Chapter 436: The Boss Has Gone to Visit Relatives

“Is Lashou Network’s market in Shanghai about to collapse?”

The group-buying market is now focusing on second and third-tier cities, and the speed of market expansion through group buying is unimaginably fast, to the extent that the entire breakout battle only ended when some people just heard the news.

How did LaShou suddenly lose such a large part of its core business district?

Did they not fight back, or did they lose the battle?

That group-buying company, what kind of background do they have to be so bizarre?

Thus, the details about group-buying’s entry into Shanghai started circulating in the circles, becoming a kind of nightmare around the winter solstice.

“It’s said their street promoters include martial arts champions and even retired special forces. They are tough as iron.”

“They planned half a year in advance, this website had set a fatal trap for every competitor while everyone else was burning through cash.”

“They made a gamble with the merchants…”

“By using the urban layouts of chain brands, they avoided direct conflicts, forming an encirclement…”

“Using second and third-tier markets to tie up the major sites’ capital movements, then they turned around and stole the first-tier markets…”

Never underestimate rumors, because a lot of them are closest to the original truth and are often altered by official announcements for benefits.

Gradually, the details of this market battle in Shanghai started getting filled in amongst various rumors.

“University Town’s Hibernation”

“Iron Army of Street Promotions”

“Chain Brands Food Festival”

“Half-Year Advanced Deep Cooperation Agreement”

After learning the whole story, many felt like they were struck by tensor reduction.

Especially those who were deeply involved, they put themselves in Robin’s perspective to carefully experience it all over again and opened their eyes only to break out in a cold sweat.

Most importantly, up to now, LaShou’s operational area in Shanghai continues to shrink, like sand slipping through their fingers the tighter they grasp.

This inevitably reminds people of the last moments of Suixin Group, which was also like this despite various efforts, users were still accelerating their departure.

“Hello Mr. Tan, I’m a reporter from the Economic Express, can I interview Mr. Jiang?”

“Uh… Sorry, my boss has gone to visit relatives.”

“It’s okay, I can come at any time, whenever Mr. Jiang has time.”

“…”

“Hello, I’d like to interview Mr. Jiang…”

“Our boss has gone to visit relatives.”

“…”

The fast-paced assault in Shanghai was nearing its end, and Jiang Qin also breathed a sigh of relief before bouncing off to Sheshan Manor as a guest.

After all, now that he was in Shanghai, where he had always been laying out plans without much spare time, it wouldn’t be proper not to visit his little rich girl’s aunts and uncles at this steady juncture.

These were respectable and lovable older relatives who even gifted him a large gold watch.

Even if he and Feng Nanshu weren’t the closest of friends, by all accounts he should pay them a visit.

At 11:30 AM, Jiang Qin drove to the villa, where Feng Shihua was practicing calligraphy. Hearing the car, he immediately put down his brush and saw Jiang Qin coming in with gifts.

“What the fuck? Uncle, such elegant words!”

Jiang Qin looked at the still-wet marks on the paper, his eyes showing honest admiration.

Feng Shihua’s mouth twitched, “It’s called ‘Spring Pond’s Charm’, from ‘Lushan Ballad’, meaning as winter ends and spring arrives, flowers bloom by the pond.”

Jiang Qin suddenly realized, “Now that you mention it, it does look like it!”

“Don’t change the subject, you rascal. It’s been half a month since you came to Shanghai, and only now you come to see me and your aunt?”

“Uncle, it’s a misunderstanding! I was supposed to come on the winter solstice. The gifts were even ready, but I had a load of work then and had to postpone. I’ve been so upset I couldn’t sleep.”

Feng Shihua was very aware of the group-buying force’s strong entry in Shanghai and he and Qin Jingqiu had also been privately discussing it.

Every time they talked about Jiang Qin’s decisive actions, they were simultaneously shocked and full of praise.

They have met many talented young people in Shanghai, the ones with slick hair and who like to drop English words in conversation occasionally talking about international situations.

But what Jiang Qin showed had much more substance than those mere words.

This son-in-law was truly a gold mine.

Feng Shihua had said it before; even if Jiang Qin wasn’t the apple of their daughter Feng Nanshu’s eye, just a stranger, he’d likely help him out of admiration for his talent.

Indeed, his judgment wasn’t wrong and even exceeded expectations.

Just look at his actions over the last half a month; there wasn’t a single time he didn’t hit the bullseye. Beyond long-term planning, this takes strong leadership skills as maintaining a half-year plan isn’t something everyone can handle.

“Is the Shanghai market stable now?”

“It’s stabilized. Now everyone should understand I, Jiang Qin, am not just a showpiece.” he said, his face showing satisfaction.

Feng Shihua was making tea for Jiang Qin, didn’t catch the last part of his speech and asked again, “Are you still pushing forward in this market segment?”

Jiang Qin shook his head: “LaShou hasn’t given up the Shanghai market, just can’t spare the efforts now. But if I push them too hard, they might act desperately. We hit them too hard this time, they might give up second and third-tier cities to strike back at us.”

