Chapter 585: Delivery Battle Lines Ignite

With the approach of the New Year, every street and alley was decked out in colorful lights.

As holidays began, brick-and-mortar stores saw peak sales while the delivery market slumped, giving all platforms a breather.

Taking this chance, all delivery platforms are tweaking their operational models to optimize their services.

Starving-No-More has put its remaining funds into developing an app for its couriers.

Sticky Rice Delivery swiftly assembled a target list following its earlier group-buy path aiming to capture four cities post-New Year.

Praise Delivery even bought out a late-night snacks app and a work meal app, effectively seizing two cities indirectly.

At this moment, Quick Meal was deeply mired.

They realized providing a base salary and signing contracts was unworkable in the tech industry.

Their courier recruitment was inefficient, involving too many tedious contract details and low delivery fees, offering no competitive advantage.

Moreover, with Sticky Rice Delivery next door, Xi Zhongwen was frowning daily.

He used to handle deliveries in Kyoto for just three office buildings and those days were joyful; why had it become less so?

Meanwhile, various media platforms kept fueling the fire.

“According to statistical surveys, industry registration numbers for couriers have risen to sixty thousand.”

“College students taking part-time delivery jobs over the holiday to pay their tuition.”

“Just need an electric scooter; part-time couriers can earn over ten thousand a month.”

“No matter the social status, part-time couriers have become a popular job.”

When an industry keeps getting marketed in the news, it indicates a shortage in that field.

And these news stories, as they spread via the internet, increasingly influenced the courier sector.

Twenty-seven-year-old Liu Qiang had been working at a construction site with his neighbor, Sixth Uncle, for a year, waiting for his boss to pay him so he could go home for the New Year.

The site had shut down but the payment was delayed, making Liu Qiang increasingly anxious.

“Sixth Uncle, has our pay come through? It’s almost New Year, how can I go home without money?”

“Not yet, the foreman said the project funds won’t be released before the end of the year; it might drag into next year.”

“Why is it the same every year?” Liu Qiang was frustrated.

With a sigh, Sixth Uncle said, “Qiangzi, I’ve already decided I won’t continue next year.”

“How can you not? My kid is so young and needs to go to school!”

“I plan to deliver food. We’re still young. No need to wear ourselves out on the construction site.”

Raising a grimy hand, Sixth Uncle handed Liu Qiang a blue flyer that read Starving-No-More, picked up from the ground.

Liu Qiang, squatted down to read, “Delivering earns over ten thousand a month? Seriously?”

“Earning over ten is a stretch, but the old guy responsible for watering has been at it for three days and made over three hundred.”

Standing, Sixth Uncle patted himself clean: “Qiangzi, stop waiting. Pack up and head home for the New Year. The kids are waiting. Next year, let’s get your wages back, buy an electric bike, and I’ll show you how to deliver.”

On the 28th of the twelfth lunar month, nothing tops heading home for the New Year, and the homecoming wave peaks.

Jiang Qin surveyed an outskirt warehouse syncing with the Group-Buy Supply Chain before visiting his uncle and aunt with gifts, then returning to Jizhou.

Hardly having any rest, Jiang Qin was dragged by Yuan Youqin and Feng Nanshu for New Year’s shopping in the city and also visited Nanyai village for the New Year’s market.

Nanyai village, Jiang Qin’s grandmother’s home, hosts its largest market on the 28th, rivaling the scale of a temple fair.

Each year, all kinds of people flock there, including those from the city.

Upon entering, cyclists and tricyclists filled the view.

The earthy road buzzed with “How much for this?” and “Can it be cheaper?”

Jiang Qin’s role was like a human cart, ending up with hands full.

Of course, Yuan Youqin bought more while Little Rich Girl randomly browsed everywhere.

She wore a floral padded jacket, jeans, and leather boots, peering into every stall, even not sparing the fish vendor, blinking in thought.

Jiang Qin found a stone stool at the village entrance. “Little Rich Girl, go with my mom. I need a break.”

“Alright.”

“Get me some roasted chestnuts. I love those!”

“Got it!”

Feng Nanshu trotted off toward Yuan Youqin, hand in hand, heading towards the busier area.

Meanwhile, Jiang Qin spotted someone across on another stone stool, clad in a black padded jacket and black rectangular glasses, looking utterly bewildered.

It was the man he had met last year, who had come to the village with his girlfriend for New Year’s.

This man seemed no different from last except for a slight change in hairstyle, still as unknowing as ever, as if asking himself who he was, where he was, and what he was supposed to do.

Soon, the returnee son-in-law noticed Jiang Qin, eyes widening, “I remember you, you’re Jiang Qin, ‘I speak for myself.’ I met you last year. The more I thought about it, the more you seemed like him!”

