Chapter 508: The Retreat of LaShou Network

After leaving the group-buy headquarters, Jiang Qin drove to the finance dormitory.

Many university girls who did not leave campus during holidays were out and about in shorts or pajamas, some carrying bath baskets, others holding lunches.

The cicadas on the trees tirelessly buzzed, creating a noisy calm.

Jiang Qin parked on the roadside and then called Feng Nanshu from her dorm.

She wore a plain white tee today with her hair tied up in a high ponytail revealing her slender neck. Her loose jeans featured a waist-tightening design that made her waist look incredibly delicate.

The harsh summer sun was blinding, casting a glow on her fair skin.

She dragged a small suitcase, looking somewhat cold but clearly happy to be going home. Her clear eyes sparkled lively as she ran down the road.

“Did you wait long?”

“Just a little, but I behaved and didn’t wander off.”

Feng Nanshu climbed into the passenger seat and opened the glove compartment to retrieve a small comb and tidy up her bangs.

The box was packed full of her miscellaneous items.

Jiang Qin put her suitcase in the trunk and got into the driver’s seat, reaching over to fasten her seatbelt.

The thin white T-shirt outlined her figure sharply. Her safety belt tightened automatically, snugly fitting across her chest.

Jiang Qin turned up the air conditioning a bit and draped a jacket over her.

Any good driver knows it’s crucial to focus while driving on the freeway, without any distractions. It can be very dangerous otherwise.

Jiang Qin thought this should be included in the driving regulations as a compulsory test question.

“We’re heading home now, huh.”

“Brother, let’s go.”

Jiang Qin put on his sunglasses and pressed the accelerator, slowly driving away from the dorm building.

Yang Shuan didn’t come to hitch a ride this time because he was seeing his girlfriend off. Guo Zihang was too busy with a group dinner at the station he managed to join.

The two then drove onto the highway and reached Hongrong Homes by three in the afternoon. Before entering, they noticed an inflatable arch at the community entrance with dragons on the left and phoenixes on the right, clearly a wedding setup.

Jiang Qin glanced at the names on the arch. “Zhang Jun, who’s that? I don’t recognize the name.”

“It’s Grandma Li’s eldest son from building six.”

“?”

Jiang Qin suddenly realized, “Ah, it’s Big Jun! Haha, I feel like an outsider who’s lost his brainstem.”

Feng Nanshu glanced at him. “Grandma Li made me peanuts last year.”

“You’ve really figured out this community. I don’t know so many people here and you’re always indoors.”

“I have your family heirloom.”

Feng Nanshu, at some point, had put her bracelet back on and was shaking it playfully.

As Jiang Qin drove slowly into the community, he saw Third Uncle directing traffic at the intersection. Guest cars were directed southward to a designated area, while private cars were not his concern.

Shortly after, the crackling sound of firecrackers filled the air, sounding very festive.

At that moment, Jiang Zhenghong stood by the apartment entrance with a teacup in his hand, red ribbon at his collar, directing young people hanging up colored flags.

Hongrong Homes is a relocation community dwelling mostly relatives, so whether for weddings or funerals, shouting out once gathers instant support from the community.

Before Jiang Qin could park, he saw Yuan Youqin walking out from a building decorated with the character for “double happiness.” She initially headed towards Jiang Zhenghong but redirected towards Jiang Qin’s car on seeing it.

Yuan Youqin never used to be so eager about weddings but had become a constant at them lately, saying she was “gathering experience.”

“Nanshu, why are you only back now? Your grandma was just mentioning you, asking if you had arrived.”

“Auntie, we got started a bit late.”

Jiang Qin patted his stomach. “Mom, I’m hungry.”

Standing at the car window, Yuan Youqin responded, “There’s instant noodles in the cabinet to the right of the kitchen. You can have that for now. Nanshu, I’ll take you to see your grandma.”

Feng Nanshu’s eyes brightened and she got out of the car to follow Yuan Youqin to the opposite building.

“It’s just a neighbor’s wedding. Why is everyone so excited?”

Jiang Qin muttered to himself about his billionaire status yet stuck with instant noodles as he carried two suitcases upstairs, using the spare key to open the door.

After hurriedly eating a few bites, Jiang Qin entered his room and switched on the internal system to process several applications from various branches.

Applications from the Shanghai station for summer sales, Guangzhou’s good review discount festival, and joint activities in second and third tier cities…

Wei Lanlan and Tan Qing had already reviewed these applications. Approved ones were marked with green ticks, and unapproved with red crosses.

