Chapter 391: The Privileges of the Wealthy

After exam week in July, summer vacation arrived.

Cao Guangyu decided to take Ding Xue home to meet his parents, so he was excited all night and got up before dawn the next day, saying he couldn’t sleep and would wait for her downstairs at her dorm.

Though young master Cao spends his days showing off, he doesn’t have the bad traits of a typical rich second generation. In matters of the heart, he’s even more sincere than Ren Ziqiang.

Jiang Qin couldn’t return home as the group-buying market was booming, and he felt something was missing unless he checked in on the frontlines, which was also crucial for maintaining morale during direct confrontations later on.

So, he decided to personally visit the battlefield to experience the rapidly changing situation.

As a little gift to appease his mother, Feng Nanshu was immediately sent home to temporarily ease Yuan Youqin’s dissatisfaction with his absence during the holidays.

There’s no helping it; the little rich girl is too endearing, and no one in the old Jiang family could resist her charm.

Before leaving, Feng Nanshu clung to the car window asking Jiang Qin when he would come home, looking like a young wife waiting for her husband, softening his gaze.

“Wenhao, Xuemei, you guys go back later. Come with me to Shanghai tomorrow to check out the market. Xuemei, remember to bring your camera.”

“Okay, boss.”

“And Lanlan, give her a call to let her know we’re leaving tomorrow noon.”

“Understood.”

On July 2nd, noon, Jiang Qin with Dong Wenhao and Wei Lanlan arrived at Linchuan Airport. The headquarters of the group-buying division left Su Nai in charge, while the operations of the Golden Silkwood Fund and Linchuan Chamber of Commerce were left to Xu Yu and the tech genius Lai Cunqing.

Zhihu forum’s operations were handed over to Lu Feiyu, as currently, the main users are college students, and holding dual roles was no issue for him.

Since it was the summer holiday, there were many students at the airport, causing long and winding queues at the check-in gates.

Identity verification, ticketing, and check-in – online services weren’t as convenient back in 2010, inevitably causing congestion.

Consequently, people queued up closely together, creating a packed scene.

At that moment, Jiang Qin, wearing sunglasses, entered the airport lobby, surveyed the surroundings, and spotted a channel with the Linchuan Business Group logo, which he approached but hadn’t settled his step when he heard someone calling his name.

Turning his head, he saw Jian Chun, Song Qingqing, Zhuang Chen, Qi Qi, who once helped him dispose of trash, and her best friend Guan Wensi.

As they were from the same department and lived door-to-door in the dorm, Jian Chun and Qi Qi had planned to travel home together.

“You guys are heading home too?”

“Yes, where are you off to, our crush?”

“Just traveling around, scouting different markets to see where the money-making opportunities are.”

Meanwhile, Wei Lanlan waved over an airport staff member and presented the black identity card from the Linchuan Chamber of Commerce.

The airport then opened a direct passage to the VIP lounge and sent three robust young men to assist with their luggage.

Jiang Qin took a few steps, glanced at the long neighboring queue, hesitated for a moment, then waved, signaling Song Qingqing and the others to follow.

It was already hot in summer, and queuing was even more draining. They were despairing at the sight of the long line, but now, seeing Jiang Qin offering a way out, they quickly followed.

They initially thought Jiang Qin, with his capabilities, would take them through a VIP channel where it wasn’t crowded, allowing them to quickly complete the procedures.

However, they ended up in a large VIP room with sofas, air conditioning, a TV, a fridge, and a specially arranged tea room and resting area.

The five of them gaped, realizing only then, as Jiang Qin sat down and began reading documents, that this was their destination.

“What does this ‘Treasure of Women’ mean?” Zhuang Chen asked, looking at a painting on the wall somewhat puzzled.

Dong Wenhao chuckled: “It’s read from left to right as ‘Guests Feel at Home’. Relax, this is the exclusive VIP room of the Linchuan Chamber of Commerce. Feel free to sit.”

“……”

The five exchanged looks, wondering about ticket checking and check-in.

Among them, Qi Qi was flying out first, with her flight in an hour, but she hadn’t yet completed the necessary procedures.

At that moment, the lady who had brought them in began collecting their IDs, saying she would assist with their check-in, and called for a couple of trolleys, asking whether they wanted to check in or carry on their luggage.

Experiencing the VIP process, Jane Chun and Song Qingqing couldn’t help but take a deep breath, their eyes sparkling with excitement, while Zhuang Chen, watching his crush’s thrilled expression, felt unbearably sour.

Watching Jiang Qin stir up a storm at school, Zhuang Chen thought it was just luck, “I could do that too if I had the same luck!”

But seeing the social status Jiang Qin held outside drove Zhuang Chen to envy, jealousy, and hate.

