Chapter 381: Jiang Qin’s Groundless Ventures

“Another group-buying site launched today.”

“How many are there now?”

“Thirteen in total, with three in Shanghai, one in Kyoto, and nine in other areas. Also, there’s news that a big site for lifestyle services, Dianping, is also entering the market.”

March 29th, Suixin Group’s Shanghai branch, in the meeting room.

Ye Ziqing, Zhou Zhenhao, and Cui Yiting were reviewing market feedback. The atmosphere was a bit tense.

They had planned to prepare in Kyoto by the end of March and then fully expand in the capital during early spring. However, they were caught off guard when a group-buying site named Lashou Network launched unexpectedly in Kyoto.

It’s like when you’re playing an adventure game and suddenly a boss appears on the wide road, blocking the way.

But encountering a boss isn’t a big deal. In business, competition is expected, and Ye Ziqing and others weren’t scared.

Suixin Group developed quickly and stationed early. Even if someone wanted to challenge them, wouldn’t they stand strong?

What about the boss? No matter how tough or skilled a boss is, the hero always wins in the end—no exceptions—so they weren’t too worried.

Yet, they never imagined that while dealing with a boss ahead, another group-buying site named Wowo had quietly rooted in Shanghai and signed up over a hundred merchants right under their noses.

After learning this, they had to retreat from Kyoto to first stabilize the Shanghai market.

Note that they only started in Shanghai in January, and in just three months, similar sites surged to three hundred.

Just in the top four first-tier cities, the number of group-buying sites had already exceeded a hundred.

Yes, competition on this track was inevitable, as others also had vision.

But who could imagine competitors growing by the dozens? It was overwhelming and beyond their expectations.

“My suggestion is to keep Manager Cai in Kyoto to continue business. Although slower, laying a good foundation can save us a lot of trouble after stabilizing Shanghai,” suggested Ye Ziqing.

“Hmm, Ziqing makes sense,” nodded Zhou Zhenhao in agreement.

Cui Yiting added, “In fact, stabilizing the Shanghai market doesn’t require us all. Ziqing, Zhenhao, you stay. I will head to Shanghai the day after tomorrow.”

“Okay, let’s tackle this on three fronts and focus on volume first.”

Hearing their conversation, Liu Yin, sitting at the corner of the meeting room, couldn’t help but raise her head and yawn.

She hadn’t joined Suixin Group but came under the guise of accompanying a friend. After all, Liu Yin wasn’t much interested in work but didn’t want to feel bored alone, so staying in Shanghai for a while seemed nice.

Besides, she did want to see if her father’s judgments were right.

From January to the end of March, in two months, she witnessed the rise of Suixin Group, each time hearing the trio exclaim how smoothly things were going, convinced they would win.

Now, the smoothly advancing Suixin Group finally faced its first storm.

“Lashou Network, Wowo, 24Coupon…”

“Look, although their discount rules and strengths vary, their website systems and models are just like ours. Shameless!” exclaimed Ye Ziqing.

Zhou Zhenhao was somewhat exasperated, repeatedly banging on the table: “I knew others would copy our site, but this is too similar, right? They’re blatantly copying us!”

Cui Yiting couldn’t help but chuckle lightly, “That’s how domestic competition is, really a bit unscrupulous.”

Hearing this, Liu Yin couldn’t resist responding, “That’s not yours to claim; you’re all just copying Jiang Qin.”

“…”

As her words fell, the room fell silent. Zhou Zhenhao and Cui Yiting glanced at her, then continued as if they’d heard nothing, each returning to their documents.

Seeing this, Liu Yin shook her head.

When Suixin Group first arrived in Shanghai, they boasted as the first domestic group-buying site. Back then, Liu Yin had told Ye Ziqing it was too much.

“Copying my uncle’s model and system is one thing, but to steal his first title too? Isn’t that bullying a lone senior?”

The three debated but ultimately decided to advertise as the first domestic group-buying site on TV because the title had enough promotional value.

Just look, deceivers deceive themselves into believing everything belongs to them.

Of course, Liu Yin wasn’t calling her friends deceivers; it was Zhou Zhenhao she found increasingly unpleasant.

“Yinyin.”

“Hmm?”

Ye Ziqing took a sip of coffee. “What’s Jiang Qin doing now?”

Hearing this, Zhou Zhenhao and Cui Yiting stopped and looked at Liu Yin again.

Zhou Zhenhao had said before that Jiang Qin was too young and lacked vision to see the bright future of group-buying.

This had made Ye Ziqing give up persuading Jiang Qin to continue group-buying and instead joined Suixin Group to carve out his own path.

