Chapter 389: Second Edition of the Star of Learning

In the days that followed, Jiang Qin shifted his focus back to the immediate matters in Linchuan.

He started pushing the third round of brand marketing for the Linchuan Business Group, checking on projects of the Wanzhong Group and attending various meetings. He spent luxurious times with the top eight tycoons and occasionally attended classes to stay familiar with professors.

After all, the group-buying venture was growing, and these seasoned professors often offered the most reasonable advice within regulatory confines.

Jiang Qin wasn’t superhuman. Though he could manage the big picture, he often needed guidance on finer details to avoid overconfidence tied to his rebirth identity. Caution has been his path all along.

This is where he differs from Ye Ziqing. Ye Ziqing dared to rush in without the advantage of rebirth, which is quite admirable.

“Why don’t you consider doing your postgraduate studies with me after a couple of years?”

A professor who once called on Jiang Qin in class said this casually, but his expression wasn’t joking.

Regaining his composure, Jiang Qin responded with a bashful smile, “With my estranged familial ties and academic performance, qualifying for postgraduate studies itself is questionable.”

“You might not need to qualify. The school would clamor to keep you, especially Dean Zhang. He wouldn’t let you go easily.”

Leaving the professor’s office, Jiang Qin scratched his head, wondering if maintaining his enrollment without finding classrooms meant his academic safety was assured. Yet, he had indeed never failed a university course.

Never failing any subject in university—that tags him as a genuinely good student, easily earning others’ respect.

Smiling to himself, he headed toward the elevator but hadn’t even pressed a floor button when a call from Zhang Boiqing interrupted him.

On the phone, Dean Zhang asked him to come over for an important matter that needed discussion.

Thus, Jiang Qin returned halfway to the administration office.

“Get ready, and accompany me to the Guang Teaching Center. The second Star of Learning has been chosen, and as the inaugural star, you need to present her with the award. Let’s do the whole nine yards.”

“????”

Stunned, Jiang Qin wondered if this was really continuing, “The real Star of Learning or a pretend one?”

Dean Zhang glanced at him, “This award’s recipient is truly a Star of Learning. Let’s keep it low-key though. Just present the award and get a photo; no need for a big ceremony.”

“Why? This is the second edition of Linchuan University’s Star of Learning. We can’t just go through the motions!”

“You’re now a person of interest in Linchuan. Anything concerning you is newsworthy. I fear a reporter might catch wind and come asking for your transcript. What should I do then, give it to them or not?”

Jiang Qin acted as if directing criticism, “Dean, I sense there’s more to your words.”

Ignoring him, Dean Zhang continued, “Your academic performance is, well, hard to describe. But no worries. Once we reach the third or fourth edition, this award will be solidified, and your title as the first Star of Learning will be indisputable.”

“Will I be guaranteed a postgraduate spot?”

“You’re just in your sophomore year. Why the rush? You won’t be able to escape it when the time comes.”

After the discussion, Dean Zhang cleaned up, changed clothes, and took Jiang Qin to the Guang Teaching Center at the eastern campus.

Due to Jiang Qin’s influence, the Star of Learning could only be selected from the freshmen, as Jiang Qin himself had exploited his title during his first year. Thus, it became a special award exclusive to the newcomer group.

This year’s Star of Learning was a girl, the top student in the History department, involved in numerous activities, and had high credits—an indisputable Star of Learning.

Upon meeting Jiang Qin, the girl’s eyes sparkled. She mentioned how she had always taken him as a role model and was striving to improve herself, causing Jiang Qin to blush.

If you consider me a role model and managed to become the Star of Learning, that’s really something.

But seeing her clear eyes, he didn’t have the heart to say that the existence of this award was more surprising than a female university student suddenly getting pregnant.

They then took a photo together, with Jiang Qin presenting the Star of Learning trophy to the girl. As the new and former stars completed the handover, he realized he felt more justified in using the term Star of Learning.

“Recently, quite a few of your employees have been submitting applications for off-campus internships. What’s going on?”

“Nothing much, just some trivial actions.”

“I knew you couldn’t stay idle long. They said you’ve been attending classes lately, which I didn’t believe, until I saw you heading to the academic building. It seems there’s a monster wherever there’s an anomaly,” Dean Zhang remarked, looking quite smug.

Jiang Qin stood with hands on hips, “I’ve indeed been too idle these past six months, feeling itchy all over. Got to do something, or it feels uncomfortable.”

“If bored, you could bring your girlfriend over to play chess with me. I’ve been craving a game.”

“I said I’ve been idle out of modesty. In reality, I’ve been working hard. Otherwise, what about our grand villas? What if a big storm comes?”

Confused, Dean Zhang asked, “Why grand villas? Who else is involved?”

Jiang Qin glanced at him, “Professor Yan is involved too.”

“Really? How come Professor Yan’s standards are dropping? He used to stand firm against taking even a slight advantage from others.”

