Chapter 419: The People of Suixin Group Scatter Like Autumn Leaves

After laying out the tasks for Wei Lanlan, Jiang Qin also took the chance while everyone was there to hold a meeting with the current strategic partnership brands of the Linchuan Business Group.

The initial rounds of marketing for Xihan Heqing were to follow Zhihu, using the university channel to cultivate the market, and then move to lower-tier cities

But this time, Boss Jiang suddenly changed the marketing path, asking them to prioritize second and third-tier cities and adding that eighty percent of the companies in the fourth and fifth rounds of partnerships were from other regions, sparking some suspicions.

Are we discriminating or being exclusionary?

Isn’t it a typical tactic to make a name in first-tier cities first?

The first three rounds of strategic marketing went so well, with major brands now blooming nationwide on this mature and stable path, so why not continue following it?

Especially since the first-tier city markets are booming with group buying business, isn’t moving to second and third-tier cities a bit baffling?

“What do you think?”

“I’m a bit hesitant.”

“That’s not what you said when you came here.”

“And we wouldn’t qualify for financing upfront…”

“Feels a bit like we’re guinea pigs, doesn’t it?”

There were many secretive whispers, but Jiang Qin didn’t explain specifically at the meeting.

These external companies actually have setups in second and third-tier cities, many of which are homegrown just like those in Linchuan, with similar developmental journeys.

Starting from here not only cuts costs but also makes doing business easier.

Because business is about networking—you introduce me to urban resources, I provide you with supply chains, and together things actually move faster than in first-tier cities.

Also, why the strategy to target second and third-tier cities ties into the later group-buying strategic plans can’t be disclosed in advance.

A crucial fact is the local brands of Linchuan were built step by step with Jiang Qin, but that’s not the case with these external brands—thus the trust and cohesion among them are not strong.

Despite being bound by strategic contracts, Jiang Qin does not wish his homegrown brands to be unaligned with his heart.

So, it boils down to a matter of trust.

Are they willing to choose a new path of development?

This is sort of a preliminary screening of partners.

That day, five companies feeling a discord with Jiang Qin’s planning withdrew from the strategic partnership.

The remaining partner brands began to layout at the peripheries of Xihan Heqing’s managed commercial districts under Wei Lanlan’s direction.

“The trend has set, the trend has indeed set!”

Standing in front of the Group-Buy Building’s fountain, Jiang Qin watched his reflection in the water, moved almost to tears by the image reflected in the shimmering water.

Meanwhile, the headquarters of the Shanghai-based Suixin Group, which they had rented for five years, was now half empty.

On-site, computers, printers, water coolers, and vertical air conditioning units had all vanished, leaving only some documents of no worth scattered on the floor, signaling a quiet and silent end.

At this moment, Ye Ziqing stared out of the window into the dark night, remaining silent for a long time, her face revealing no emotion.

Lately, most of the management team from Lashou Network and Nuomi had already left Shanghai, leaving behind only a team for market management; it was a perfect time for a counterattack, but they were out of money.

In fact, since Lashou Network and Nuomi joined forces in the Shanghai market, they had been abandoned by the capital market.

After two rounds of funding, not only had they failed to carve out new business territories, but they had also lost much of their original market—a scenario no capital would want to waste more time on.

Now, the market shares of 24Coupon and Wowo Network far surpassed those of Suixin Group, even foreign sites like FullSeating Network surpassed them; even those cultivating the market would only choose stronger players.

Looking back on these wild seven months, where did they lose?

They had risen to prominence in Shanghai at the start of the year—unstoppable, aware competitors would emerge but not expecting them so soon.

Within five days, Lashou Network launched, blocking their expansion into Kyoto.

Suixin Group’s development plan was immediately disrupted, forcing them to move south to Shanghai.

But the team size had expanded rapidly due to market growth, leading to unclear power distributions, chaotic management models, and delayed information—it was only the day after the head of their Shanghai branch was poached that they found out.

By then, the hard-won Shanghai market had completely collapsed.

Subsequently, in a bid for survival, they sold merchant resources to Nuomi, spurring Nuomi to move south to Shanghai and restrain Lashou, buying time for financing and stabilizing the market again.

If the previous steps were wrong, then this move definitely put Suixin Group back on track.

But unknown to them, their next decision would be a mistake.

Zhou Zhenhao led a team south to Shanghai, aiming to redeem themselves; instead, old friends and arch-rivals joined forces, turning their guns back and shattering their operations in Shanghai. Faced with a two-against-one situation, they had no more chances to err.

In this cash-burn industry, if you can’t secure funding, that’s akin to a death sentence.

“This isn’t how national markets operate…”

“Big sis, do you want to be a sheep or a pig?”

Ye Ziqing chuckled lightly, pulled off her pen cap, and signed her name on the acquisition agreement laid before her.

Although the current valuation of Suixin Group had been slashed in half, thankfully, the industry was still hot. They packaged their business and team for sale, and with financial support from their families, they barely made it ashore.

Being a rich second generation, they always had a safety net, otherwise everyone wouldn’t have started so aggressively. That’s the benefit of having someone to catch you.

“Ziqing, have you signed it yet?”

“Yeah, it’s done.”

Zhou Zhenhao, hands in his pockets, looked at her: “Shall we go out for a meal then?”

Cui Yiting appeared behind him: “A farewell meal.”

“Sure.”

In a quiet Japanese restaurant in Jing’an, Ye Ziqing, Zhou Zhenhao, and Cui Yiting sat quietly on the tatami, eating in silence. Though their faces were calm, they harbored feelings no one could fathom.

