Chapter 439: Campus Interviews

Zhang Boqing has always been great at promotion, never missing a chance to use President Jiang’s deeds to boost the school’s image.

Thus, Linchuan University students have been under Jiang Qin’s spotlight for years.

They’ve truly seen Zhihu expand nationwide step by step, witnessed group-buy rise to the forefront, and observed Linchuan University’s score line shoot up.

This made many students realize their mediocrity early, as well as the disparities among people.

Some recruiting stats agencies report that in the past two years, Linchuan graduates have become more humble and polite with lofty aspirations, making them favorites in the job market.

“Another news piece about Jiang Qin?”

“Yeah, heard that group-buy has started serving the Shanghai market.”

“Not just Shanghai; many second and third-tier cities have group-buy now. My childhood friend, studying in Xijing, always uses it when dining out.”

“True, I went home recently and found out Tianjin also has group-buy.”

“That’s really fast, isn’t it? I remember group-buy just started incubating the year before last.”

“The service quality is good though. Just a few days ago, I had a friend in Shanghai buy a phone through group-buy. Nowadays, even Taobao has fakes, but group-buy tight selection has never been caught selling a fake.”

“Hey, do you think this still counts as a college student start-up project?”

These days, whenever mentioning college student start-up projects, Linchuan students can’t help but give each other knowing looks.

Group-buy and Zhihu are indeed projects incubated from Linchuan University’s entrepreneurship base, everyone knows this.

Many have even interviewed at Room 208 and seen the small office filled with desks.

Normally, college start-ups don’t have a chance to venture beyond campus, and if they do, they don’t end up well.

Colleges naturally create business barriers, protecting student entrepreneurs with minimal competition.

But how complex is the market outside? It’s practically eat or be eaten.

After all, college students haven’t faced the harsh realities of society. Once they step out, they’re overwhelmed, let alone expanding their business.

Who would have thought group-buy and Zhihu would march out confidently, even stirring up the national market?

Such a college student project is outrageous, seemingly without limits.

If one day, news reports that Zhihu became a necessity for all colleges in the US, and one could buy an AK47 on group-buy, they wouldn’t be surprised at all.

Of course, what Linchuan students focus on isn’t just Zhihu and group-buy, but also those who part-time at 208.

They are seniors from various departments, well-known around campus.

Three years ago, everyone was just ordinary college students, greeting each other freely and joking harmlessly.

Now, however, the difference between these individuals and others has changed dramatically.

Rumors have it that some from 208 are planning to buy houses in Linchuan; some say they’ve already bought them.

Furthermore, at this spring’s campus recruitment fair, local businesses said anyone with experience at group-buy or Zhihu could join them unconditionally.

“I heard Linchuan is planning to rebuild an entrepreneurship base, making student start-ups a key focus, investing lots of money, and inviting many start-up stars to lecture.”

“Really?”

“Yes, the architecture department is already planning for the incubation base.”

“Are they rebuilding it in the same place? That small building looks quite nice, especially for taking photos in the fall.”

“Rebuild? What are you thinking? That’s President Jiang’s foundation place. They’d demolish the dean’s office before touching that building.”

“That’s true. If a new entrepreneurship base is built later, that place might become an exhibition hall, displaying President Jiang’s photos for future juniors and seniors to visit.”

“Damn, his former residence? That’s seriously hitting it big.”

“Be careful with your words; if someone from 208 hears, they might just break your nose.”

The canteen buzzes, most tones mingled with envy and resentment.

Indeed, when something doesn’t directly affect you or is too distant, it doesn’t stir much emotion, but events this close are hard not to evoke such feelings.

Yet, some still feel indignant, like a certain Mr. Cao.

“This food is inedible now. He’s gone to Shanghai and still manages to annoy me from afar. Is there no justice?”

Cao Guangyu slammed the table, staring at Jiang Qin’s photo on the screen, growing angrier as he looked.

At that moment, Ren Ziqiang and Zhou Chao were watching Zhuang Chen cosplaying a traffic light nearby, their faces turning red and green. Hearing Mr. Cao, they quickly turned to look.

“Brother Cao, not used to it yet?”

“Can’t get used to it at all!”

Ren Ziqiang pondered for a moment: “You’re a second-generation rich kid, with a solid background. You could start your own business too.”

Cao Guangyu turned to look at Zhuang Chen next door: “Then end up like him, finding no matter which path I take, it leads back to old Jiang? I’m not that foolish!”

“Let’s not talk about Zhuang Chen; he’s quite pitiful. I want to donate every time I see him.”

Zhuang Chen was holding an iPhone 4, listening to girls nearby calling another guy a heartthrob, standing there dumbfounded, a sight so sad it could make listeners weep.

Cao Guangyu pushed a chicken leg towards Zhou Chao: “Chao, want some? I’ve lost my appetite.”

Zhou Chao squinted: “I refuse. I’m on a diet, aiming for thinner lips!”

“Really? You think all that fat came from one meal? Besides, kissing isn’t all that great.”

“Don’t lie to me. Even Jiang’s tough lips couldn’t avoid those red ones.”

“Don’t mention Jiang Qin. I’m so unbalanced right now, I’ll bite anyone who does.”

Cao Guangyu grunted, picked up his tray, and headed to the recycling area then called everyone to head out, only to be blocked at the door.

Arriving were the campus reporters, one holding a camera, another a microphone, both zeroing in on Cao Guangyu.

“Are you Jiang Qin’s roommate?”

