Chapter 509: Perhaps We Can Acquire Group-Buy!

“President Chen, Robin has gone to Yongcheng.”

“?”

Chen Jiaxin sat at his desk drinking coffee. Hearing this, he was as bemused as Yang Xueyu had been earlier, finding it hard to understand.

LaShou Network currently has only three general managers, Luo Ping, Robin, and Kang Jingtao.

Luo Ping now helps manage the second and third-tier northern cities for LaShou while Kang Jingtao, having undermined his base in Shanghai, was demoted to Xingcheng.

Only Robin remained, assigned to manage the group-buying business in Kyoto.

Now with LaShou’s business floundering in Kyoto, Robin’s sudden departure south was highly unusual.

“Is he planning to hand over all his business in Kyoto to Group-Buy by leaving now?”

Yang Xueyu shook his head, “I’m not sure what they’re up to.”

Chen Jiaxin put down his teacup and looked out the window, “Nuomi, LaShou, Wowo Group, and us—four leading group-buy websites—yet two have been aggressively edged out by Group-Buy. Even we and Wowo Group are barely holding on.”

“…”

Yang Xueyu might not have thought this way if Chen Jiaxin hadn’t spoken, but once considered, it really seemed true.

When the group-buying market took off, over six thousand group-buy websites registered and started business but only a few could firmly establish themselves in first-tier cities.

Besides the earliest casualty, Suixin Group, there were just LaShou, Nuomi, Dianping, and Wowo Group.

Back then, Group-Buy was hardly known, not even ranking among the second or third tiers but categorized merely as a “college students’ group-buy website.”

Yet, in six months, they calmly and steadily pressured both Nuomi and LaShou into a retreat.

The remaining two, Dianping in Kyoto and Wowo Group in Guangzhou, were also pushed to the brink by Group-Buy.

“It seems, in another half year, Group-Buy might even dominate the national first-tier market.”

“Really? But something about LaShou’s quiet withdrawal feels off, not quite their style.”

Chen Jiaxin paced back and forth before speaking, “LaShou is known for quick strikes and likes poaching talent, quite aggressive. Yet, before even losing fully, they’ve already fled?”

Yang Xueyu pondered for a moment, “Maybe they learned from their experiences in Shanghai and Shanghai? Not wanting to lose too much to Jiang Qin?”

“No, I feel there’s something more.”

Yang Xueyu paused, recalling some details, “I didn’t sense any despair when I talked to Robin over the phone. Instead, he seemed quite pleased, which is strange.”

Chen Jiaxin considered, “Could it be related to Alibaba? Didn’t they go to Hangcheng recently?”

“…”

Three minutes later, Chen Jiaxin and Yang Xueyu stared at the computer screen.

They didn’t search much but happened to look up Alibaba, then saw a slew of news about Alipay.

Alipay, China UnionPay Merchant Services, Tenpay… a total of 27 companies received payment licenses from the central bank at the end of May, marking the first time non-bank firms were allowed to conduct payment services.

Ms. Pang Rui, CEO of Alipay, expressed gratitude in an interview for the central bank’s trust and recognition, promising to build a safe, open, orderly, and convenient mobile payment platform under its guidance.

Struck by this news, both fell silent.

“No wonder LaShou dares give up Kyoto to snatch the market in the southern second and third-tier cities…”

“They’re avoiding Group-Buy’s siege to preserve strength and wait for Alipay’s business to kick off before swiftly returning.”

“This isn’t a tech barrier; it’s a policy one.”

“Group-Buy’s in big trouble.”

Chen Jiaxin released his mouse and leaned back in his chair, contemplating the impending storm, then promptly called the boss of Dianping.

The Dianping boss first commended Chen Jiaxin’s sharpness then mentioned he was already at Tencent’s headquarters in Shanghai.

“By end of September, the mobile version of Tenpay will launch the Fast Payment One-Click service. Just bind a bank card and perform dual verifications to make payments.”

“By then, our app’s development will be nearly complete, and the tech team will directly integrate this mobile payment gateway.”

“This could be our chance to turn the tables and dominate the market, but we need to keep it low-key initially.”

Relieved by these words, Chen Jiaxin hung up and shared the news with Yang Xueyu.

Tenpay, developed by Tencent in 2005 as a third-party payment platform, resembled more a QQ coin recharge tool due to technology, policy, and network constraints.

Now with its payment license, it’s poised to enter the mobile payment field and seize the initiative.

After all, payment software lays the foundation for internet commerce, and a major player like Tencent wouldn’t easily give up such an opportunity.

As group-buy websites still rely on PC and online banking tools, the change brought by mobile payments, allowing users to simply use their phones to make purchases, is significant.

This spells certain defeat for Group-Buy!

Internet commerce inherently thrives on facilitating convenient lifestyles, a reason why group-buy websites became popular.

When you become the least convenient option, you’re bound to be ousted by the market.

That means their biggest rival, the overbearing Group-Buy that’s been suffocating them, is about to fail because it lacks any major internet firm with a payment license backing it.

“But President Chen, mobile payments will take time to gain widespread adoption.”

“True, but first-tier cities will be the pioneers, and major firms are especially willing to invest heavily here. All of Group-Buy’s main operations are in these cities, so it’s bound to collapse within half a year.”

