Chapter 437: The Good Friend House

“There’s no need to rush. Take your time to think it over.”

Qin Jingqiu served him a bowl of borscht, “The group buying is developing so fast, you can’t possibly stay in Linchuan forever after graduation, and certainly not in Jizhou, right?”

Jiang Qin nodded as he took the soup, “I need to think it through.”

“After dinner, your uncle and I will take you to see it.”

“?????”

Jiang Qin held his breath, thinking, go after dinner? That’s not rushing? It’s a villa, not a big white cabbage.

But then again, buying a house is a must because, as Uncle Feng said, even if I don’t live there, it’s a solid investment.

Moreover, apart from a few resettlement houses in Jizhou, Jiang Qin didn’t own any valuable real estate.

Buying a home, although necessary in life, wasn’t in his immediate plans.

After all, he was just a junior in college, his career was taking off, and recent investments were significant. A house wasn’t essential for now. He was perfectly happy living in the dorm and could manage just fine on the sofa in Room 207.

However, house prices are set to skyrocket over the next 10 years, especially after 15 years, it’s going to be insane. Although villas aren’t as liquid as apartments, buying now would definitely be profitable.

Especially for a company owner. Using it as collateral is quite fitting.

As an ambitious career-minded man, and not just a pretty face, how could Jiang Qin accept semi-sponsorship?

Jiang Qin tearfully ate two bowls of rice then, at his aunt’s suggestion, toured a villa development her friend had developed…

“This location is among the best developed villa areas in recent years.”

“The three rows in the middle are independent houses, not far from the river, with open spaces and a great architectural style.”

“Look, there’s an international kindergarten next door.”

Qin Jingqiu took him to this villa area in Pudong District, a typical Italian style, not quite manor-level luxurious but very elegant and successfully Sinicized, with ample green spaces.

However, when she mentioned the kindergarten, all three of them got more excited.

Especially Qin Jingqiu who had mentioned it casually but, after speaking, couldn’t help but walk over.

Through the black fence, Jiang Qin saw several cute toddlers wandering around, bouncing along which inexplicably made his heart tremble, he quickly chanted a prayer.

The ability of this scene to pull him in was too strong; his mind even drifted to friends’ kids running all around, downright spooky.

Feng Shihua and Qin Jingqiu just smiled, saying nothing, yet it felt they said it all.

They didn’t spend much time looking at houses but rather happily watched the international kindergarten from outside the wall for over forty minutes.

Afterwards, the group went inside, toured around the circular internal road, and ended up at the back of the sales office in the model house, thoroughly inspecting the place.

The villa had four levels, well-planned and spacious but without feeling empty, the semi-open kitchen and dining area also followed recent trends.

“Jiang Qin, what do you think?”

“I looked closely with wide-open eyes.”

While they were talking, a group approached from the sales center of the villa area.

Leading them was a lady in professional attire, her suit crisp, stepping in seven-inch heels, her wristwatch looked expensive.

She was followed by several salesgirls, carrying folders, approaching with bright smiles.

“Jingqiu, what brings you here today?”

“Bringing business your way. Remember the apartment you reserved for me? I brought someone to see it.”

The speaking lady was Fu Hongmei, the developer’s wife and also Qin Jingqiu’s Mahjong friend who had come especially after receiving a call. She was surprised to see Jiang Qin.

So, she leaned toward Qin Jingqiu and whispered, asking who he was.

“My niece’s husband, a junior in the same college, they were classmates in high school too.”

“?”

Fu Hongmei was taken aback, thinking he was pretty ordinary but didn’t say it out loud.

Qin Jingqiu chuckled lightly, noticing her confusion, and said, “The owner of the group-buying company, a genuine self-made man.”

“Ah?”

Group buying had been making waves in Shanghai lately, even if not everyone was from the same social circle, most had heard a thing or two.

Especially those in the capital-intensive real estate sector, she had a fair understanding of this new group-buying industry.

However, the phrase ‘self-made man’ still left Fu Hongmei somewhat skeptical.

But Qin Jingqiu clearly stated she hadn’t helped him at all, adding that his business was just a college project that accidentally grew big, much to Fu Hongmei’s delight.

Soon, the group visited the villa specially reserved for Qin Jingqiu by Fu Hongmei.

The courtyard wasn’t large but the pool, garden, and outdoor reception area had it all, compact yet more secure than her aunt’s house, and right by the entrance on the right, a small two-story cottage.

“Sister Fu, what’s that used for?”

“Oh, the downstairs is a garage, upstairs is a maid’s room which can also be used for storage. But you can’t call me sister – it should be aunty since we’re different generations.”

Jiang Qin turned around, frowning slightly, “If it weren’t for being relatives, I’d feel awkward even calling her auntie in public. You both look as young as college girls.”

Fu Hongmei paused then chuckled, thinking this young man sure had a smooth way with compliments, flattering two people in one go.

