Chapter 483: Hanging the Capitalists from the Streetlights

“Everyone, we have a new office now.”

It’s the weekend so most of the branch’s staff were off. Hearing from Tan Qing in the chat group that they got a new office, many rushed over to join the fun.

The modern design of the Wanzhong Mall looked impressive, especially the panoramic view from the top floor which showcased Shanghai’s prosperity. In comparison, their old rented building felt a bit cramped.

The employees were excited, running around and taking selfies. It took them quite some time to explore the entire top floor.

Only Ma Yubao and Yang Shuai, the veterans from 208, stood by the elevator with a serious look on their faces.

“This seems like a large shopping mall.”

“Exactly.”

“Shuai, what are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking about the boss’s plan to recoup our wages.”

They exchanged glances, their eyes gradually sharpening.

Working upstairs during the day and spending downstairs after work, their hard-earned wages would end up back with the boss.

This pathetic cycle kept the company prospering and the boss’s business growing, way ahead of everyone!

Too scary, truly frightening!

“I saw a sign below for Shui Rou Spa. Damn, isn’t that targeting my wallet? Who could withstand that?”

“Exactly!”

“Those greedy capitalists…”

Tan Qing overheard their mumbling and couldn’t help but approach, “What are you guys whispering about? It’s like you lost your wallets.”

“It’s just like losing a wallet, Qing Jie. Talk about the boss being too harsh, placing the offices at the top of a mall, nakedly recouping our salaries!”

These pioneers of Room 208 were close. They normally called each other as brothers and sisters, informally. And complaining about the boss was a common pastime, especially since Ma Yubao and Lu Feiyu were best friends at heart.

Tan Qing looked at them, “The boss said we are regarded as internal staff of Wanzhong, and we will receive discounts here.”

“If that’s the case, I have nothing else to say. The boss is a great man!”

“Except for that spa store downstairs.”

Ma Yubao fell silent for a moment, “Greedy capitalists.”

Yang Shuai squinted his eyes, “Hang them on streetlights.”

Jiang Qin walking with Qin Zhihuan and He Yijun from the apartment building behind, suddenly felt his collar tighten, “Damn, who cursed me? Why do I feel something choking me?”

He Yijun turned back to look at him, “Are you too tired, maybe from neck and shoulder ache? Go wash your feet later; a massage will fix you right up by tomorrow.”

“?”

“From just mentioning your neck, you thought of foot washing?”

He Yijun looked at him strangely, “If a man doesn’t wash his feet, what’s the point of living?”

Jiang Qin glanced at Qin Zhihuan, “I’m not going to that sleazy place.”

“I meant a decent one!”

“Even the decent ones are boring. I don’t go to the indecent ones, and you want me to go the decent?”

“Are you afraid of treating, Boss Jiang? You’re too stingy.”

Jiang Qin laughed, thinking you know nothing. My spouse is a little jealous type with high combat skills, “Let’s just have dinner tonight. I’m heading back to Linchuan tomorrow. This meal is on me.”

Qin Zhihuan couldn’t help but interject, “After all, I’m the host here in Shanghai. Let me cover the meal.”

“How could I let you pay? It’s better if Old He pays.”

Qin Zhihuan nodded, “Letting President He pay… also works.”

He Yijun widened his eyes, “I swear, you guys must be relatives, right? Truly, a family does not speak two different languages!”

“Just kidding, President He. I’m borrowing you a floor space, how could I not afford a meal?”

“…”

From the launch of GIS services to the daily special promotions, and finally the opening ceremony of Wanzhong Mall, this half a month trip to Shanghai for Jiang Qin was finally over.

After having dinner with He Yijun and Qin Zhihuan, Jiang Qin packed up his luggage and caught a noon flight back to Linchuan.

By the end of April, Linchuan University was bustling with spring. An arts festival around the school’s main theme had the entire campus road filled with small stalls, bustling intensely with a fair-like atmosphere.

Jiang Qin strolled along and then saw Zhuang Chen at a roadside stall selling mooncakes.

The mooncakes looked familiar, seeming like the ones he used to fool the older brothers in Linchuan Business Group.

Seriously, a year later and still not sold out…

Zhuang Chen also spotted Jiang Qin, hesitated for a moment, then pretended to answer a phone call and turned, leaving Jiang Qin with a cool back view.

Jiang Qin tactfully did not greet him, just glanced at the mooncakes and passed by.

Honestly, although he stirred up the industry in Shanghai and nearly changed the course of the entire sector, he still couldn’t sell mooncakes in April…

Zhuang Chen, you crafty fellow!