However, all applications were duplicated for Jiang Qin’s final approval.

If Jiang Qin did not provide feedback within 24 hours, they would proceed with the existing decisions.

The Kyoto station had been frequently applying for funds lately, as the promotion area for daily specials had started to expand from the core business district towards other regions.

After the finance department’s consultation, suggestions were forwarded to Jiang Qin for final decision.

Jiang Qin meticulously reviewed and approved two expenses.

One was organizing a neighborhood cultural performance to enhance community cohesion, and increase group-buy’s “family feeling” among community users.

Another was for an offline advertising campaign, as building trust in community group purchasing highly depends on media like television and news.

Television advertisements particularly hold significant authority, especially among the older generation; channels dedicated to TV shopping stand as proof.

“What’s the reaction from Dianping and LaShou Network now?”

Yao Shengdong replied online: “Dianping has been recruiting ground promoters recently. It seems they too want to explore community group purchasing, but a month after placing recruitment ads, there’s been no further movement.”

Jiang Qin thought for a moment: “They probably didn’t plan for this initially. Adjusting budgets, structures, and upgrading services requires thorough consideration, and I guess they’re quite indecisive.”

“That sounds about right, boss. Brilliant!”

True to Jiang Qin’s expectations, Dianping was currently quite passive. Daily specials didn’t clash with their services, which theoretically should allow for co-existence.

“You continue with your offline deliveries, and I’ll stick to online group sales. Not only will we not clash, but we might also benefit from each other.”

However, everyone knew that once group-buy’s community sales fully rolled out, it would naturally enhance their in-store services.

As the consumer base grew, establishing a few famously popular outlets and promoting them on headline news would attract merchants seeking partnerships.

Then, the cycle starts anew and, in time, kills competitors.

If Dianping aimed to counter group-buy, they needed to discuss channels, recruit ground promoters, and even potentially set up a new division to upgrade their website, among other things.

These were preparations group-buy started nearly a year ahead and took over the ground promotions from other sites that others didn’t want. Following this path would be a massive investment for Dianping.

Because catching up with group-buy quickly costs a fortune.

Therefore, inside Dianping, voices emerged—some were skeptical about the viability of community group purchasing while others felt not pursuing it spelled doom—a dilemma that left upper management indecisive.

They had secretly communicated with LaShou, but LaShou seemed calm, indicating they wouldn’t compete.

In fact, Dianping felt LaShou was somewhat resigning lately, making everyone puzzled.

Had they dug themselves a hole to die in?

Brothers, can you please pull yourselves together? It’s not completely falling apart yet.

Oddly, while LaShou Network showed no ripples, they also did not seem despondent, rather exhibiting an unexplained confidence.

Chen Jiaxin, having returned from Shanghai, was promoted and is now in charge of the Kyoto district.

This happened because although she didn’t take the Shanghai market from group-buy, her established business circle system somewhat compensated Dianping’s lack of map services.

Thus, in Kyoto, she and group-buy once again stood in opposition.

Currently, there’s no effective countermeasure from her company against group-buy’s strategies, so Chen Jiaxin arranged for Yang Xueyu to snoop on LaShou Network’s internal dealings, seeking why they appeared so unperturbed.

“Ms. Luo, it’s the weekend again. How about a cup of tea? A friend sent me a box of Da Hong Pao from Wuyi Mountains.”

“Keep it, I’ll drink it when I return!”

“Are you traveling again?”

“I’ve been sent to Yongcheng and won’t be back soon. I told you it was silly to switch to Dianping; I hope you won’t regret it later.”

“?”

Yang Xueyu was momentarily confused, thinking Yongcheng is a secondary city in the south which is part of Nuomi’s operating area.

Initially, when Nuomi was outplayed by group-buy, it swiftly turned southward to compete with Wowo Group, attempting to buy time until Baidu Maps’ database was established.

Why is LaShou Network venturing into the southern market now? Are they giving up their stronghold?

Damn, wasn’t there supposed to be strategic cooperation? Now everyone has run off. Will Dianping be left to withstand group-buy alone? What are they thinking?

Nuomi’s move southward was only a temporary solution; once they upgrade their map service, they’ll surely return and then raise funds to reclaim their territory. But what is LaShou planning to get back into the frontline market?

Recently, my schedule is all over the place; my head’s buzzing…