Meanwhile, Jiang Qin stopped smiling and looked towards the small two-story in the yard.

“A separate maid’s room? For Gao Wenhui? Seriously?”

“……”

After finishing the tour, Fu Hongmei’s secretary handed Jiang Qin the keys, suggesting he stay a few days to try it out, and switch if it doesn’t suit.

Businesspeople are generally very shrewd. Knowing Qin Jingqiu was personally involved, she knew this deal was safe. After all, money is one thing, but face is more expensive.

Much later, Jiang Qin bid farewell to Uncle Feng and Aunt Feng, was driven back to the hotel by Qin Jingqiu’s driver, and spent the ride lost in thought, looking at the key in his hand.

What exactly happened?

Wasn’t I just visiting relatives today?

How come in the blink of an eye, I ended up buying a so-called ‘good friend house’?

Jiang Qin’s head was buzzing, muttering crazily that he now owned a ‘good friend house’, the more he thought, the weirder it felt.

Meanwhile, Robin and Yang Xueyu were discussing the Shanghai market, these new and old leaders taking their responsibilities in the handover quite seriously.

The stakes were handed over, but the business must go on.

Lashou Network was left to Yang Xueyu in a situation that required breaking through if not, the local market might not be salvageable.

“Outmaneuvering, we can’t compete, underhanded tricks, we’re even worse, their ground promotions are incredibly effective; every one of our points is virtually blocked.”

“Does that mean the task headquarters handed me is almost a no-win situation?”

Robin couldn’t help but laugh, thinking, if it weren’t a no-win situation, how could I have ended up like this.

Seeing Yang Xueyu silent, he couldn’t help feeling apprehensive, thinking to himself, is this really a no-win situation? It’s my first time in the company, but this is no way to treat someone.

“Don’t panic, Mr. Yang. It’s a no-win situation, but it’s not a definite loss. We still have a chance.”

Yang Xueyu’s lips twitched, “What’s the difference? Just missing a ‘definite’?”

“Not quite, we should look beyond the surface to grasp the essence. The group buying’s entry into Shanghai was overwhelming. What’s the secret? The key timing.”

Robin spoke slowly, “At this time, major websites were drained by second and third-tier markets, otherwise, he couldn’t have succeeded to this extent. In other words, group buying’s biggest weakness is not having enough funds, they can’t afford a direct confrontation with us.”

Yang Xueyu nodded after listening, “I understand that part, otherwise group buying wouldn’t have hidden for so long before emerging.”

“Correct, so the key to breaking through is still funds. Find a way to secure some funds, and this situation could be turned around in a moment.”

“……”

After a long discussion, Robin got up to leave: “The Shanghai market is now in your hands.”

Yang Xueyu sighed, “Adversity is also an opportunity. I hope I can make my mark here.”

“Hopefully.”

“Let me walk you out, Mr. Luo.”

Robin waved him off, “No need, Mr. Yang. You should focus on figuring out how to break through. The headquarters can’t help much now; the problem needs to be solved by you.”

He declined Yang Xueyu’s offer to accompany him walked out of the room, but before he reached the elevator, he ran into Jiang Qin holding a bunch of keys.

“Mr. Jiang?”

“Mr. Luo, not back to Kyoto yet?”

Robin looked at the young college student before him, still feeling uneasy, “Thanks to you, I’m about to head back.”

Jiang Qin clapped his hands, “That’s great. See you in Kyoto then!”

“?????”

“Just kidding, Mr. Luo, don’t be so nervous.”

Robin indeed felt nervous, suddenly realizing what if Jiang Qin had prepared the same tactics in Kyoto? That would be deadly.

Jiang Qin, seeing his expression, smiled, indeed, he had prepared the same tactics in Kyoto, but the effect likely wouldn’t match Shanghai’s.

LaShou’s headquarters was in Kyoto, more mobile, and more flexible with funds. If he attacked like this time, it might not be as effective.

He hinted at Robin mainly to intimidate him, also to throw a smokescreen for his next move.

At that moment, Robin noticed the key in his hand, which had a metal nameplate hanging from it.

Jiang Qin noticed his gaze and spoke, “Went out for a walk this afternoon, saw a pretty attractive villa’s servant house, so I bought a set.”

“……”

Robin’s eyes widened, couldn’t believe it, everyone else was scraping together funds, and he just casually bought a villa?

You group-buy folks, do you have money or not?

Finished, brother Xueyu, I spoke too soon, this isn’t just a no-win situation, it might be a definite loss!

He was about to rush back and tell Yang Xueyu, maybe you should quit, find a factory job, anything’s better than this, but then thought better of it.

If Yang Xueyu collapses, it might not be a bad thing for me.

Because this just goes to show, it’s not that I was incompetent, it’s that the competition was just too damn outrageous.