Chapter 384: Tea and Rice No Longer Appeal

As the May Day holiday approaches, the consumer market grows hotter; all major group-buying websites have gone wild fighting for an advantage.

But Pintuan, usually riding the wave, has taken a hit.

Starting in March, they laid groundwork in Shanghai and once stable, contemplated expanding to the capital. They encountered a blockade by Lashou and had to retreat southward to Shenzhen.

As soon as the Shenzhen market took off, their team was poached by Lashou.

Worse still, a group-buy entity named Nuomi emerged and targeted Shanghai, launching operations right under Pintuan’s nose.

Battle smoke may not yet billow, but skirmishes in group-buying occur at every turn.

To prevent worsening situations, several websites quickly adjusted their strategies, reorganized, and met head-on for another round of indistinguishable clashes.

Pintuan stayed out of the fray, appearing ghostly like. Drifting into second-tier cities, they swiftly harvested market share, keeping liquidity within controllable limits.

Elsewhere, Tan Qing already signed agreements with merchants near the university town, forming a blockade away from the main battlefield.

If Zhihu’s initial warm-up goes well, Pintuan could swiftly take root in multiple university towns of Shanghai.

Throughout this, Jiang Qin stationed himself in Room 208, overseeing and tweaking strategies to fortify Pintuan’s street campaign, barely finding time for personal chores.

Once a group-buy is launched, it’s hard to stop. If you don’t move, others will push you to proceed, explaining why these group-buy websites aggressively burn through resources.

“Boss, have some fruit, there’s also some cake.”

Jiang Qin yawned, “Just put it there. Not really hungry.”

Wen Jinrui still brought him two boxes of fruits, “Boss, don’t mind my prying, but you really should eat some.”

“Why?”

“Because the lady boss bought them. She rode her scooter here this morning, saw you were out, then left to attend classes. Gao Wenhui came with her and kept telling her skipping breakfast isn’t right.”

Jiang Qin paused briefly, then looked at the plastic boxes filled with vibrant strawberries and tempting cherries.

He had been too busy this month, only saw the little rich girl at the month’s start. Seemed like no encounters after that.

Pushing the keyboard aside, he thought, today let’s take it easy. Pyramids weren’t built in a day; time to take a break. Focusing too much on work misses these beautiful spring days.

Brain, reboot!

Click, click, click—brain rebooted successfully!

Inside his mind, Jiang Qin added sound effects, imagining a startup screen featuring the little rich girl.

By eleven noon in late April, temperatures rose noticeably. Although still technically spring, coats weren’t needed in Linchuan at midday.

Leaving the startup center, Jiang Qin walked toward the academic buildings along College Road, timing his arrival with class dismissals.

Huge numbers of students exited, some with backpacks, others clutching textbooks or meal cards, all heading to the cafeteria.

Soon, Feng Nanshu appeared outside the main hall, wearing a white hoodie and a high ponytail, looking cool and detached, with Gao Wenhui and Wang Haini in tow.

From a distance, Jiang Qin noted her 1.7 meters was truly slender, coupled with her expressionless demeanor, radiating a high-class aura.

Male students passing by couldn’t help stopping, staring in awe at her figure, yet none dared approach.

Jiang Qin thought to call out but swallowed his words, simply following behind somewhat like a lovelorn stalker to the cafeteria.

“Nanshu, what are we eating today?”

“I don’t know,” Feng Nanshu shook her head lightly.

After hearing this, Wang Haini smirked, “Sounds like neither tea nor rice appeals to her.”

Feng Nanshu turned to Wang Haini, “I kind of miss Jiang Qin.”

“It shows, written all over your face. Can’t hide it. How long has it been?”

“It’s been 17 days.”

Wang Haini’s eyes widened, “You’re counting the days?”

Gao Wenhui sighed, “To be precise, it’s been 17 days and 12 hours.”

“Damn, you keep track too? You also like Jiang Qin? That’s not cool. Don’t covet a friend’s spouse.”

“No way, I remember because I’ve been hypoglycemic for exactly that long. My whole head’s spinning.”

