Chapter 528: No Major Problem

Autumn brings many rains and a single autumn shower brings a chill. Fallen leaves on the streets, not swept in time, get soaked by rain, creating a desolate scene.

This feels like being caught in the whirlwind of rumors that group-buy brings.

Negative public opinion is like this; once it starts, it’s hard to stop.

Competitors, capital, netizens all kinds of forces come together, and the controversy escalates, even overshadowing rumors of the group-buy site’s boss fleeing.

Online narratives soar, turning the dead into the living.

Netizens, a crowd ignorant of the truth, think they’re smart but are easily swayed by those with agendas.

Thus, in just one day, the situation evolves from ‘group-buy might be having a financial disconnect’ to ‘group-buy is about to have a financial disconnect’.

Once this thought settles, group-buy’s business takes a sharp downturn.

Problems arise with partner stores, suppliers, and consumers.

“Manager Yao, we all run small businesses here. We need to be cautious. Please settle our payments first, then we can continue to cooperate.”

Group-buy’s Shanghai branch, a group of top-rated merchants stands in the office with helpless expressions.

Manager Yao, in charge of the branch, sighs, “Mr. Chen, Mr. Yue, these online rumors are baseless. Netizens believe them, but you savvy folks too?”

“We know group-buy didn’t get this big on luck, but can’t we handle it differently given the circumstances? Otherwise, we’re too scared to continue.”

“I can’t alter the settlement period set by the company. How about everyone cools off and heads back? I’ll notify you immediately if there’s any news.”

“Can’t you front us the money on behalf of group-buy, Manager Yao?”

Yao Shengdong frowns, “I wish I could, but I don’t have that kind of money!”

The merchants, shocked, “You’re such a high-level manager and you don’t even have a few million? We do.”

“Damn it…”

Seeing Yao Shengdong on the brink of violence, the merchants look at each other, then leave the branch, and the next day, they start to close up shop and move to group-buy’s competitor, Public.

Public review site grows rapidly; employees admire their boss Wu Bo’s foresight.

Initially, group-buy and Alipay started joint marketing, quickly expanding with the smartphone market, swiftly dominating and controlling the top cities.

By then, Lashou had already bailed, followed closely by Nuomi and WoWo group, channeling funds and manpower, continually penetrating the market.

These three websites compete while sinking down, not sparing even smaller county towns, all developed.

Only Public review, despite burning money, kept a segment in Kyoto.

Now with the storm of public opinion, many merchants return to Public review, even consumers flock back, like wealth falling from the sky.

“Heard Alibaba is pushing it; they’re the second largest shareholder of Microblog…”

“Tencent’s involved too. Their portals post daily news about group-buy going under.”

“Weren’t they cooperating well before? Alipay even paired with them for marketing.”

“Cooperation is due to mutual need, but group-buy refuses to allow investments, which makes them suspicious…”

“Group-buy isn’t wise at all. Why not accept investments? As long as they aren’t controlled, it should be fine.”

“Boss’s thinking isn’t something we can grasp…”

“Group-buy’s boss is only twenty-one. Does he have an extra brain?”

“Anyway, public opinion is too powerful now. Hard to say how group-buy will handle this.”

Online and offline, rumors about group-buy boil over, even a quick disproof notice is futile amid the uproar.

The customer service center tries to calm consumers, while the ground promotion team soothes merchants, the whole situation online and offline is a mess.

Except for the Public review catching the early advantage, Lashou, Nuomi, and WoWo are all watching, hoping for a downfall to bring new opportunities.

“The timing is just too perfect.”

“Yes. If it were just rumors, it might not have had such an effect, but the example of group-buy’s boss is right before us, igniting the flames.”

Yang Xueyu and Chen Jiaxin sit across each other in the company cafeteria, chatting about this during lunch break.

They have been receiving merchants switching from group-buy lately, appearing tired but not upset.

“Not sure how group-buy will handle this.”

“Group-buy can’t handle it,” Chen Jiaxin answers.

Yang Xueyu frowns, “Jiang Qin isn’t an ordinary person.”

“But have you thought about it? Jiang Qin was always prepared before he could strike, but this isn’t the case now. It’s too sudden, there wasn’t enough time to prepare.”