“…”

Jiang Qin looked up at the sun, thinking that Professor Yan would only dare discuss the grand villa matters secretly in room 207. Here you are, almost shouting it out under broad daylight. Who’s really lowering their standards?

After chit-chatting for a while, Dean Zhang patted his stomach, feeling rather hungry. He asked if Jiang Qin wanted to eat at the staff canteen, noting the food there was several notches above the student cafeteria.

How could he say no to a free meal? Jiang Qin couldn’t resist something for nothing. Not even leaving money on the ground stopped him from taking advantage.

Before he agreed, little rich girl messaged, “Brother, are you also a bit_busy_today?”

Jiang Qin glanced at Dean Zhang, “Let me finish up this batch first. Then, the two of us can go out for something fancy.”

“Eh, you’re turning down a meal? That’s not like you.”

“Does Dean Zhang actually have a bit of Stockholm syndrome? Feels uncomfortable not being tricked.”

Jiang Qin thought to himself but still declined the invitation and went to the girl’s dorm to take Feng Nanshu out for a meal.

She had been well-behaved lately, knowing he was busy, never insisting on going out unless she really couldn’t bear it, subtly hinting she was free for an outing.

Initially, he thought her circuitous way of speaking was just for fun, given her wealthy background.

But after learning about Feng Nanshu’s family issues, he realized this was her way of protecting herself.

Being left behind twice probably made her fear being a nuisance or delaying important matters, so each time he mentioned being busy, there was a probing tone in her words.

“Not_busy_today. Kind of feel like treating someone to dinner.”

“Can I come?”

“Sure, I’ll wait for you at the entrance of Cafeteria Two.”

Soon after, Feng Nanshu, Gao Wenhui, and Wang Haini arrived, immediately asking if “Boss Jiang” felt like treating people to dinner today.

Jiang Qin thought, just as expected. They all came sniffing around. Freebies are indeed irresistible.

However, once at the cafeteria and after ordering, his phone rang, prompting him to hand his wallet to little rich girl before stepping aside to take a quiet call.

It was Tan Qing. Lashou Network had just secured five million US dollars in funding and was now battling Suixin Group in Kyoto. Meanwhile, Nuomi Group had received ten million US dollars, injecting fierce competition into the Shanghai market.

Some said, in market competition, if you can’t spend money, you’re no better than trash.

This signaled that smaller capital rounds had entered direct confrontations, with hidden players intensifying the battle. The coming period would see more capital injections, and a single misstep could mean early elimination.

Jiang Qin advised Tan Qing to hold firm and then ended the call, slipping his phone back into his pocket, and returned to his table.

By then, Feng Nanshu, Gao Wenhui, and Wang Haini had finished ordering, each bearing a different expression as they eyed Jiang Qin’s wallet.

“What’s… this?”

Little rich girl pointed to the elf blocker inside, placed backwards so only the logo on the packaging was visible.

Wang Haini pursed her lips, “It’s a tool for your protection.”

“?”

“Put simply, as long as you have it, you can freely hang out with Jiang Qin!”

Feng Nanshu looked confused for a moment, not understanding the principle, but vaguely nodded, “Sounds like a good thing.”

Gao Wenhui paused, “That’s not right. This is obviously meant to tease Nanshu.”

“Well… that’s not entirely wrong.”

Feng Nanshu shook her head, “Jiang Qin won’t tease me.”

Gao Wenhui hesitated_then whispered, “This kind of teasing isn’t necessarily bad. It… can be very good.”

“You all speak so strangely.”

At that moment, Jiang Qin returned, spotted his wallet, and immediately grabbed it back, stuffing it into his pocket.

Feng Nanshu looked up at him, her eyes moist, “Jiang Qin, how do you manage to protect and tease me at the same time?”

“Damn, what have you all been teaching her?”

“We haven’t taught anything messy, just a bit of general knowledge. But why do you carry this around? You and Feng Nanshu haven’t even kissed, have you?”

Jiang Qin glanced at Gao Wenhui, “You’re quite lewd. I feel like I’m being corrupted by you!”

Feng Nanshu looked on, puzzled, feeling she was about to learn something interesting, and tugged at Jiang Qin, asking, “Brother, what is it really?”

“It’s just a phone case. Let’s eat. Be good and listen.”

“Then put it on and show me.”

Hearing this, Jiang Qin took a deep breath.

Here? Damn, although it’s thrilling, isn’t this a bit bold!

After all, little rich girl, you’re getting rather bold. Like Gao Wenhui said, you want to try this even before kissing? You’re academically brilliant, sure, but you can’t skip levels in everything.

Across the table, Gao Wenhui and Wang Haini giggled continuously, their expressions quite animated.

Despite Jiang Qin often appearing as a sophisticated big brother, making headlines, Feng Nanshu inadvertently flustered him regularly. These two really were like oil and water, each the perfect foil for the other.