Chapter 482: Wanzhong Mall Completion Ceremony (Thanks to kk9 and Time Gone By

The next morning, it was still drizzling gently in Shanghai, bringing a slight chill and a tingling sense of spring.

Tan Qing and Ye Ziqing arrived at the Hilton and knocked on Jiang Qin’s door.

“Boss, it’s time.”

Soon, Jiang Qin came out wearing a baseball cap: “Let’s go.”

The three turned back only to encounter Robin and Yang Xueyu right in front of the elevator.

Lashou was planning to retreat since they had little business left in Shanghai after competing brands entered without resistance, allowing them to depart effortlessly.

Robin felt much more relaxed at the thought, often chatting with Yang Xueyu these days.

They had known each other for a while and shared similar experiences which naturally paved their way to friendship.

“President Jiang, it’s the weekend again. Going out?”

“Yes, I’ve almost finished my work. I’m going to see a small house in Jing’an.”

“President Jiang, are you planning to settle in Shanghai? Next time I come to visit, I’ll have to come to your house for a meal.”

“Of course.”

Jiang Qin smiled brightly, waved at them, then entered the elevator.

Yang Xueyu looked puzzled: “What small house?”

“He bought a villa recently, probably going to check on the renovations.”

“…”

Meanwhile, in front of a newly built large shopping mall in Jing’an, numerous people waited under umbrellas, a large crowd of at least a hundred people, including several media outlets.

At the forefront were several sisters in golden cheongsams, holding trays with scissors, and others carried a red silk ribbon tied with flower balls.

Before long, a white BMW slowly entered, and Jiang Qin, wearing a baseball cap, emerged from the back seat and walked along the slightly wet red carpet to the stage amid all eyes.

Seeing this scene, the staff responsible for the red silk swiftly dispersed, and two men at the center stepped aside to let Jiang Qin through.

With the ribbon pulled apart and the scissors cutting through, the doors to Shanghai’s Wanzhong Mall officially opened, and applause like thunder filled the air.

Inside the BMW, Tan Qing opened a bag of chips and offered some to Ye Ziqing at the passenger seat.

She didn’t take any, not because she didn’t like them but because she was utterly confused looking outside.

“Why did the boss come here to do the ribbon-cutting?”

“The boss is the second largest shareholder of Wanzhong Group. The ribbon-cutting was scheduled for last month but had to be postponed due to his availability.”

Ye Ziqing pursed her lips: “Is this Wanzhong the one from Linchuan?”

Tan Qing nodded: “The boss and President He are very good friends.”

“Visiting the small house in Jing’an”

As Ye Ziqing looked out through the rain-streaked window, Jiang Qin’s words echoed in her head.

“Does the boss involve himself in commercial real estate as well?”

“It complements each other,” Tan Qing responded, eating a chip.

“Doing business isn’t like a TV drama, there isn’t just one person’s victory. Many industries may seem unrelated but are interdependent. Wanzhong will be our base for future home delivery services.”

“…”

“When we first tried home delivery in Linchuan University Town, Wanzhong was our biggest supplier. This model will continue.”

“You… You used Linchuan as a test site and did so much?”

Tan Qing nodded: “Sister, you only focused on group buying back then; you wouldn’t have seen these Wanzhong projects, but they are what matter. The boss says group buying will always be just a channel, just like e-commerce and physical stores.”

Ye Ziqing opened her mouth: “So, the Burger King owned by Liu Yin’s family too?”

“Yes.”

“No wonder…”

Tan Qing turned to her: “What no wonder?”

Ye Ziqing folded her arms: “When I was working with Suixin Group, I noticed many nearby stores changing their signs, all too familiar. Sometimes when I’m overworked, I’d feel as if I’m still in Linchuan.”

“The boss says to send provisions before the troops arrive.”

As they spoke, the ribbon-cutting ceremony ended, and people started dispersing.

Once everyone left, He Yijun stood at the entrance looking back deeply touched by the completion he’d overseen, feeling an immense sense of achievement.

“How many projects does Wanzhong have now?”

“Six under construction and three in negotiation.”

Jiang Qin was surprised: “You’ve taken on new projects?”

He Yijun spoke softly: “Qin Shi Real Estate’s influence is huge, plus bundling so many well-known brands like Xitian and River Hotpot has turned into a massive money magnet, with endless orders.”

Building a business complex is not merely about construction; for local governments, commercial success is crucial.

