Chapter 474: Scalded by the Soup Again

A brief class took just five minutes. Two were spent looking at a job listing, leaving the remaining three during which Mr. Jiang still fell asleep.

People in the classroom had already started to leave. The large lecture hall quickly became empty.

At this moment, Feng Nanshu was neatly lying beside him, resting her cheek on her arm. Her bright eyes were fixed on Jiang Qin, her long curled lashes tinted colorful by the afternoon sun.

She quietly lay there for half a minute. The little rich girl suddenly stretched out a delicate finger and gently pressed it on Jiang Qin’s face. She pressed again and again without waking him but couldn’t bear to call out.

After about fifteen minutes, Jiang Qin woke from his sleep, wiped his drool, leaned back, and stretched lazily.

For some reason, sleeping in class always brought a comforting sense of having studied well, though he hadn’t caught a word. He felt that his schooling was worthwhile. Truly magical.

“Little rich girl, I’m really thirsty. Can I have a sip of your water?”

Feng Nanshu nodded and unscrewed the cap to hand it to him.

This was a couple’s cup bought one Christmas, pink and white intermingled with ‘Wifey’s water’ written inside.

Typically, opposite-sex friends shouldn’t share cups. It seems too intimate since cups go to the mouth. But after transcending friendship, Jiang Qin often experienced the taste of Little Rich Girl’s tongue. So the formalities didn’t matter much.

Jiang Qin took a few sips, finding the water sweet, softer than a kiss but intoxicating.

“Why is it so sweet? Did you sneak some sugar in it?”

“No sugar. Just plain water from the classroom dispenser.”

As Feng Nanshu spoke, she turned and pointed toward the water cooler at the back of the classroom. Her loose sweatshirt taut, revealing shapely, full curves.

After several looks, Jiang Qin felt thirsty again and went with the cup to the cooler to sample the water. It was still fragrant and sweet. Odd. Who added sugar to the water machine?

“Why is everyone gone after a nap? Did class end?”

Feng Nanshu turned and her eyes gleamed with excitement: “The next class was moved to the fifth floor. We skipped it.”

Jiang Qin holding the cup, stunned: “Why didn’t you go to class? You’re usually such a good student.”

“I know, but I’m a good friend first.”

“?”

As Jiang Qin returned from the water cooler, he reached out to pinch her rosy cheek, shaping her lips into an “O.”

The elegant and wealthy beauty sat sideways in her chair, allowing him to pinch her face gently like a silly cat. Yet, her gaze clung to him persistently.

The afternoon sun spilled through the window into the lecture hall, casting a beautiful mottled pattern; the scene was filled with the peaceful times of youth.

No wonder Chao strives every day to get in shape and wants a soft, sweet friend. Just such weather, this setting. Having a soft sweet friend alongside makes even doing nothing feel so comfortable.

“Here, have a sip.”

Feng Nanshu’s eyes brightened then she gently closed them.

Jiang Qin paused: “Here’s a sip of water, not a kiss.”

“Oh.”

The Little Rich Girl opened her eyes, moved closer, and took a sip of water with a goofy look on her face.

Jiang Qin noticed a drop of water at the corner of her mouth. He reached out to wipe it but couldn’t help moving his face closer and then lightly sucked on her sweet little mouth.

The sudden peck surprised the Little Rich Girl, then another and another…

Once started, some things just can’t stop.

Half an hour later, as the sun began to set, Jiang Qin walked out of the classroom with Feng Nanshu’s hand in his and casually swung by the office of Zhang Boiqing for a visit.

“Why are your lips so red?”

“Scalded by the soup.”

Jiang Qin replied nonchalantly.

Zhang Boiqing paused, thinking one scald was understandable but why would your girlfriend have one just the same?

He didn’t have much time to think as he was playing chess.

“Professor Yan, what are you doing in Dean Zhang’s office?”

“I’ve been flicking through Today’s Headlines in the office all day. My hemorrhoids are acting up, so I came out for a walk and ended up being dragged here to play chess.”

Professor Yan held his teacup waiting for Zhang Boiqing to make a move.

Ever since Room 208 moved to the Group-Buy Headquarters, the entrepreneurship base wasn’t as lively anymore, not even enough for a hot pot meal. Lonely for a long time, so Professor Yan began visiting around.

Jiang Qin had his unique rules for Go—linking five stones means winning. So he couldn’t understand the simple game Professor Yan played.

However, judging by Professor Yan’s calm demeanor and Zhang’s scratching desperation, it looked like Zhang was about to lose his shirt.

Right then, Dean Zhang shook his hand flamboyantly, and when Professor Yan looked down again, one of his pieces was missing.

“You stole one of my pieces.”

“Nonsense.” Zhang Boiqing asserted righteously.

Professor Yan reached into the chess box, took out a piece, and placed it back: “I remember it was here.”