“Keeping some leverage for later consumption seems like a good, stable choice.”

“Yep, and this round has almost drained my resources entirely. I need to recoup before anything else.”

After hearing this, Feng Shihua turned to him, “How much do you need?”

Jiang Qin took a deep breath, internally remarking how bold the wealthy are, “No need for now, uncle. If I took your money, some might say I’m leveraging Feng Nanshu to get ahead.”

See? Clean!

Feng Shihua sighed a bit; he always felt Jiang Qin had a pure world in his heart, reserved for his own niece. What now? Hit the mark with one comment.

Wealthy families, due to beneficial dealings, receive too much familiarity and closeness. Too much of it can make one sick of it.

It had to be someone like Jiang Qin, who refuses even money, to make them sure that this closeness wasn’t mixed with too much self-interest.

Jiang Qin looked up at the living room, “Auntie?”

Feng Shihua pointed towards the kitchen, “She’s been cooking since morning, preparing a big meal.”

“Auntie’s cooking herself?”

“Isn’t it all because you were coming? Otherwise, would your auntie be this enthusiastic? Her cooking isn’t something just anyone can get to taste.”

Though Feng Shihua’s comment was somewhat sycophantic, it was quite apt.

Auntie was in charge of the investments in Shanghai, as well as Qin Real Estate; getting to eat her cooking was indeed special treatment not just anyone could receive.

Last time Jiang Qin visited, there were other guests, so their meal was prepared by Mrs. Wu, but this time it was just family. Qin Jingqiu insisted on cooking herself, so she had been busy since morning.

Seafood, chicken, duck, fish, the fragrance filled the cooking area.

Mrs. Wu was helping with the ingredients, managing the cooking times, busy and seemingly happy.

Except for Jiang Qin pretending nto know, everyone in the villa was aware that it was because the family’s son-in-law was visiting. After all these years, the wife hadn’t cooked for outsiders.

After hearing this, Jiang Qin headed to the kitchen and saw Qin Jingqiu wearing an apron, wielding a cooking spatula. It was indeed an unusual sight for a lady of her status.

“Auntie, long time no see.”

“You’re here?”

“Yep. Don’t bother making too many dishes. I’ll just have something simple.”

“How could that be okay? You barely visit once a year. If I don’t treat you well, Nanshu would have complaints. Here’s what, go sit in the living room. The food will be ready soon.”

Qin Jingqiu, still holding the spatula, couldn’t help but add, “Next time you’re on a business trip, bring Nanshu with you. Don’t always come alone. Otherwise, I might not welcome you next time.”

After hearing this, Jiang Qin touched his nose, thinking he was here to visit two respectable and lovable elders on his own. Yet, it kept sounding like he was being asked to bring his wife back to her family.

Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but recall the scenes of bringing the little rich girl home, her curling up on his couch watching TV, and her tagging along behind him.

Ah, his mom was the same.

Ever since the little rich girl entered their home, there weren’t even red packets during the New Year anymore.

“What did your mom say when you brought back Nanshu’s childhood photos last time?”

“She’s addicted. She asks every day if there are more, but I only let her see one a day. It serves her right for not letting me watch Dragon Fighter when I was in primary school.”

Jiang Qin’s eyes were nostalgic: “Back then, we still had the big-butt TVs. I couldn’t sneak a watch while she was not home. She would know I watched TV just by touching it.”

Soon, the steaming dishes were served, and the three chatted while eating, mainly about Jiang Qin’s business and Feng Nanshu.

“Jiang Qin, how about buying a house in Shanghai?”

“Hmm?”

Qin Jingqiu served him a piece of rib: “I have a friend who’s developing a villa area. The location and environment are quite good. How about I reserve one for you?”

Hearing his wife’s words, Feng Shihua instantly paused his eating.

He knew his mother-in-law mentaltiy had kicked in again; she was already calculating getting Jiang Qin to buy his marriage home in Shanghai.

They had also booked a suite in that villa area so that the young couple could move in after their marriage, making it easy to drop by at any time, especially during festivals.

“You’ve been investing a lot in business recently, and you might not have much free cash. If you agree, I’ll reserve the villa for you in advance.”

A villa was nothing compared to Jiang Qin’s current worth, even in Shanghai. Qin Jingqiu said this not wanting Jiang Qin to refuse.

She wanted to offer it outright as a wedding gift, but felt it was too premature.

Let alone the progress of their relationship, Jiang Qin wasn’t even of legal age yet.

“Your aunt’s suggestion isn’t bad. Right now, real estate investment is hot. Buying a villa in Shanghai is definitely a stable investment in immovable property.”

Feng Shihua followed up on his wife’s words, the couple perfectly in sync.

Hearing this, Jiang Qin paused for a moment, thinking despite all his efforts and excellence, why did he still feel like he was about to be kept by the little rich girl?