“But by then, Group-Buy might accept investments from major firms.”

“They still won’t escape being acquired. Perhaps we might end up acquiring Group-Buy?”

Chen Jiaxin and Yang Xueyu exchanged looks, suddenly feeling a great weight lifted off their shoulders as if a huge mountain had been moved.

They’d been brutally crushed by Group-Buy in Shanghai, retreating to Kyoto only to be aggressively pushed back.

All along, Group-Buy’s domineering ways seemed unstoppable, but they couldn’t have anticipated becoming the biggest bubble of the group-buying market due to swift technological changes.

“President Chen, should we follow LaShou’s lead and start setting up in second and third-tier cities preemptively?”

Yang Xueyu then thought of a critical issue.

“Absolutely, but we can’t give up on Kyoto.”

Chen Jiaxin pursed his lips, “Even if Group-Buy exits due to payment restrictions, we’ll still have to contend with LaShou. Keeping first-tier cities gives us a head start.”

Yang Xueyu took a deep breath, “I wonder if Jiang Qin will break into a sweat hearing this news.”

Meanwhile, at Hongrong Homes, the sun was setting towards the western hills, and lively noises came from across.

Looking out the window, the other side was festively red, noises clearly audible.

At that moment, Jiang Qin was sitting indoors, sneezing three times in a second, wondering who was talking about him.

Then he received a call from Yuan Youqin, asking if he was done and if he wanted to join the excitement.

Mr. Jiang thought, what’s there to join in a wedding? I’m not envious. Then he locked the door and hurried over.

The bride would only enter the house the next morning, so tonight was mainly about arranging the bridal room. Jiang Qin arrived to find Third Uncle and Fourth Uncle smoking at the door, making the hallway seem like a wonderland.

“Jiang Qin, here to find a bride? You rascal, can’t stay away, huh?”

“Third Uncle, I don’t appreciate that. Have you considered you might lose a wealthy client?”

Third Uncle pursed his lips, taking another cigarette to continue smoking, “You only buy small things like salt and vinegar, not as much as your family does.”

Jiang Qin swiftly snatched his cigarette, “Smoke less, it’s bad for your health!”

“You rascal…”

Jiang Qin stepped into the groom’s home, crushed the cigarette underfoot into the trash, then saw Feng Nanshu standing in the living room, her beautiful eyes fixed on Yuan Youqin, who was busy spreading the wedding bed with relatives, watching intently.

There were also a few youngsters in the groom’s home, likely friends, whose eyes kept darting towards the little rich girl’s exquisite face, followed by hushed whispers.

No helping it, this little succubus was too beautiful, always attracting attention.

Just then, a young man with glasses seemed unable to restrain himself any longer, took a deep breath, and approached Feng Nanshu with his phone, presumably to ask for her contact.

Jiang Qin narrowed his eyes, timed his step, and stumbled forward to accurately bump into the bespectacled man, causing his phone to crash to the floor.

“Oops, sorry, sorry.”

“What are you doing? Can’t you watch where you’re walking?”

The bumped man almost didn’t stay upright, saved only by a friend’s quick support.

Jiang Qin picked up the man’s phone, blew on it twice, and handed it back, “Really sorry about that, delayed your QQ request.”

“?”

The bespectacled young man paused, his peripheral vision suddenly spotting the stunning young woman rushing over and slipping her tiny hand into that of the man who had bumped him.

Seeing this, the bespectacled man glanced away, muttering something under his breath, then acted as if nothing had happened and averted his gaze.

Jiang Qin grinned, enjoying twirling the smooth hand in his.

“Brother.”

“Yes?”

Feng Nanshu pointed towards a wedding photo on the living room wall, looking earnestly at him: “Look, a good friend’s photo.”

Jiang Qin paused, “Is that a good friend’s photo? I’ve studied, you can’t fool me.”

“We’ve taken a similar one.”

“When?”

“Summer of ’09. If it includes uncles and aunts, it’s called a family photo. Just us, it’s a good friend’s photo.”

Feng Nanshu boldly spun tales.

Jiang Qin’s mouth twitched, pointing at the bed Yuan Youqin was making, “Come on, tell me, what’s that called?”

Feng Nanshu looked over, her tone icy, “Good friend’s room, good friend’s bed.”

“Are you serious?”

The little rich girl, though hesitant, nodded haughtily, as if insisting on the good friend photo, good friend bed, good friend room concept.

Jiang Qin squinted at her, thinking she always says ‘good friend’, but privately she seems to want more.

Feng Nanshu, aware she was being watched by the big bear, remained silent and still, feigning ignorance effectively.

“With a good friend’s bed and room, what’s that on the wall then?”

Jiang Qin led Feng Nanshu to the doorway of the bridal room, pointing at two chubby baby stickers inside.

Feng Nanshu looked for a moment: “That’s a friendship crystallization.”

“Oh, friendship crystallization, huh? How’s that formed?”

“I know this one. Some are picked from the trash, others come free with phone credits.”

“《Who’s Talking About Love After Rebirth?》 earned the second place under the Big Dipper’s fourth star, an honor indeed. Thanks to Qidian, all the judges, and especially the readers for your support and affection. I’ll keep striving to tell great stories tirelessly, living up to every expectation.”