Chapter 492: Shanghai’s Curtain Call

The May Day holiday zipped by, and the summer heat began to show its strength.

Daily specials spread quickly across the top-tier cities, with group-buy participation soaring yet not peaking.

In mid-May, intermittent rain falls in Kyoto, washing away the national heat and cooling the air.

Currently, strong winds gather clouds above the city; it’s dark and low. Lightning flashes, and thunder follows, mysterious and loud.

“Lashou’s entire operation in Shanghai has collapsed, causing many coupon hoarders to complain to the consumer association.”

“Kang Jingtao was demoted twice and reassigned to Starcheng.”

“In charge of Lashou in the Shanghai market, Zhu Jinfu with four experienced managers joined Group-Buy, rumored to be disenchanted with Kang Jingtao’s management style, leading to their defection.”

“Kang Jingtao probably never imagined that his actions would sever Lashou’s roots in Shanghai.”

“Meanwhile, Lashou plans to withdraw from the Shanghai market to focus on second and third-tier cities. The managers who betrayed Group-Buy got nothing and are now planning a joint lawsuit against Lashou.”

Jiang Qin…

“He’s said to have stayed on campus, rarely appearing, except for a few interviews.”

“In summary, Group-Buy pushed what needed pushing, structured as planned—nothing was delayed, and they even adjusted their team structuring. The backstabbing managers gained nothing; their rivals collapsed.”

“…”

Chen Jiaxin sits quietly on the lounge sofa, absorbed in silence as Yang Xueyu shares insider info gained from old connections.

In fact, many e-commerce executives grew quiet upon learning this outcome.

They knew Kang Jingtao stormed into Shanghai, and his private maneuvers delayed Group-Buy’s street promotion by a day.

A delay which was good for everyone since Group-Buy isn’t what it used to be—it now firmly sits atop the group buying throne and attracts much attention.

At a stage where Group-Buy nearly overwhelms all other sites, everyone would cheer any setback it faces.

However, when continual success was reported from Kang’s side, the situation suddenly reversed.

Digging began, but it ended up burying him instead.

Group-Buy lost nine managers, appearing disastrous yet gained a chief and four managers.

The rapid and drastic change left everyone bewildered, clueless about the inside story.

Yet, one thing was certain, it had to be Jiang Qin’s doing.

The style matches his previous exploits: sudden raids in Shanghai, unexpected financing news, strong GIS service launches, tactical daily specials, even tactics reminiscent of stealing coupons for eggs.

But Jiang Qin was reportedly just studying, even during the entire May holiday in the south. How did he manage this?

Then, some rumors surfaced, gradually revealing his actions.

Simply put, he increased the value of a few poached employees, held a teleconference, then everything started to collapse, bleeding continuously.

His casual response tied to the abrupt market changes in Shanghai created a stark contrast.

One could imagine Jiang calmly reading in a sunny classroom, picking up the phone and simply saying let it cool, then Lashou cooled off.

Of course, this illustrates a significant deviation between human imagination and reality.

A dog learning? Constantly going to Zhang Boiqing for refunds, infuriating him to the point of calling security. And he’s supposed to be studying?

Friends aren’t short of jokes; their little mouths never stop bugging…

Once the event’s sequence became clear, another website came to mind, a site long faded into history, Suixin Group.

When did Suixin Group’s rapid decline begin? It started when Kang Jingtao poached their Shanghai team.

That was essentially the beginning of Suixin’s misfortune and the start of their end.

After losing the market, Suixin immediately suffered from the combined forces of Lashou and Nuomi, severely shrinking their market share and never recovering.

In other words, if Group-Buy hadn’t responded timely or effectively, it might have ended like Suixin—not dead but severely peeled.

But who could have predicted, Jiang, backed into a corner, would still dance wildly and even manage to slap Kang Jingtao twice while swiping two candies from his pocket…

Business warfare has no smoke, but the tension and thrill are comparable to actual battlefields.

One can’t directly feel Kang Jingtao’s panic at that time, but merely placing oneself in his perspective is enough to render silence.

Over the weekend, at a barbecue restaurant in Shanghai, Ye Ziqing and Cui Yiting sit across each other, toasting over sizzling pork belly.