Zhang Boiqing: “…”

Jiang Qin chuckled: “Skill not quite refined.”

Dean Zhang scrambled the chessboard: “This is pointless. I won’t play with you anymore. I’m playing with Jiang Qin’s girlfriend now. Move!”

“Flipping the table because you’re losing, no wonder you’re the dean.”

Then Feng Nanshu took over Professor Yan’s place and started cheering up Old Zhang, while Jiang Qin and the professor sat aside, drinking tea and chatting.

“Isn’t Group-Buy hot in the market now? It’s all turned into a mess. What made you start seeking night headlines, aiming for my behind?”

“In the mobile internet era, lots change. Old paths get new opportunities. I jumped on it first and will lay low in its later stages.”

Professor Yan lifted his teacup: “How’s the group-buy market?”

Jiang Qin yawned: “Still chaotic. At least for another month. I plan to use this time to carry out a reform to distribute some shares to key staff in preparation for listing.”

“Are you setting the stage for listing? Just don’t forget about our villas,” said Zhang.

Professor Yan turned to Zhang: “Dean, you really don’t act much like a role model. How can you lead the faculty like this?”

Zhang sneered: “As if you’re any better!”

“I am better. Did I mention my big birthday in June? Did I? Jiang Qin, did you hear me say it?”

Jiang Qin twitched his mouth: “I’ve heard it now. I shouldn’t have come knocking.”

Just then, Feng Nanshu suddenly dropped her piece: “Grandpa Dean, you won again.”

Zhang was overjoyed: “Now, this is chess! This is the kind of game that’s fun!”

Professor Yan frowned and moved closer to look: “Clearly, this girl let you win. You think you’re good? These two, one’s craftier than the other.”

Feng Nanshu narrowed her eyes: “Grandpa Yan, you’re a bit good and a bit naughty.”

At that moment, Jiang Qin approached Dean Zhang’s desk and picked up his meal card: “Dean, I’m hungry. Plus, I forgot my meal card. You once said you wanted to treat me to the staff canteen, right? Why not today?”

“Didn’t you just have soup? No meal?”

“What if I eat another meal?”

Feng Nanshu tilted her face up at Jiang Qin: “Another half-hour.”

Jiang Qin turned to his friend: “Your guilt is plain for anyone to see.”

“…”

As dusk fell, after their meal, Feng Nanshu was escorted back to her dorm. Then she locked herself in the bathroom on the balcony, busy with something.

Gao Wenhui had been reading a novel in bed, holding her pee for a long time. Finally, unable to hold it any longer, she got up to go to the bathroom but found the balcony door locked.

“Feng Nanshu, why did you lock it? I need to use the toilet!”

“Hold on a bit, Wenhui, I’ll send you a bonus…”

She wouldn’t let anyone know she’d peed her pants. Feng Nanshu rubbed and rubbed…

Early spring, March sped by in a rush, and the weather began to warm up.

The group-buy market remained tumultuous due to poaching. Yang Xueyu from Lashou Network was taken by Dianping. Not for money, nor an extra gain but because he didn’t want to face Group-Buy anymore.

Luckily, since Robin took over the Shanghai station, there wasn’t much chaos.

Even without a new manager, the chaos wouldn’t have been severe since Group-Buy had already bled the Shanghai market dry. Lashou and Nuomi were scrabbling for crumbs.

But one thing was clear—Dianping was making a move on Shanghai.

Everyone knew that the Shanghai market was a key battleground in the four major cities. The three-party scrap had made it highly complicated, and few wanted to touch it.

After all, the existing structure in Shanghai was set. Any new player would face the combined forces of the other three.

Dianping’s probe was almost like a pre-war provocation.

Lashou, backed by Alibaba, strutted arrogantly but still was no match for Dianping, backed by Tencent. Dianping’s reviews were genuinely good, and Tencent’s vast user base ensured everyone was watching the drama unfold.

Amidst this brewing storm, Group-Buy, which had emerged swiftly and then kept a low profile, was back in the spotlight.

Why? Industry insiders knew that although the Shanghai market was divided among Lashou, Nuomi, and Group-Buy, Group-Buy had long left others in the dust.

Dianping was set to enter Shanghai and start expanding. Group-Buy was bound to respond, but even Lashou, with a funding of three hundred million, was somewhat struggling against Dianping. How would Group-Buy, with only 180 million, defend its turf?

“President Luo, Jiang Qin has come to Shanghai.”

“When?”

“This afternoon.”

Since taking over the Shanghai station again, Robin had been monitoring Group-Buy’s movements. Hearing this news didn’t surprise him.

Dianping was a formidable foe. Jiang Qin’s presence wasn’t excessive, but in the face of sheer power, could one man influence the battle? He doubted it.

Today’s Headlines turned into Tonight’s Headlines, haha, to avoid trouble.