Many places build commercial streets and malls but fail to attract merchants, turning them into problematic constructions.

But Wanzhong is different. Since Jiang Qin started joint strategic marketing, he’s made numerous brands famous – fresh produce, massages, gourmet food, dining – all tied to Wanzhong Group.

Simply put, I can build a mall for you, help you set up a platform, and integrate merchants for you; this is a game changer.

Handing projects to Wanzhong means you don’t have to worry about revitalizing the shopping district because each brand is a powerful traffic driver, making Wanzhong a weapon and the strategy Jiang Qin planned for its future.

“Is that area also a project by Qin Shi Real Estate?”

Jiang Qin pointed towards a construction site with cranes at the back of the building.

He Yijun nodded: “They are constructing office buildings, apartments, and residential areas around Wanzhong.”

“Auntie has really sharp insights.”

“Who?”

“Nobody,” Jiang Qin grinned, “President He, keep up the good work!”

Just then, Qin Zhihuan approached: “What are President Jiang and President He discussing? Why am I left out?”

“Nothing much, just talking about future plans with President He.”

Qin Zhihuan frowned, lowering his voice: “President Jiang, we’re actual relatives. Why discuss future developments with President He and not include me?”

“?”

“Aunt said that once you two get married, the Wanzhong shares from the Qin family will be the dowry.”

Jiang Qin held his breath, swallowing hard.

Feng Nanshu was already an unbeatable little charmer, calling him ‘brother’ all day, and now adding dowry to her was too much.

If this continued, their pure friendship would eventually be pierced, and that would be unacceptable.

Muttering “Amitabha,” Jiang Qin stepped inside the shopping mall; despite being a shareholder of Wanzhong, he hadn’t visited often this year.

Previously, the mall was only half-built with cranes and scaffolding around, but now he could visualize the future bustle.

“Let’s go to the rooftop.”

He Yijun glanced at him: “The rooftop is the same as downstairs; do we need to go up specifically?”

Jiang Qin waved it off: “That’s not necessarily true.”

“?”

The three took the elevator to the top, where they could clearly see the bustling Shanghai through the glass: “President He, do you feel a sense of déjà vu?”

He Yijun looked at him: “What are you planning now?”

“My station is rented from an old building with inconvenient transportation and lacks many facilities. Why don’t we continue being neighbors?”

“What are you barking about? What are you barking about?!”

Jiang Qin narrowed his eyes: “President He, remember when we finalized the construction design? I insisted on adding an extra floor against many opinions!”

He Yijun’s face turned red: “You said that floor would be very useful!”

“Yes, and now Yanzi is your neighbor. What more could you want?”

“?????”

Jiang Qin gestured broadly: “In the future, we brothers will walk side by side through each city, unbeatable!”

He Yijun held his breath: “Are you saying you want to be my neighbor in every city?”

“Look how moved President He is.”

Qin Zhihuan smirked, thinking, to exploit freebies truly takes someone like Jiang Qin!

At this moment, Jiang Qin looked at He Yijun: “I plan to open a branch office in Shanghai to establish a computing center and attract some big names. Don’t worry, once I secure land in Shanghai, I’ll move out.”

He Yijun sighed: “That’s exactly how you duped me back then.”

“But I kept my word, didn’t I? My headquarters has already moved out.”

“Well, that’s true…”

As they talked, Tan Qing and Ye Ziqing also caught up: “Boss.”

“Come here, isn’t this place beautiful?”

Tan Qing nodded: “Beautiful.”

Jiang Qin turned to He Yijun: “President He specifically reserved this floor for our branch office. Aren’t you going to thank President He?”

He Yijun took a deep breath: “Thanks are unnecessary. When Wanzhong opens, Group-Buy must shine for me!”

“No problem.”

Jiang Qin patted Tan Qing and led them to the other side, pointing to an apartment building under construction: “Look, isn’t that apartment building also beautiful?”

Qin Zhihuan: “…”

He Yijun suddenly felt a bit better: “Old Qin, I guess you’ll be giving him three floors of that building for dorms.”

Qin Zhihuan smiled slightly: “If President Jiang wants to use it, let him.”

“Doesn’t that bother you?”

“We’re all family, why make distinctions?”

He Yijun was taken aback by Qin Zhihuan’s generosity, slightly doubting his insecurity, even furrowing his brow a bit, wondering if he was being too stingy.

Thanks to Time Gone By, thanks kk9, kowtowing to you two scribes, you guys are confused!