Ever since Lashou pulled out of Shanghai, Cui was transferred to nearby Yincheng. Her salary reduced, but life became more comfortable as there were no troubles, at least for now.

Her revisit wasn’t just to see an old friend but also spurred by the events in the Shanghai market.

“I built the Shanghai market with my own hands and also lost it myself. I never thought Jiang Qin would avenge me…”

Cui drains her glass, her tone filled with emotion.

Ye chuckles, “Do you remember how we haughtily went back to Linchuan to dine with Jiang after that?”

Cui nods, “From last year, this memory has kept replaying in my mind.”

“When our team was poached, we had to amputate to survive, dragging Nuomi to restrain Lashou. The boss acted so high and mighty, depressing me. I asked him if he was so indifferent because he had a better plan. If so, just say it.”

“Now… he didn’t say; he showed everyone.”

Cui looks at her, “You seem quite happy now?”

Ye smiles slightly, “Working with him is enjoyable. I feel honored, as if I personally sought revenge on that Mr. Kang.”

Cui raises her glass, “To Jiang Qin.”

“To the boss.”

They drink, Ye picks up her chopsticks, “What does Zhou Zhenhao think of this?”

Cui pauses, “He didn’t say much; probably nothing good to say. You might not know, but after we joined Lashou, Zhou often asked me why we consulted Jiang back when Suixin faced a crisis.”

“He’s been resentful that long?” Ye is surprised.

“Yes, when we started out, a boss called Jiang ‘President Jiang’ and him ‘little Zhou;’ it unsettled him. After we consulted Jiang on what to do, it completely damaged his pride.”

Ye raises an eyebrow, “He should be over it by now.”

“Yes, if someone now says someone is slightly worse than Jiang, I’d think that person is impressive.”

Meanwhile, at the Shanghai market branch of Group-Buy, employees are enjoying a celebration banquet, engaging in lively toasts.

Zhu Jinfu, holding a wine glass, mingles around, slightly tipsy, his face bright with a smile.

Kang Jingtao asked how he could turn defeat into victory. That’s simple, just join Group-Buy and turn defeat into victory!

“Mr. Xu, when might I have the chance to meet the boss?”

“I’m not sure about that.”

“Ah, that’s too bad. I thought the boss himself would attend this celebration.”

Xu Kaixuan can’t help but glance at this forty-something man, “Mr. Zhu, I find you somewhat ambitious.”

Zhu is taken aback, “I’ve always wanted to advance, but Mr. Kang came too late. If he had come last year, I’d have joined Group-Buy then. Oh, I also wrote a poem for the boss.”

“You write poetry?” Xu is surprised.

“Of course, listen to this—east wind blows, war drums beat, who does the great President Jiang fear? With his left hand, he strikes Lashou; with his right foot, he tramples Public, petrifying the enemy into immobility!”

Xu savors it a moment, frowns slightly, “Each line’s length varies, seems more like lyrics.”

Guan Shen casts them a sideways glance, “That’s hardly even a ditty…”

“I’ll send it to President Jiang to see.” Xu burps, pulls out his phone, and begins composing a text.

“What did President Jiang say?”

“He said it’s a good poem, suggested printing it and posting it on the wall.”

“…”

Just then, the branch’s door opens, and Song Xiong enters, bypassing the noisy crowd to the market department’s office to silently pack his belongings.

He was Kang Jingtao’s mole, so he’s the last to resign, items still uncollected.

After packing his box, Song closes the door, lights a cigarette, leans against the desk, smokes, and listens to the celebrations outside, expressionless, yet his nails dig into the desk’s paint.

What did all this turmoil fetch him? No triple salary, no five hundred thousand, he even lost his job.

Now, many companies know of his actions, none dare hire him, as if he’s blacklisted by the entire industry.

Why would other companies know?

Oh, thanks to “Tonight’s Headlines” app, which reported on his “brilliant deeds” for a week.

After all this, what did he gain?

Just damn washed his feet twice?

Song takes a deep breath, carries his box out of the office, and leaves Group-Buy under everyone’s disdainful stares.