In the student circle, no matter how big your actions or how loud your fame, you are still just a student. But the societal status Jiang Qin showcased was a significant mental shock to them.

Without Jiang Qin, they might still be queuing for tickets, then for check-in, and again for security.

But now, they could sit comfortably, drinking tea, enjoying the stark contrast in service.

【Do you think you can beat me in anything?】

Zhuang Chen couldn’t help but recall the last physical test when he frantically sprinted ahead, overtaking Jiang Qin to finish first, his excitement at the moment now feeling utterly foolish and slightly shameful.

What’s the use of running fast? That day Jane Chun didn’t even spare him a second glance.

But sitting in a plush sofa in a VIP lounge, getting help with the procedures, sipping tea — even he felt suffocated by the luxury, let alone Jane Chun and Song Qingqing, these relatively naïve college girls.

On the other hand, Qi Qi and Guan Wensi exchanged looks, feeling even more complex.

Qi Qi was renowned as the “Fish Queen”, a collector of outstanding boys, and Jiang Qin had once been one of her targets.

But it wasn’t until Jiang Qin appeared on the news that she realized how vast the gap between them was.

Today, experiencing Jiang Qin’s world firsthand, she realized the people and events he was involved with were beyond her reach.

Like just now, when that beautiful sister came to collect her ID, she was so nervous she almost dropped her ID into the couch.

“Is this… the joy of being wealthy?”

Guan Wensi stared at Jiang Qin for a long while before asking, unable to help herself.

She belonged to the type of college girl who was somewhat thoughtless, not really knowing what to say or not to say in public, speaking out whenever curious.

At the moment, Jiang Qin was reviewing a work report organized by Wen Jinrui. Hearing this, he couldn’t help but look up: “Of course not.”

“Then this place…”

“Linchuan’s municipal government has been actively seeking industrial transformation in recent years, hoping to keep up with the changes of the times, continuously improving the business environment to help local brands go beyond Linchuan. This lounge is prepared for those involved in industrial transformation.”

Jiang Qin put down the document: “This isn’t a privilege of the wealthy, but to ensure that entrepreneurs can be fully energized to seek new development paths for Linchuan, driving the regional economy to provide a better life for the people. You’re thinking is flawed, junior.”

“Ah, I see…” Guan Wensi couldn’t help but swallow nervously.

“Don’t think like that in the future, okay?”

“Got it, sorry, senior.”

Hearing this, Wei Lanlan, Lu Xuemei, and Dong Wenhao sitting next to Jiang Qin exchanged looks, feeling like they had learned something new.

Honestly, this VIP lounge exclusive to the Linchuan Chamber of Commerce, along with the business club in the western suburbs exclusive to them, indeed carries a notion of privilege.

But with the boss’s explanation, those who could accept this privilege instead became the pioneers of Linchuan, at the forefront of seeking new economic development channels.

In other words, they were charging ahead on the front lines. Is it too much to ask for some good food and a nice place?

Boss is boss…

Soon, someone came to inform Jiang Qin that it was time to board. He donned his sunglasses and left the VIP lounge with Wei Lanlan, Dong Wenhao, and Lu Xuemei.

Watching Jiang Qin’s retreating figure, the girls sitting on the sofa watched for a long while, as if watching a business drama like “Genesis”, feeling a strong urge to follow him.

“I’m planning to prepare for the postgraduate entrance exams.”

Zhuang Chen said, trying to pull the focus back to himself.

But the girls snapped back to reality, chatting about where Jiang Qin might go and what he would do, laughing and completely ignoring his statement.

Seeing this, Zhuang Chen felt exploded inside, overwhelmed with frustration, and pulled out his phone to open Zhang Guangfa’s QQ.

“Just now, at the airport, I ran into Jiang Qin, and he took me to a VIP lounge.”

“Jiang Qin is awesome!”

Zhuang Chen continued typing: “I feel like Jane Chun is enchanted by Jiang Qin. She’s starting to look down on me. I just told her I was preparing for the postgraduate exams, and she didn’t pay any attention.”

Zhang Guangfa replied quickly: “Normal. You used to say you wanted to start a business, and that’s been a year with nothing showing for it. Jane Chun probably knows you like to talk big.”

“Why are you so blunt?”

“Can’t help it. The train is damn crowded, and I’m feeling frustrated. Sorry if I’m being harsh.”

Watching Zhang Guangfa’s reply, Zhuang Chen, initially seeking comfort, now felt even more upset, shutting his eyes and wanting to ignore everyone.

During this process, he couldn’t help but put himself in Jiang Qin’s shoes, imagining walking with Jane Chun and the others into the VIP lounge, holding an English newspaper, reading it leisurely, the thrill bringing him to a cold sweat.