Ren Ziqiang and Zhou Chao held their breath, thinking the bite was coming.

My brother Cao is so aggravated by Jiang’s name alone, and they dare to interview him? Have they never been bitten by a rich kid before?

Unexpectedly, Cao Guangyu faced the camera, puffed out his chest: “Yes, I’m Jiang Qin’s roommate, Cao Guangyu, known as young master Cao, a rich second-generation from Hangcheng. Many of Jiang Qin’s business layouts actually include my advice and involvement…”

“…”

After the interview, young master Cao strutted off, waving his hand, heading towards the dorm with Ren Ziqiang and Zhou Chao.

The interviewing senior frowned, thinking to herself, this guy talks too much: “When we get back, tell A’liang to cut the middle part. Just keep the part where Jiang Qin often exercises in the dorm, goes to bed early and wakes early, spending any free time on start-ups.”

“Got it.”

The cameraman placed the camera down, rubbed his hands red from the cold, then tucked them into his pockets, cursively cursing that Cao young master.

Damn, I told him to talk for a few seconds, and he spoke for half an hour, nearly froze my hands off.

At that moment, the senior also turned off the microphone’s power and wrapped herself tightly in her down jacket, lost in thought as she looked at the snowy campus path.

Really, whether he’s a roommate or not doesn’t matter. She wanted to interview Jiang Qin’s rumored girlfriend, that girl named Feng Nanshu.

Jiang Qin wasn’t suddenly famous; ever since his freshman year when his identity as Zhihu’s boss was exposed, he’s been considered a heartthrob.

He’s the kind of wealthy guy who isn’t too arrogant, which you’d think would mean he’d have many girls around him; reportedly, the station’s current boss secretly likes him.

But strangely, Jiang Qin has never had a relationship rumor except with that legendary beauty from the finance school, supposedly the only woman recognized by 208 as the boss lady.

And Jiang Qin never denied it.

Everyone is quite curious about Jiang Qin, especially his love life, given that romance is a major topic of interest for college students.

“Let’s go.”

“Where to?”

“To finance school to stake out Jiang Qin’s girlfriend.”

The journalist network is well-connected, easily knowing who, where, and when someone is in a classroom.

Thus, the senior reporter and the cameraman headed straight for their destination.

Gao Wenhui was teasing Feng Nanshu at that moment, noticing her friend becoming colder since Jiang Qin left the school, her normally reserved face was just like a slice of chilly moonlight.

When the journalist team arrived at the finance school, Gao was the first to notice.

“Nanshu, there’s a reporter coming to interview Jiang Qin’s girlfriend. I thought he didn’t have one. Do you know who they’re talking about?”

“?”

Feng Nanshu stared blankly at the camera and microphone at the classroom door, then reached into her pocket and pulled out her boss lady badge, hanging it around her neck.

In fact, many at school already knew of Feng Nanshu’s presence and recognized her as the sole official boss lady of 208.

It was just showing up in public this was the first time.

In the evening, a campus interview played on the cafeteria TV, and her stunningly beautiful face instantly captivated many.

She looked frosty yet graceful, her eyes lively and moist, her features refined and alluring, calling Jiang Qin “brother.”

After this scene aired, the male comrades in the cafeteria instantly wanted to curse. Damn, it’s fine that Jiang Qin is big in business, but why does his girlfriend have to be so beautiful?

Yet in the interview segment, Feng Nanshu stubbornly maintained they were just good friends, but the cameraman zoomed in on her badge, boldly labeled boss lady, making a concealing attempt that was rather endearing.

“Is this Jiang Qin’s girlfriend? It’s my first time seeing her in person.”

“I think they even attended the same high school.”

“Jiang Qin really is something…”

On screen, Feng Nanshu earnestly answered the host’s questions, talking about Jiang Qin’s daily habits, his likes, even his fondness for climbing trees.

Each time Jiang Qin’s name came up, viewers could see her eyes suddenly spark.

That was an enchanting expression, pure and unadulterated.

“Turns out, you really can tell someone is in love just by their eyes. I’ve already imagined thousands of words of a romance novel.”

“Damn, such a cold girl calls him brother? Is this Jiang Qin’s college routine?”

“She’s not even the campus beauty? Is there no justice?”

“The campus beauty contest is hosted by Zhihu; he wouldn’t let his darling participate. Don’t believe me? Try finding her name on Zhihu now.”

Meanwhile, young master Cao was sitting in the cafeteria, leaning against a heater waiting for his turn to appear, surrounded by Ren Ziqiang and others, including Ding Xue and her roommate, Wang Linlin and her roommate.

They had actually finished their meal but were forced by Cao Guangyu to stay; none were allowed to leave.

“Be patient a little longer. After Feng Nanshu, it should be my turn!”

As it turned out, young master Cao was right. After Feng Nanshu’s segment aired, it was his turn.

“I’m Jiang Qin’s roommate, my name is Cao Guangyu.”

“Jiang Qin’s daily life? He often exercises before and after sleep, hardly ever sleeps past eleven, and leaves the house around seven or eight in the morning.”

After two sentences, the scene cut to a beaming Professor Yan, who began recalling the first time he met Jiang Qin.

Cao Guangyu paused, his eyes widening. “That’s it? All my talk, and that’s all?”

Damn, I talked for a whole half hour, and that’s it?

“Am I discussing business strategies with Jiang Qin late at night? Yes, I’m a rich second generation but also keen on charity. Can these campus reporters be a bit more professional, damn it!”