Wang Haini looked at Feng Nanshu, “Shall we both go find him?”

Feng Nanshu shook her head coolly, “Jiang Qin is too busy. I need to behave.”

“Let’s order something then. Can’t see your husband but you gotta eat. Wenhui, want some sweets?”

Gao Wenhui immediately refused, “No thanks. My hypoglycemia isn’t something sweets can fix. Better get some meat. Can do without sugar, but not without meat.”

They talked while walking past various food windows, though couldn’t decide on anything.

Wang Haini, less burdened than Feng Nanshu, stopped at a stew vendor, lured by the appetizing smell, then turned to ask if they wanted some.

No sooner had she spoken, she noticed Feng Nanshu gazing dumbfounded toward the northwest, mouth slightly open and eyelashes trembling.

Gao Wenhui and Wang Haini, being shorter, could only see a crowd in that direction, were about to ask what she saw when Feng Nanshu’s eyes lit up and she suddenly ran out.

“What’s going on?”

Gao Wenhui, shading her eyes, peered toward the crowd, “Based on her speed, I think she’s spotted her husband.”

Wang Haini clicked her tongue, “Feng Nanshu really is a husband slave.”

“Don’t say that to her face.”

“Would she get mad? Nah, Nanshu is really easy-going.”

Gao Wenhui feigned depth, “She’d be thrilled and then insist we call her that daily.”

Wang Haini inhaled deeply, “That’s truly top-level husband servitude.”

Gao, being closest to Feng Nanshu, knew her well. From the speed, she could tell Feng Nanshu had seen Jiang Qin.

Even Feng Nanshu wasn’t sure if she had seen clearly, just felt he looked familiar as she turned her head, so she darted over. Once past the crowd, she indeed found Jiang Qin standing there.

The little rich girl ran over and lunged into his arms, her 1.7-meter frame nearly bringing him down.

“My big teddy bear, suddenly appearing…”

Jiang Qin held her, wrapping his arms around her slim waist, surprised, “How did you spot me?”

Feng Nanshu pointed to where she had stood, “Was just looking for something to eat, turned my head, and thought I saw you.”

“Been too busy lately, didn’t even have time to wash my clothes. Jinrui said you bought me fruit?”

The little rich girl nodded, “Just a bit.”

Jiang Qin pinched her face, feeling an indescribable fondness.

Stirring things up outside, so breathless, yet turning around to see that waiting beauty is quite intoxicating, like tiny claws scratching your heart.

He surveyed the food stalls, “What would you like to eat? I’m paying, choose anything.”

The little rich girl also looked around, “Want to eat everything, I’m suddenly very hungry.”

“…”

A while later, Jiang Qin squeezed out of the crowd with two trays loaded with various dishes, then the two found Gao Wenhui and Wang Haini in the midst of the cafeteria.

Seeing them approach, Gao Wenhui couldn’t help the excitement, “Sugar’s here, sugar’s here…”

Jiang Qin handed her a chicken leg, “Bought too much, can’t finish it all, here’s one for you.”

“?”

Gao Wenhui squinted, hesitating before touching it, “This chicken leg… isn’t going to be deducted from my salary, is it?”

Jiang Qin, face darkening, thought, who thinks like that? Am I that petty? Then he offered another leg to Wang Haini, ensuring fairness.

Gao Wenhui and Wang Haini then realized how much he had ordered; both were dumbfounded, “Jiang Qin, have you not eaten in three days?”

“I eat every meal. These aren’t for me; the little rich girl wanted them.”

“But didn’t Nanshu just say she wasn’t hungry?”

Feng Nanshu squinted, “I am now, feel like eating everything.”

Wang Haini silently thought, “Husband slave, husband slave, husband slave…”

Jiang Qin handed her a green bean, “Didn’t have breakfast, right? Don’t eat too much then, might upset your stomach. I’ll take you out for something nice tonight.”

“Not working today?”

“Taking the day off. This afternoon, I’ll take you for a bath, then a stroll, and dinner. How does that sound?”

Jiang Qin offered her a stir-fried pork dish, watching as Feng Nanshu nodded, took the bite, and her eyes twinkled.