Jiang Qin continued on, spotting good friends all around the campus – holding hands, embracing, taking photos together, and even sneaking kisses. It was pure friendship all around.

Even stray seniors had their good friends, boldly exploring the mysteries of life without a shred of shyness.

Indeed, it was the season of spring…

Jiang Qin hummed a tune about spring’s fragrance as he walked back to his dorm, only to find a large padlock hanging on the door when he reached. Clearly, Cao Guangyu and Ren Ziqiang must have gone on a date, and Chao was either playing basketball or at a club activity.

He stood at the door pondering before turning to the next dorm, which was Zhuang Chen’s.

After entering, only Zhang Guangfa was there. Hearing the door open, Brother Guangfa quickly snapped his laptop shut and fumbled with his trousers.

“Jiang Qin, what…what brings you to our dorm?”

“Our dorm is locked and I didn’t bring my keys. Just need a place to leave my luggage.”

Jiang Qin glanced at him, “Are you watching such stimulating art in broad daylight because you don’t have a girlfriend?”

Zhang Guangfa was momentarily breathless.

Just then, Zuo Baiqiang also returned, somewhat surprised to greet Jiang Qin, seemingly unexpected to find him here.

Their dorm didn’t have a close relationship with Zhuang Chen and Jiang Qin’s due to some discord, so although they were from the same class, the interaction was minimal and they didn’t often hang out together, not even for playing cards.

However, there weren’t really any other issues so Zuo Baiqiang was quite welcoming, offering a cigarette and asking if he wanted water.

“Heard you went on a business trip to Shanghai?”

“Yeah, did a little business, just got back today.”

Zhang Guangfa, curious, asked, “What kind of business?”

Jiang Qin stretched lazily, “Changed the consumer habits of over twenty million people in Shanghai, suppressed three competitors each controlling billions, inaugurated a new large-scale shopping center, and incidentally opened a branch company with a registered capital of thirty million.”

“Holy crap…”

Zhang Guangfa was momentarily stunned, as if struck by a sudden realization, muttering to himself that he really shouldn’t have asked. This was no small business; selling shoes and socks would be small business.

This was also why young master Cao wasn’t here. He would definitely feel like he was looking in a mirror.

Jiang Qin unpacked the brought butterfly pastries and cakes, handing them to Zuo Baiqiang and Zhang Guangfa, “If anyone comes to our dorm later, please help call out to them to help take my luggage back.”

Zuo Baiqiang nodded, “Leave it to me.”

“Then I’ll be going. Guangfa, you should look at more green stuff, it’s good for your eyes. Also, your butt is really white.”

Zhang Guangfa: “…”

Zuo Baiqiang looked at him puzzled, “What were you doing in the dorm?”

“Nothing, I just wasn’t dressed when he saw me,” Zhang Guangfa blushed in embarrassment.

Zuo Baiqiang opened a piece of butterfly pastry and handed it to Zhang Guangfa, then said, “Honestly, I am quite envious of Cao Guangyu and the others.”

“Envious of what?”

Zuo Baiqiang paused, “Maybe envious that they can share a dorm with Jiang Qin. The camaraderie from four years of dorm-sharing isn’t something everyone gets.”

Zhang Guangfa couldn’t help but pout, “What’s there to envy? He’s not a busty beauty who can give the brothers a thrill.”

“True, we might not see the benefits now, but the gap will show after graduation, especially when looking for jobs. Don’t you think Jiang Qin could easily help them find high-paying jobs close to home? Shouldn’t be too difficult, right?”

Zuo Baiqiang lit a cigarette, “I heard before that Song Qingqing is getting over seven thousand a month from that dumpling recipe. If I had such an awesome roommate, I’d call him dad too.”

After hearing Zuo Baiqiang’s words, Zhang Guangfa was silent for a long time, realizing there was truth in his words.

During school, their expenses were covered by their families; they didn’t have to worry much about worldly matters. But once they graduated, things would be different.

Though Zhang Guangfa cursed the canteen news as show-off, he had to admit Jiang Qin’s social status was undeniable.

Whether it was the school’s leadership or Linchuan city leaders, he could speak up, and his group-buy venture was growing, with Zhihu spreading across universities nationwide. The neighboring dorm fellows, if graduated, would have far better job opportunities than them.

Maybe in the near future, as they stepped into the job market, the name Jiang Qin could even become a bragging point.

“I was classmates with Jiang Qin.” Such statements could earn admiring glances.