Jiang Qin held on to the three plastic bags, containing chicken, duck, and rabbit, “You think Jiang Qin would do such heavy work?”

The son-in-law hesitated then shook his head, “Seems not.”

“Exactly, only Yanzu would do such rough tasks.”

“?”

While they were talking, a girl in a teal down jacket appeared on the other side, waving at them.

A woman, seemingly her mother, followed her.

The returnee son-in-law’s eyes lit up, and he stood, bags in hand, and rushed over.

“Pfft, no status.”

Jiang Qin muttered, then noticed Feng Nanshu at the bridgehead, waving roasted chestnuts at him.

Jiang boss’s eyes lit up, he picked up the bags on the ground and hustled over…

“I was thinking of buying some pork lard scraps for dumplings. Nanshu hasn’t tried it. Old Zhang’s were too expensive. Go with me again.”

“Why me?”

Yuan Youqin whispered, “Teamwork! Act like a greedy kid who absolutely must have it. If not, I have no choice but to leave. Let’s try that.”

Jiang Qin’s lips twitched, glancing at Feng Nanshu, “Why not let Little Rich Girl try?”

“Can’t do it. I can’t lie,” said Feng Nanshu with a pout.

Jiang Qin looked at her, “You can’t lie, just lie to me? Am I not a person?”

“You’re like a big bear who can climb trees.”

“…”

Jiang Qin then got dragged by his mom to Old Zhang’s stall to join the haggling.

Just then, the budget sheet from Xu Yu came through on his mobile, awaiting approval.

Pine Selected, Pine to Store, Daily Deals, Pine Supply Chain, Nanshu Commercial Marketing, Algorithm Center…

The figures were in the millions and tens of millions.

Jiang Qin haggled over three yuan with his mom while approving multimillion-dollar budgets, feeling utterly fragmented.

Eventually, Yuan Youqin managed to knock two yuan off the price and successfully bought the pork lard, walking back with the bag.

“Mom, I make so much money every year. It’s fine if you don’t spend it, but could you not be more generous when buying groceries?”

“Haggling is one of the few hobbies your mom enjoys.”

Jiang Qin pursed his lips, took Feng Nanshu’s small hand, and walked towards the parking area at the village entrance. Just as they got into the car, a cold hand reached out.

Little Rich Girl had peeled a roasted chestnut, intending to feed him.

Jiang Qin bowed his head to eat the chestnut, “Why are your little hands so cold?”

“This one wasn’t held by you.”

Feng Nanshu sat in the passenger seat and muttered, then peeled another chestnut for Yuan Youqin.

This year’s New Year’s Eve lacked the 29th and 30th; the next day was directly New Year’s Eve.

Jiang’s household saw a flood of relatives almost trampling the threshold, many who hadn’t been in touch for decades, now drawn by the fame of the young man who ‘speaks for himself’!

Overwhelmed, Jiang Qin slipped away again, and with Yang Shuan and Guo Zihang, headed to a water bar to play several rounds of Mahjong.

While playing, Jiang Qin’s phone vibrated. Opening it, he saw a message from Qin Zi’ang.

“Fireworks tonight?”

Jiang Qin paused then saw another message from Qin Zi’ang: “Uncle?”

In previous years, Jiang Qin never bought fireworks, freeloading off Qin Zi’ang’s dog skills several times.

But to his surprise, Qin Zi’ang had messaged to ask him tonight.

In fact, Qin Xiongwei, Qin Zi’ang’s dad, hadn’t found an opportunity to invite Jiang Qin to dinner before the New Year and was still thinking about it, asking Qin Zi’ang what Jiang liked.

Meals can be skipped, but gifts must be given.

Without the green light Jiang Qin gave at the end, the new mall project in Jizhou might not have gone to their company. Some basic courtesy must be maintained.

“He likes money.”

“That’s obvious. I like money more, but we can’t just give money, and he wouldn’t accept it if we did.”

After pondering, Qin Zi’ang said, “Then that’s it. But his girlfriend likes fireworks.”

“Wait, I’ll find someone to bring a truckload of fireworks over. Invite him politely!”

“Oh…”

Qin Zi’ang smacked his lips, watched his dad rush out, then pulled out his phone and opened Jiang Qin’s chat.

“Fireworks tonight?”

“……”

“Uncle?”

After sending the last “Uncle,” Qin Zi’ang thought, ‘I hope that’s polite enough. I can’t be like Guo Zihang, who shamelessly kneels and calls him father-in-law.’

After all, back in school, he and Jiang Qin didn’t get along that well.

But seeing no reply from Jiang Qin, Young Master Qin hesitated and typed two words, “Father-in-law.”

But just before sending, Jiang Qin replied with a simple “Okay,” making Qin Zi’ang sigh in relief and quickly delete “Father-in-law.”

Perfect, dignity preserved!