But now, the situation has changed. Over three hundred group-buying websites had sprung up nationwide, each fiercely competing while also trying to steal territory, and the scene was as bustling as a world war.

They felt that under such circumstances, even if Jiang Qin was young and lacking vision, he must have realized the promising prospects of group-buying by now.

You may not know what happened earlier, but seeing others rushing makes you think there must be something valuable ahead, right?

Even if you don’t know what it is, following them surely can’t be wrong, right?

So, they thought when Jiang Qin saw hundreds of new group-buying sites appear overnight, he must be panicking, regretting missing the best opportunity, and perhaps now frantically planning to launch his own group-buying.

“I don’t know what he’s up to, but I can ask,” said Liu Yin as she took out her phone and logged into QQ.

After a moment, she looked up: “He says he’s in class and studying makes him happy.”

Zhou Zhenhao, Ye Ziqing, and Cui Yiting exchanged glances and chuckled, thinking how slow his reaction was. After all, he was just a college student.

Indeed, Jiang Qin was in class, and for the past month, he had nearly perfect attendance, to everyone’s disbelief.

From the king of skipping classes to suddenly attending all—wasn’t it like the sun rising from the west?

“Old Jiang, if there’s anything troubling you, share with your brothers to lighten the mood,” Cao Guangyu suggested with great care.

Jiang Qin turned to him: “I’m young, have millions to my name, and wear a Patek Philippe—what would I be troubled about?”

“Dammit, didn’t we agree not to provoke me!”

“Screw off, I’m a student. Does loving to study mean I’m troubled?”

As they were talking, the professor suddenly called on him: “Jiang Qin, answer this question.”

Jiang Qin confidently stood up: “Choose A.”

As he spoke, everyone turned to look, surprised at his brisk and straightforward answer.

The professor pursed his lips: “This isn’t a multiple-choice question. Sit down. The characteristic of interest rates as a monetary policy intermediary is strong controllability and measurability but weak resistance to disturbances. Pay attention in class.”

“Yes, Professor.”

Jiang Qin sat down with a smile on his face, thinking it didn’t matter if it wasn’t a multiple-choice question. What mattered was the courage to stand up and answer!

Zhuang Chen, sitting in the back right corner, couldn’t help but pout: “Everyone’s launching group-buying now. I heard there are over a hundred in Shanghai and Kyoto alone. Group-buying was quite impressive last year, but now it’s just rubbish.”

Jian Chun glanced at him: “And so?”

“It shows he’s all flash and no substance. Chun Chun, you may see him causing a stir in Linchuan and looking impressive, but once you look nationwide, he can’t even make it to the big stage.”

After saying this, Zhuang Chen added: “Real business is a game of capital. In the eyes of the real tycoons, Jiang Qin is just a guy selling insoles on the roadside. So I hope you don’t take his halo too seriously.”

“…”

After the noon class, Jiang Qin left the teaching building and headed to Entrepreneurship Base Room 208.

Professor Yan was waiting at the door of 208, playing with his chubby cat Fugui. As soon as he saw Jiang Qin, he immediately stood up.

“Jiang Qin, do you know there are now over three hundred group-buying sites in the country?”

Jiang Qin nodded: “I know, I’ve seen the news.”

Professor Yan looked at him: “You really don’t plan to continue group-buying?”

“This track is too costly. Look how fierce the competition is. I’m just an ordinary college student. If I try to keep up, there wouldn’t even be bones left.”

“So you’re satisfied with that?”

Jiang Qin scratched his head: “As long as I have enough to eat and drink, that’s fine. I’m more of a laid-back person. Many people want something, and I just don’t feel like competing.”

Professor Yan was silent for a moment before nodding: “That’s also good. Being content leads to happiness. Sigh…”

“Why the sigh, Professor?”

“I just think that with your skills and abilities, your achievements could be much more.”

Jiang Qin smiled: “Don’t I still have Zhihu?”

Professor Yan gave him a look: “Your forum is doing well, but unfortunately, it really lacks avenues for monetization. That’s the most regrettable part.”

“Don’t worry, Professor Yan, once I expand my operations a bit more, I’ll find an opportunity to take Zhihu public, and then our grand wealth is assured. Not missing your villa, of course.”

“I never said I wanted your villa!”

Jiang Qin paused: “Oh, this is Room 208. No wonder you’re being so principled.”

Professor Yan spat at him, then got up from his seat: “You little rascal, don’t drag me down your path!”

As Professor Yan left Room 208, Jiang Qin stood up to make some tea, tapping his fingers lightly on the table.