slot to say that the young, top-tier fast food brand, Burger King, gallantly owns up to its rash actions.”

“Next, I’ll spread a rumor that you grew up poor and dreamed of eating at KFC. Saving for a year, you finally did but left hungry, which inspired you to start Burger King.”

“Today you ignore me, tomorrow I’ll be out of your league.”

“People love motivational stories, this type of narrative spreads easily. Who knows, your name might even end up in textbooks; that’s how I became a study icon.”

After hearing Jiang Qin’s plan, Liu Xiliang, still bewildered, immediately phoned to contact the media.

Three days later, the news began to ferment.

Readers couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise, “So Burger King can truly stand toe-to-toe with KFC as a top-tier fast food brand!” Consequently, Xihan Heqing’s membership soared once more.

Membership and prepaid mechanisms capitalize on brand credit, and Burger King’s brand credit undoubtedly hit a peak following these maneuvers.

Taken aback, KFC’s business department planned to condemn Burger King’s flagrant actions publicly, but the move was stifled before it could take place.

With many keen minds, the company realized Burger King was using them for publicity. By staying passive, they minimized the buzz Burger King could generate.

Indeed, a few days later, the affair’s impact dwindled. Liu Xiliang marveled at Jiang Qin’s foresight, promptly seeking the media to make a public apology, with the young international brand Burger King humbly “paying” for its audacity.

KFC: “????”

Afterwards, a quaint tale about affording KFC and then starting Burger King spread widely in the motivational circles.

On February 21st, as the weather warmed and ice melted, winter break fully ended.

Starting in the morning, Jiang Qin and Feng Nanshu moved between the bedroom and living room, packing their luggage, ready to return to school.

“Jiang Qin, that’s my sock.”

“Ah? Oh, I got distracted and packed it by mistake.”

Extracting a pack of socks adorned with little bears and carrots, colorful and numerous, he stuffed them back into Feng Nanshu’s suitcase.

The little rich girl puffed her cheeks, thinking Jiang Qin was a big meanie.

Meanwhile, Yuan Youqin, who had started her day at six in the morning, emerged from the kitchen carrying hot dumplings, her eyes filled with reluctance.

That’s the thing about New Year – it’s quickly festive and quickly cold.

Many elders left alone in villages look forward to seeing their children during New Year, only to watch them leave afterwards, returning to solitary lives.

Yuan Youqin felt this deep connection, a mixture of reluctance and longing conveyed through the dish of dumplings.

“You’ve barely been back a few days and now you’re leaving again.”

Jiang Qin, eating a dumpling, looked up surprised: “Mom, you never used to say that.”

Yuan Youqin shifted her gaze from Feng Nanshu’s face: “What did I used to say?”

“You’d always say, ‘Oh, why isn’t school starting? Why do they give so many holidays? It’s maddening.'”

Mimicking his mother’s tone, Jiang Qin earned himself a few light smacks on the back of his hand.

Feng Nanshu watched from the side, eyes bright, then picked a dumpling, drowned it in vinegar, and ate with pure joy.

“Both of you, take care out there. Consult with each other on everything. Especially you, Jiang Qin, look after Nanshu and don’t bully her all the time.”

“Got it.”

“Nanshu too. Call me often. If Jiang Qin ever bullies you, tell on him.”

“Okay, but Auntie, Jiang Qin never bullies me.”

After listening, Yuan Youqin glanced at Jiang Qin, thinking, what did this silly girl see in her goofy son? She only had eyes for his best traits.

As they finished the dumplings, they began loading their luggage into the car, with Uncle Gong arriving promptly, the sedan with the little gold figurines parked at the residential complex’s entrance.

Guo Zihang and Yang Shuan came hopping, looking to hitch a ride, but ended up in the following Rolls Royce, unable to tell if they were being disdained or valued.

Soon, they said their farewells to Jiang’s parents and set off on their return journey.

“Little rich girl, where’s your bracelet?”

“I put it away after New Year, afraid I’d damage it.”

The heater inside the car was cranked up, and Feng Nanshu, wearing a tight black sweater, fastened her seatbelt, outlining a curvaceous silhouette that was beyond grasp.

Using the chance at the highway toll booth, Jiang Qin sneaked several glances, feeling a dry mouth, thinking, ‘A best friend’s lethality is too great.’

“Maybe you should give back the bracelet to my mom; we still need it as a family heirloom.”

Taking the highway card, Jiang Qin rolled up the window, drove up the ramp and grew increasingly bored of the trip, wanting to provoke her.

Feng Nanshu glanced at him, her eyes suddenly brimming with tears, “Auntie said you shouldn’t bully me. I’ll cry if you keep this up.”

“But that bracelet is meant to be a family heirloom.”

“Auntie passed it to me.”

Jiang Qin pouted, “So you’re not giving it back?”

Feng Nanshu nodded seriously, “No, it’s mine now.”

“Actually, the quality of mom’s bracelet isn’t that great; it’s got many flaws and isn’t very clear. How about I buy you a better one when I make big money? As clear as glass.”

“I don’t want a better one. I want this one.”

Jiang Qin couldn’t help but laugh, his cheer evident as they sped along the highway for the next two hours.

As they exited Linchuan’s highway, Yang Shuan was the first to get out, followed by Guo Zihang. Guo stepped out of the Rolls Royce, his chest puffed up as if he could set a table on it, strutting arrogantly. Before entering the university gates, a security guard even saluted him.

Soon, the trio, split into two cars, arrived at Linchuan University. They separated at the pedestrian street; Uncle Gong headed to the residential area across the street, while Jiang Qin drove into the campus.

Arriving a day early, Jiang Qin thought the campus would be nearly empty, but as he pulled up outside the girls’ dorm, a fervent learner awaited with a bowl in hand.

“Where’s the heirloom?”

Jiang Qin, stunned, asked, “How did you know?”

Gao Wenhui had rounded out over the New Year: “Uncle Gong is our most active group member. We survived the holidays because of him. Come on, show it to me.”

“I was worried about damaging it, so I didn’t bring it,” Feng Nanshu said softly.

Gao Wenhui, slightly disappointed, “Jiang Qin, can I come to your place next New Year?”

“Get lost. You’d really do anything for sweets. Hurry up and gather your things. I can’t wait to start making money at the front square.”

“It’s already opened. I’ve got a part-timer watching over it. Forget it, I’m taking Feng Nanshu away now.”

Gao Wenhui, helping with the luggage, whisked Feng Nanshu upstairs, ready for some grueling questioning and second-hand sweets.

Jiang Qin watched them ascend then drove back to the male dorm, where he found Cao Guangyu.

Young Master Cao had also filled out, glowing and clad in brand-name attire, fidgeting with a smartphone. Seeing Jiang Qin return, he immediately placed the phone on his desk.

“Look, a smartphone, HTC, Android system. Do you know what Android is? Symbian is a joke compared to this!”

Jiang Qin, rolling up his sleeve to reveal his watch, “Look, a Patek Philippe, worth hundreds of thousands. Do you know what a Patek Philippe is?”

Cao Guangyu: “……”