Chapter 475: Group-Buy Panic!

During the Qingming festival, just after a light rain, the last chill of early spring faded and the temperature became very pleasant.

Jiang Qin had been in Shanghai for five days. First, he registered a branch called Group-Buy Network Technology. Then, he visited Feng Nanshu’s uncle and aunt.

Now, the last task remained – overseeing the launch of Group-Buy’s GIS service.

This service, a half-year collaborative effort with Gao De, would allow real-time viewing of merchant locations and quickest transportation routes with navigation, marking a significant technological advancement in group-buying platforms.

Additionally, this marked Gao De’s first step into the commercial sector, which both companies took very seriously.

Shanghai, as Group-Buy’s biggest business area, was the first online pilot for this service. Gao De even sent a tech team, and as the boss, Jiang Qin was there personally.

To outsiders unaware of the specifics, Jiang Qin’s sudden arrival in Shanghai seemed to be a response to a looming crisis by Public’s strategic expansion in Shanghai – a direct engagement by him.

Royal expedition suggests Group-Buy is a bit panicky, necessitating the boss to boost morale by his presence.

“Good morning, President Luo.”

“Good morning, President Jiang. Have you had breakfast? Maybe we can eat something together.”

On the morning of April 6, Robin just left his suite at the Hilton when he met Jiang Qin in the hallway.

He wasn’t surprised since last time, without shame, Jiang Qin used their coupons to stay half a month in Shanghai and even ate into their market share.

But this time, Robin remained calm.

Why?

Because Public was contending for the Shanghai market.

Despite deep rivalries between LaShou Network and Public, that competition was between companies.

For Robin, it was Jiang Qin, who used their discounts and ate into their market share, casting the biggest shadow in his heart.

Hence, thinking about the crises Group-Buy would face next gave Robin a deep sense of pleasure.

Like a warrior, A, hopeless against a god in battle suddenly seeing a stronger warrior, B, wound the deity with a sword.

A shouted at the deity in delight, realizing even gods can be wounded – they were also mortal beneath their divine facade. His shadow dissolved, and he ascended to a new level.

Unexpectedly, the freeloader Jiang Qin declined breakfast with a wave of his hand.

“I’ll skip breakfast, thank you for the invitation, President Luo. Just some things to take care of at the station.”

“Busy, always busy. It’s good to keep busy.”

Robin shared a perfect smile as he joined Jiang Qin in the elevator down to the first floor.

He thought beneath Jiang Qin’s calm exterior might be an anxious heart, as anxious as he had been at the end of last year when ambushed by Group-Buy – otherwise, why would he ever skip a free buffet breakfast!

The elevator reached the ground floor where Cui Yiting, wearing a khaki trench coat, awaited, bowing slightly to both men.

“Good morning, President Jiang, President Luo.”

Half a year ago, Cui Yiting wouldn’t bow to Jiang Qin due to his youth and insignificance.

But now, she felt no burden in bowing, given Jiang Qin’s influence and control in the Shanghai market that overshadowed his age.

“Good morning, Manager Cui. You look more beautiful each day.”

“You flatter me, President Jiang.”

Jiang Qin exchanged pleasantries with Cui Yiting before exiting the hotel ahead of them.

Cui Yiting looked at Robin: “Doesn’t President Jiang seem quite relaxed?”

“Relaxed is just for show, to inspire confidence among his subordinates – after all, he’s here for direct engagement.”

Public and Group-Buy in some ways were very similar, their ratings and food lists competed closely, and Public entered the fray in its third round with robust energy.

More critically, backed by Tencent, Public never had to fear running out of funds.

In such business wars, usually only the strongest survives, undoubted by many.

Many in the industry believed it was just a matter of time before Public, more mature and capable than other platforms, would prevail.

Ultimately, the market might see Group-Buy, LaShou, and Nuomi completely ousted, leaving Public to monopolize. A tripartite balance would thus end.

If that indeed happened, Nuomi would be devastated first, its southern routes severed as if a worm chopped in three, while LaShou could lose investor trust, and Group-Buy might struggle to ever rise again.

