Chapter 396: Never Underestimate the Young and Poor

On August 13th, the Suixin Group slowed their pace and held a mid-month meeting in Kyoto’s marketplace.

Besides Ye Ziqing, Zhou Zhenhao, and Cui Yiting, managers from various regions and heads of offline operations also attended the meeting.

After three months of hard work, not only did they manage a miraculous rebound, but they also secured funding to stabilize the market in Shanghai and even made a breakthrough in the Kyoto market. Everyone felt like they had survived a major crisis, and nothing could scare them anymore.

Zhou Zhenhao also felt a surge of ambition, even sitting with a newfound posture, his chest nearly resting on the table.

“Managers of all departments, report on the business situation in your areas.”

“Report to President Zhou, the Shanghai market is now stable with an approximate seventy percent market share, and other than the University Town, we have achieved control over everything.”

“What’s the situation in the University Town?” Zhou Zhenhao asked with a slight frown.

The manager of the Shanghai market showed a worried expression, “The area around University Town is quite complex. We tracked it for three days and found about nine websites heavily promoting there.”

“Why so many?”

“Indeed, nine companies and believe it or not, they all know martial arts.”

Zhou Zhenhao thought this sounded absurd, “No matter, University Town isn’t critical to our strategic deployment. Any other issues? How’s the consumer feedback?”

The after-sales manager stood up, his chest bursting with excitement, “Consumer feedback is very positive, and many migrant workers are using our website!”

“Nonsense, do migrant workers even use the internet?”

“President Zhou, it’s true. It was even in the news recently, take a look yourself.”

The after-sales manager called his secretary over and opened a local news article about migrant workers enjoying a buffet together.

Zhou Zhenhao took a while to read it and then burst into laughter, realizing they were attracting even migrant workers suggested that the Suixin Group had penetrated the Shanghai market to an unprecedented depth.

“However, several buffet restaurant owners have complained that the increase in migrant workers discourages regular customers and threatened to stop cooperating with us.”

“Alright, allocate some extra subsidies to these buffets to appease them. Has Manager Hu from the marketing department arrived?”

Manager Hu raised his hand, “President Zhou, I’m here.”

Zhou Zhenhao nodded, “The migrant workers buffet is an excellent PR material. Let’s make a major ad with a striking visual of migrant workers using Suixin Group, and post it everywhere.”

“Understood, President Zhou.”

Zhou Zhenhao nodded again then turned to Ye Ziqing, “Ziqing, you announce the next item.”

Ye Ziqing stood up, “Everyone, we’ve secured a second round of funding from Yuexiu Venture Capital, ten million dollars.”

Upon hearing this, thunderous applause broke out, and everyone’s faces beamed with excitement, all ready to tackle big challenges.

Riding on this momentum, Zhou Zhenhao spoke up, “Now with ample funds and a mature team, I propose we return to Shanghai and reclaim the market that should belong to us.”

“Shanghai?”

“Are we going to Shanghai?”

“Didn’t we sell the Shanghai merchant resources to Nuomi?”

The meeting buzzed with discussion, and Ye Ziqing was also surprised, not expecting Zhou Zhenhao to make such a sudden decision.

However, Zhou Zhenhao had his reasons which sounded quite rational.

“The Kyoto market is now penetrated, but due to restrictions from LaShou, we can’t fully capitalize yet. Yet, steadying our footing is the key victory, as starting is always the hardest part.”

“But the team responsible for Kyoto is now well-established with numerous staff. Zhou Zhenhao wouldn’t want them just waiting around, especially after narrowly winning this round.”

He was also troubled by their earlier decision to give up Shanghai’s merchant resources in a desperate move.

After weighing the pros and cons, Zhou Zhenhao proposed a development path during the meeting.

That is, to return to Shanghai and take back what was lost.

Inside, many team members felt the same, as being robbed doesn’t feel good. Retaking their territory would be a tremendous boost.

“Ziqing, what do you think of my suggestion?”

“Yielding Shanghai’s resources was a temporary measure. We’ve overcome the crisis, and taking back the market there is necessary. But isn’t this too soon?” countered Ye Ziqing.

Cui Yiting suddenly looked at Ye Ziqing, “The base of LaShou and Nuomi in Shanghai isn’t strong. It’s not very challenging.”

Zhou Zhenhao nodded, “Yiting is right. If we don’t act before our enemies grow stronger, we might regret it.”

“Then…”

“We’ll do as you suggest.”

Seeing that both Cui Yiting and Zhou Zhenhao agreed, Ye Ziqing no longer objected since they believed Shanghai’s market was rightfully theirs.

Cui Yiting looked up at Zhou Zhenhao, “Who will lead this time?”

Zhou Zhenhao, hands in pockets and looking out the window, said, “This time, I will lead the team personally.”

The meeting concluded, and the decision to return to Shanghai was officially passed with the date set for next Wednesday, the 18th of this month.

In the four days leading up to the departure, Zhou Zhenhao planned to strategize according to the characteristics of the Kyoto team and to identify a merchant resource entry point for a decisive move.

Meanwhile, Ye Ziqing returned to her apartment and began booking flights from Shanghai to Linchuan.

Cui Yiting glanced at her, “Why are you going back to Linchuan now?”

“I owe someone a meal from when I went to Linchuan for investment. Once we start in Shanghai, we’ll need to be in Shanghai, so I plan to pay back the meal now.”

