Chapter 555: Securing Headquarters

Birthday celebrations typically last a day or two, but for affluent families, they might include additional events. Plus, Qin Jingqiu always hates to see Feng Nanshu leave, so it wouldn’t be unusual for her to stay a few extra days.

Thus, it’s quite significant for Feng Nanshu to know how many days she’ll be away.

It’s just like that song from the future goes.

A place without you is another land; a journey without you is wandering…

She has been left behind in Shanghai twice before. Now that she has finally found a sense of security, she, of course, does not wish to part.

A typical college student would just ask when they can return.

Asking outright might make it seem like she doesn’t want to spend more time with her aunt, as if she’s forced to go, which is quite impolite.

But Feng Nanshu’s question showed only her dependence on Jiang Qin, with no reluctance to interact with Qin Jingqiu.

It’s pretty final.

However, Qin Jingqiu isn’t quite sure about the exact schedule for this longevity feast, so she estimated about a week at most.

Jiang Qin, having once been away on a one-month business trip, believes the little rich girl can handle it and simply nods.

“What’s borrowed must be returned, then it’s not difficult to borrow again,” Feng Nanshu offers a friendly reminder.

“You girl…”

Seeing her serious expression, Qin Jingqiu feels somewhat trapped.

She’s not even wed yet, but her loyalties seem fully shifted to Jiang Qin’s household, beyond retrieval.

Jiang Qin pretends to be clueless on the side. What are you talking about? I don’t understand. I just know a handsome boy must protect himself outside and not be seduced by a friend’s sweet talk.

Later, Jiang Qin takes the little rich girl for a meal at the Linchuan cafeteria and visits the first Xitian store.

Classmate Gao is busily making milk tea. Upon seeing Qin Jingqiu, he greets her warmly as Auntie.

They’ve met in Shanghai before and have even been guests at each other’s houses, so they’re not strangers.

“Huihuizi, make a new product for Auntie to try from our shop.”

“Sure.”

Gao Wenhui picks up the milk tea cup then suddenly lowers his voice, asking, “Auntie, did you come this time to set a good date for you and Feng Nanshu?”

Jiang Qin gives him a look: “Yes, a good date to deduct all your wages.”

“Jerk!”

“Didn’t you say you could live off bonuses?”

“Who would complain about having too much money?”

Gao Wenhui turns back to making milk tea with fervor.

Jiang Qin spits out in his mind that perhaps his and Feng Nanshu’s friendship has reached its peak with a pledge over red cloth, but that doesn’t mean you need to worry!

Meanwhile, Qin Jingqiu starts looking around the milk tea shop, observing the check-in wall and watching Huihuizi make milk tea.

Xitian is currently the hottest milk tea brand in the domestic market with over fifteen hundred stores nationwide and is valued at over ten billion.

Put it this way, even if Nanshu wasn’t born into the Feng family, she would still be a dazzling little rich girl.

Feng Nanshu is vague about money and doesn’t care about Xitian’s valuation; what matters most to her is being the lady boss.

However, in Qin Jingqiu’s eyes, Xitian signifies Jiang Qin’s full adoration for Feng Nanshu.

Frankly, Qin Jingqiu feels that Jiang Qin might be too good to Feng Nanshu, quite defencelessly so.

Of course, Nanshu is worth it.

But by normal standards, human nature always has a selfish side.

Yet Jiang Qin seems to have none of that towards Feng Nanshu.

What Qin Jingqiu doesn’t know is ever since the little rich girl borrowed Jiang Qin’s first pot of gold, he has been bound to never withhold anything from her.

Just then, three figures arrive at Xitian, blushing and waving at Jiang Qin: Jian Chun, Song Qingqing, and Jiang Tian.

They pondered throughout a whole class before deciding to explain the pillow incident to Jiang Qin.

“Jiang Qin, about that pillow…”

“I understand, not everyone can be in the same class as Yan Zu.”

“Ah? Oh…”

Jian Chun and Jiang Tian exchange glances: “Also, the stain on the pillow at the spot of your face was just tea accidentally spilled.”

Jiang Qin is silent for a moment, thinking this explanation might have been better left unsaid.

Meanwhile, Qin Jingqiu is sitting at the bar listening to Gao Wenhui complain about Jiang Qin docking his wages and notices three embarrassed young girls outside, feeling slightly concerned.

With Jiang Qin’s business growing bigger, she’s a bit afraid Nanshu might be mistreated.

It’s known all too well in their circles: Rich men can easily be corrupted.

But her niece really can’t live without Jiang Qin; she probably wouldn’t survive without him.

Gao Wenhui, watching her aunt look out the window, suddenly purses her lips and speaks: “Although Jiang Qin is a terrible boss, he has always been devoted to Feng Nanshu.”

“Hmm?”

“Really, he’s so attractive, and there are plenty of girls at school who covet him, but Jiang Qin always keeps his distance. Moreover, whenever he appears in public, he’s sure to hold hands with Feng Nanshu.”