Why?

Because Shanghai is Group-Buy’s main battleground. Besides this, they only had the Shanghai market and some reduced business in second and third-tier cities.

Despite securing 180 million in funding, Group-Buy couldn’t breach the top tier.

Currently, inside Public, strategical decisions over Shanghai had been finalized.

Their life services platform originated in Shanghai and grew nationwide. Dominating the group-buy market there was like picking low-hanging fruit.

But Yang Xueyu, whom Public had poached for his experience in Shanghai’s group-buying market, was conflicted.

Public had recruited him from his collaboration with LaShou, hoping not just to seize the market but to absorb LaShou’s team to expand its scale.

Yet, Yang Xueyu refused to go back.

Jokingly, he pondered the reason for his jump – was it not to escape Group-Buy’s suffocating competition? And now they were sending him back?

However, as an employee, he couldn’t defy the more significant force, so he reluctantly stepped up. But this time, he wasn’t in charge – instead, it was Chen Jiaxin, a woman known as the “Iron Lady.”

She was a hero in Public’s expansion in Kyoto, leading a team of elites much like Kang Jingtao from LaShou, very adept at swift confrontations.

Public’s requirement for Shanghai was clear: swift entry, quick dominance, rapid clearance.

After the strategy meeting, everyone immediately headed to the airport, where Yang Xueyu met Public’s Iron Lady, Chen Jiaxin, for the first time.

“Director Chen, I’m Yang Xueyu. Just joined the company. Please guide me.”

“Hmm.”

Chen Jiaxin slightly nodded without saying much, then turned and boarded the plane.

Yang Xueyu stood awkwardly in the boarding bridge, smiling awkwardly to himself, unsure of her temper.

“Don’t mind her, Director Chen doesn’t really value men much.”

“?”

A Nuomi employee, Jiang Peipei, who had been poached earlier and was a former operations manager under Chang Jian Song, explained softly.

“Director Chen grew up in a very patriarchal family and has been through two divorces. She’s had her share of hardships, so she won’t allow herself to be beaten by men.”

Yang Xueyu, baffled: “Really?”

“That’s why they call her the Iron Lady.”

“…”

The plane took off and reached cruising altitude. Everyone began their meal.

Yang Xueyu noticed that three male managers who came with the team were noting down points as they squatted beside Chen Jiaxin, while she, looking down from her lofty position, conducted a meeting.

Yang Xueyu pulled up his blanket, pretending not to see but actually keenly listening.

No doubt about it, Director Chen was a pragmatic leader. In just a few words, she had the Shanghai market strategy figured out, making detailed plans for every aspect.

The three managers silently kept notes, resembling footmen.

“Looks like this Chen Jiaxin really means business…”

Yang Xueyu mused quietly to himself before dozing off.

The plane landed in Shanghai at three in the afternoon. The group checked into the Hilton.

They planned to base operations out of Pudong’s central business district, so staying nearby was most suitable.

Back at a familiar place, Yang Xueyu felt a chill. If Jiang Qin was also staying here, it could lead to an awkward encounter.

Most crucially, this was his former employer’s turf. Bumping into old acquaintances here could indeed be very embarrassing.

“Oh right, LaShou has coupons for this hotel.”

“?”

Realizing his slip, Yang Xueyu casually reminded everyone but only received incredulous looks and some disbelieving laughter.

Chen Jiaxin coldly spoke: “The company covers all expenses for the team, Director Yang, no worries.”

“Alright then.”

Yang Xueyu realized he might have come off a bit foolish. Unlike Group-Buy that shamelessly counted scrimping from rivals as part of their achievements – unheard of elsewhere.

“After everyone checks in, rest up. Let’s meet in my room at six for dinner. We’ll commence operations tomorrow.”

“Understood, Director Chen.”

After finishing her directive, Chen glanced at one of the more handsome managers: “Zhang Li, come to my room after dropping your luggage.”

“Okay… okay, Director Chen.” Zhang Li pursed his lips, nodding.