“That’s…”

Chen Jiaxin raises a finger, “One week. This wave of public opinion only needs to last a week. If consumers are afraid to buy and merchants afraid to sell, group-buy will completely collapse.”

Yang Xueyu pauses, “A week goes by fast.”

“Yes, it really does.”

In fact, many think like Chen Jiaxin.

Jiang Qin has always strategized brilliantly, with foresight that seems to stretch beyond timelines, laying deep plans.

But this sudden incident, aided by various capital forces, makes a turnaround seem impossible.

Man may conquer nature, but reversing public opinion?

Meanwhile, at Linchuan Airport, Jiang Qin and Dong Wenhao land in the evening, immediately met by the chill of autumn rain.

Yet a warm greeting awaits them at the airport from Wei Lanlan, Tan Qing, Su Nai, Lu Feiyu, Xu Yu, and Lu Xuemei.

“Boss, welcome back.”

Jiang Qin hands his luggage to Lu Feiyu, “Why’s everyone here? It’s like something big happened.”

“We’ve been trending all day; it’s a big deal, boss. Merchants are reluctant to cooperate with us now, and consumers are frantic to get refunds.”

Tan Qing clenches her fists, “Those damned experts clearly took money to spread lies, and yet so many believe them.”

Jiang Qin gestures dismissively, “Group-buy deceived many consumers and merchants, causing a situation where one bitten by a snake fears ropes for ten years. It’s normal.”

“What do we do now?”

“Let’s talk more when we get back; it’s quite cold.”

Jiang Qin waves, signaling everyone to get into the cars. He himself steps into the back seat of Wei Lanlan’s white BMW.

“Boss, heading to the headquarters?”

“Let’s go to Room 208. It feels more comfortable there.”

Wei Lanlan nods, steering onto the expressway, while Lu Feiyu follows in another car.

Half an hour later, the cars slowly drive into Linchuan University through the rainy campus road to the entrepreneurship base.

They get out, walk through the empty corridor to room 208, fish a key from under the mat of room 207, and open the door, immediately greeted by the musty scent of long closure.

It’s dark indoors due to rainy weather. Lu Feiyu expertly stretches out his hand and flicks on the light.

Room 208 suddenly lights up, a familiar feeling immediately enveloping them.

“Feels like it’s been a while since we were back in 208, yet it doesn’t feel strange at all.”

“Right, we started from here after all.”

Wei Lanlan responds to Tan Qing, eyes full of nostalgia, picking up a hairband left behind when they moved out.

Su Nai too caresses her old desk, “Our team sat right here, earnestly building Zhihu and Group-buy into national brands.”

“I too contributed all my talents here.”

Jiang Qin turns to them, almost numb, “What’s going on? Why the sudden trip down memory lane? I’m starting to feel like Group-buy is really closing down.”

Tan Qing also looks glum, “Boss, it’s really serious.”

“It’s not that exaggerated.”

“But all the merchants in Shanghai are demanding their payments. Some chain brands even request a $50,000 deposit from Group-buy, saying they’ll continue only after receiving it. Other cities are pretty much the same.”

Tan Qing outlines the market situation succinctly.

Xu Yu’s expression changes upon hearing this, “We’ve invested a lot in building a community group-buy and supplying Hengtong. It’s profitable now, but we haven’t recouped the investment yet.”

“We staggered payment terms across four cities to ensure cash flow for the company, but if they all demand at once, our finances are very strained, not to mention the deposit.”

“…”

After Xu Yu’s words, Tan Qing adds, “Moreover, consumers of our group coupons have been demanding refunds.”

Jiang Qin nods, “Is the refund amount significant?”

“It’s small.”

Xu Yu picks up the paperwork, “Compared to the payments due to our partners, it’s a drop in the bucket.”

Jiang Qin nods, “Can we control the narrative?”

“We tried, but we can’t. The pushers are powerful, hiring many influential figures and experts. They keep making things up if they run out of things to say. Now people are even saying you’re related to the boss of Group-buy.”

Wei Lanlan purses her lips, “Worst of all, someone even started a Group-buy Rights Protection Group, making it seem like we’ve already gone under, continuously spreading panic.”

Dong Wenhao frowns upon hearing this, “It’s really organized and premeditated, ensuring we have no chance to turn things around.”

After everyone voices their concerns, all eyes turn to Jiang Qin.

“No major problem, let’s take it step by step.”