Qin Jingqiu sits up straight: “Really?”

Gao Wenhui nods: “Last time Jiang Qin attended a business group gathering, he came back late, had a bit too much to drink, and even called Feng Nanshu asking why she wasn’t checking in on him. It sounded quite pitiful and made all of us laugh.”

“That happened?”

“Yes, these two are both single-mindedly in love. Neither can live without the other, so you don’t need to worry, Auntie.”

Qin Jingqiu turns to look at the aloof-looking Feng Nanshu: “Actually, a bit of jealousy in a woman can be a good thing. Too bad my Nanshu is too naive to understand that.”

Gao Wenhui: “?”

Just then, Jiang Qin returns to the milk tea shop, meeting Feng Nanshu’s gaze: “Talking for so long, you must have exhausted your brother.”

Qin Jingqiu opens her eyes wide in disbelief: “Is this still my niece?”

“You know very little about your niece.”

“…”

After leaving Xitian, Jiang Qin drives Qin Jingqiu to see the entrepreneurship base and even calls Dong Wenhao to tell Auntie about various events during the grassroots period.

They then visit the Group-buy headquarters, touring departments like Marketing, Business, Technology, Content, and HR.

Qin Jingqiu notices that people seem to call her niece “boss lady” louder than they call “boss,” signaling that her niece indeed holds a high position in Jiang Qin’s company.

“What’s the next step for Group-buy?”

“The focus will be on building up the supply chain and a multi-dimensional layout on the internet.”

“How so?”

“Internet commerce—rather, I should say mobile internet commerce—has just begun. Many conventional industries can be shaped into an internet+ model whether it’s Taobao or Group-buy.”

As Jiang Qin walks his aunt around, he explains, “Taobao has combined manufacturing with the internet, while Group-buy has moved services online. But for now, only a fraction of industries have been transformed, like medicine, agriculture…”

“Oh right, Auntie, could you help me get some commercial land in Shanghai?”

“You’re building a new headquarters?”

Jiang Qin nods: “Group-buy’s size is continually growing, and so are its supporting industries. Plus, my friends have bought property in Shanghai, and college isn’t going to last forever.”

Qin Jingqiu nods: “Leave it to me. I’ll make sure you’re satisfied.”

“Then I thank you in advance, Auntie.”

Indeed, Group-buy has been rapidly expanding, with its staff numbers reaching over six thousand. The office building provided by Linchuan government is clearly insufficient.

Most importantly, the resources in second-tier cities simply cannot match those in first-tier cities.

He plans to establish his own industrial park in Shanghai to raise his various business divisions.

If Linchuan’s city leaders were here, they might explode at this moment.

They’ve supported him with policies, even lent him buildings, and now… their own golden mine has been swindled away by a pure friendship!

However, Jiang Qin isn’t planning to move everything at once. He’ll still keep parts like the Linchuan Business Group and the Golden Silkwood Fund.

He’s just relocating core departments of Group-buy, Zhihu, and Today’s Headlines.

At dusk, as it gets dark, Wei Lanlan has already booked a hotel for Qin Jingqiu, then Jiang Qin and Feng Nanshu take her there.

After checking in, Jiang Qin finds an excuse to chat with the hotel manager, giving the two women some private space.

“Nanshu, sleep with your aunt tonight. We’ll head out first thing tomorrow.”

“I’ll be gone for a week, so I’ll spend tonight pampering Jiang Qin.”

Feng Nanshu is clever beyond measure, as Jiang Qin used to do the same when he went on business trips, always coming over the night before to pamper her.

Just then, the little rich girl reaches for a bedside box attracted by an infamous sprite, showing curious eyes.

Putting herself in the shoes of Nanshu’s mother, Qin Jingqiu is somewhat concerned: “Nanshu, you and Jiang Qin… do you use this?”

Feng Nanshu shakes her head: “Never used it.”

Qin Jingqiu looks worried: “Although there’s an international kindergarten right outside your door, you haven’t graduated yet… You really should use this.”

“?”

Half an hour later, a drowsy Feng Nanshu leaves the hotel, carried back to Linchuan University by Jiang Qin to a secluded spot…

There, wrapped snugly, they merge into various shapes before swiftly bouncing back.

The little rich girl is stunned, wanting to speak but can’t, her senses overwhelmed by the force of friendship.

“Brother, you’re a bit forceful.”

“You’re leaving for a week.”

Nestled in his arms, Feng Nanshu thinks, before when you went on trips, you never mentioned letting me play with the spare phone.

But just then, Jiang Qin suddenly feels something bulky and angular in Feng Nanshu’s pocket, like a box.

“What’s this?”

“Spare phone case.”

“?”

Jiang Qin is taken aback, holding the box in place, suddenly dumbfounded.

Just a few days ago on Gao Wenhui’s Tonight’s Headlines, he read “How to Help Your Best Friend Trick a Boy into Bed.” Are they actually starting to implement that now? Carrying equipment around?!