It felt like a dream that started beautifully but turned into a nightmare midway. Now that the dream was over, besides the painful feeling of loss, the three felt an inexplicable relief.

“I’m going to Lashou Network.”

“?”

Zhou Zhenhao suddenly put down his chopsticks: “Kang Jingtao called me the day before yesterday, asking if I wanted to join them as a market manager. They are now expanding into second and third-tier cities and urgently need people.”

Ye Ziqing looked at him puzzled: “Your family is quite prominent, and you’d be willing to be just a market manager?”

“It’s not about the money. After being in this industry for so long, I just want to witness the final victor.”

“You chose Lashou Network because you think they’ll be the ultimate winner?”

Before Zhou could reply, Cui Yiting spoke up first: “Lashou Network currently has the biggest advantage. Who else if not them?”

Ye Ziqing turned to Cui Yiting: “Are you also planning to join Lashou?”

Cui Yiting nodded: “Zhenhao and I share the same view. After all this, we deserve to see the winner with our own eyes. Ziqing, didn’t you get a call?”

“I did, but…I turned it down.”

Ye Ziqing tucked her hair behind her ear, lifted her cup of sake and took a sip: “After Jiuhui Web collapsed, I’ve always felt it wasn’t my fault. But during my time with Suixin Group, I realized I truly lack the capability to lead.”

Cui Yitinpaused her chopsticks: “There are many factors to failure, Ziqing, you shouldn’t put all the pressure on yourself. Jiang Qin is just being armchair critic.”

“But I’m turning thirty next month. Shouldn’t a thirty-year-old be brave enough to admit they’re just mediocre?”

“…”

“I’m returning to Linchuan. I won’t touch group buying ever again.”

Ye Ziqing wiped her mouth, “Oh right, about dispersing the customer service center, it’s such a pity. How about I take it over?”

Zhou Zhenhao and Cui Yiting exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.

The next day, early in the morning, Zhou Zhenhao and Cui Yiting took an early flight to Kyoto to join the big gathering at Lashou Network’s headquarters, attending the city managers’ conference.

The main topic of this meeting was the rapid arrangement in the second and third-tier cities and a tight defense against competitors.

At this stage, major group-buying websites realized that quick actions alone don’t guarantee victory, but stability ensures one doesn’t fall too badly.

Thus, Lashou Network made careful plans for future layouts, mainly aimed at Dianping and Nuomi Group.

Nuomi Group and Lashou have been old rivals. Though they have seemed unremarkable, their persistence suggests they have their strategies.

Although Dianping joined the fray later and didn’t post impressive achievements yet, the site has been in the lifestyle service since 2003. Its user base and loyalty are high, marking it a silent yet formidable competitor.

Such latent threats could be more dangerous than apparent adversaries.

After the conference, Zhou Zhenhao joined Luo Ping’s team. Luo Ping, the former city manager for the Kyoto market, was now deployed to spearhead the development in the second and third-tier markets.

Meanwhile, Cui Yiting was sent back to Shanghai.

Since the Shanghai market still faced competition, and Cui Yiting possessed extensive local experience, this position suited her perfectly.

At the same time, Ye Ziqing returned to Linchuan and met with Jiang Qin at Juxian Building to discuss the acquisition of the customer service center.

Now valueless in her hands, Jiang Qin quoted a low price, and they agreed effortlessly.

“Junior, if you focus on the university city market and stabilize it, you might really earn a hefty sum,” Ye Ziqing twirled her wine glass.

“But steer clear of the national market; it’s far too perilous there.”

Jiang Qin nodded, “Senior, have you paid attention to the group-buy market in second and third-tier cities?”

“No, back then, we were completely focused on the top-tier cities, had no energy to spare elsewhere. But we didn’t consider that sinking quickly into other tiers might have kept Suixin Group afloat.”

“Oh.”

Jiang Qin nodded, then packed the contract into his bag. After bidding farewell to Ye Ziqing and paying the bill at the front desk, he had just received his change when his phone beeped suddenly.

Checking it, a message from a group chat named ‘College Students’ Group-Buy Startups’, created during a previous industry conference by a college representative, Song Yaqian, was speaking.

“The acquisitions are signed, even fifty higher than expected.”

“Wow, fifty more? Congrats Yaqian sister!”

“Yaqian sister, you have to treat us to a meal now, I’m buying a ticket to Kyoto right away!”

Song Yaqian sent a smiley, then asked in the group, “What about you, Jiang Qin? Sold yours yet? I just happen to have a good project.”

Jiang Qin quickly replied, “Almost there.”

“I heard Suixin Group was also acquired. If you’re interested, I can introduce you to Manager Luo. He’s in charge of the Kyoto market now.”

Manager Luo mentioned by Song Yaqian is Luo Ping, Zhou Zhenhao’s current leader, handpicked by the Lashou Network’s owner to lead the charge.

Before leaving Kyoto, Luo Ping aimed to achieve a significant feat as, away from headquarters, he also worried that the owner might forget his hard work.

Thus, he was currently overseeing the acquisition of various miscellaneous group-buy businesses in the Kyoto market.

Among them was the Group-Buy considered just another among many but slightly larger than Yaqian’s HiBuy Group. Luo Ping had earlier reached out to the branch manager of Group-Buy, intending to seize this chance to scoop up the university city market and consolidate resources.

Unfortunately, he was ignored.

But he didn’t mind because for him, the resources of a university city were not as valuable as a business district or a residential area.

Little did Luo Ping know, his connection with Group-Buy wouldn’t end with his transfer; instead, it marked the beginning of something even more splendid.