“Is it the Jiang Qin you mentioned?”

“Yes,” nodded Ye Ziqing.

Actually, Jiang Qin mentioned returning the meal as a joke, and Ye Ziqing knew it was a jest.

Yet at this stage, she felt compelled to invite Jiang Qin for a meal.

Why?

Because of that remark, “You’re just a suitable forward, not a qualified leader.”

Ye Ziqing felt indignant hearing that at the time but didn’t have the capacity to retort since their team had just lost the entire Shanghai team.

But now, things were different. They had fought a tough battle and secured a second round of funding, so Ye Ziqing wanted to see whether Jiang Qin would feel embarrassed about his earlier rudeness.

In short, this was a meal signifying the turn of the tides, warning never to underestimate the young and poor.

Women, after all, excel in holding grudges.

“Can I come with you?” Cui Yiting suddenly asked.

Ye Ziqing was slightly startled, “You want to join as well?”

“Having heard so much about him and Liu Yin’s admiration, we even researched him when we were building the site. So I’m quite curious about him.”

“Let’s go together then.”

On August 14th, Ye Ziqing and Cui Yiting flew back to Linchuan to meet Jiang Qin for dinner.

The two dressed meticulously, one in a black evening gown and the other in a white one, their long hair draped over their shoulders, exuding an aura of metropolitan elite women, just short of being ‘little rich women.

They agreed to meet at the Longkai International Hotel, and Jiang Qin arrived casually dressed in shorts and a tee.

In fact, Jiang Qin had planned to return to Jizhou that evening since his work in various cities was done. What’s better than a few days of comfortable life at home?

But while reading the news, he stumbled upon an article stating that the Suixin Group had raised ten million, while LaShou raised twenty million and Nuomi also reached ten million just a few days after Suixin.

Before he could comprehend what this sudden wave of investments implied, Ye Ziqing’s call came in, so he immediately changed his flight ticket with one thought.

She’s here. She’s coming with insider information.

Because previously when Jiang Qin saw Ye Ziqing, he already declared, “You’re just a qualified forerunner but definitely not a leader.”

So he knew, once the third round of small capital wars moved to mid-stage and Ye Ziqing gained an advantage, she would definitely come back to invite him for this meal.

This meal only required him to keep a low profile, and Ye Ziqing would hint at the strategies for the next phases.

“Jiang, long time no see.”

“Ye, good to see you well.”

“Let me introduce you, this is Cui Yiting, my current partner. She used to be a student at Linchuan University, your senior.”

Jiang Qin gave Cui Yiting a look and found her quite attractive, definitely campus beauty material, “Nice to meet you, Senior Cui.”

“Hello, junior.” Cui Yiting also started sizing him up.

Honestly, Jiang Qin was far from her imagined image of him, just a typical university student look, hardly matching the strategic mastermind Liu Yin talked about.

Jiang Qin sat down, looking at Ye Ziqing, “Actually, inviting you for a meal last time was just a joke. I didn’t expect you took it seriously.”

“I’ve also been less busy recently and wanted to come back and see.”

“Less busy? But I heard the group-buying market is heating up with nine websites doing ground promotions in one university town alone. Such a crowded market and Suixin Group is actually free?”

Ye Ziqing held her wine glass with a slight smile, “We no longer participate in those minor disputes because they’re not worthwhile anymore. Our target now shifts to Shanghai, to take back what we lost.”

Jiang Qin paused, “Senior, you’re very shrewd.”

“I don’t just want to be an aggressive forward; I want to prove I’m a qualified leader. What do you think, junior?” Ye Ziqing lifted her lips.

Jiang Qin hurriedly praised, saying exactly, as if he’d completely forgotten it was he who said she wasn’t fit to lead, then they chatted about school.

Like Professor Yan called yesterday, saying his couch was chewed up by Fugui, and a roommate brought his girlfriend home, always bothering everyone in the QQ group, pretending so harmless as if he’s just a student not yet graduated.

By the time the meal ended, Ye Ziqing felt much more relaxed.

Nothing felt better than presenting real achievements to those who doubted her.

She would always remember the look in Jiang Qin’s eyes at that moment, a mix of embarrassment, nervousness, and concealment.

She had been bothered by Juixi Group’s failure for so long, and the reason was to prove her capabilities.

Jiang Qin’s initial skepticism was like a thorn in her heart, but now, she finally had a moment of triumph.

Cui Yiting felt greatly rewarded, internally commenting that college students were just that, wondering what magic Liu Yin saw in him.

Meanwhile, Jiang Qin drove away from Longkai, stopped by the roadside, and then called Tan Qing.

“Tell the ground staff in Shanghai University Town to stop hanging LaShou and Nuomi banners for a while. It could cause trouble.”

Tan Qing was puzzled, “There’s no one from LaShou or Nuomi in Shanghai, why would there be trouble?”

Jiang Qin spoke gravely, “It’s coming.”

“They’re coming to Shanghai?”

“Yes, eighty percent chance. Shanghai might be chaotic for a while. Don’t show yourselves. The Suixin Group is on the brink; remember, no matter how fierce the fight or how tempting the loot, never reach out.”

“Alright, boss.”

While Tan Qing didn’t know the reason, he quickly relayed the order to hold the fort and restrict entry or exit.

They were familiar with their boss’s style and trusted his decisions. Once he spoke, it was bound to happen—no second guessing needed.

This was always the way with Room 208.