Chapter 617: Ineffectual Complaints

Attended the Internet Conference, extended a “polite” greeting to the little rich girl’s stepmother, and personally saw the main building framework of the Group-Buy Industrial Park.

Jiang Qin’s trip to Shanghai was quite fruitful.

Now, April has hurriedly ended, and summer has quietly arrived.

The thesis defense for this year’s graduates at Linchuan University starts on May 13, meaning they have little time left until they truly graduate.

Jiang Qin decided to return home tomorrow but before that, the furniture Qin Jingqiu and Feng Nanshu ordered a while ago has been arriving gradually.

Among them, a wooden cradle was brought down from the truck by the workers, intended for the master bedroom.

This gave Jiang Qin a feeling of being duped into adulthood upon graduation.

“Why would you buy such a thing? It’s ridiculous!”

The carrier was hauling the cradle upstairs. He paused at Jiang Qin’s comment, “If you don’t want it, we can return it right here. Just sign, and we’ll take it back.”

Jiang Qin looked at him seriously and pulled out a pack of cigarettes, “Though unnecessary, since it’s already delivered, handle it with care.”

“It might be better to return it.”

“I just love wasting money! Perhaps… it’s a little quirk of the wealthy?”

The carrier looked at him, fell silent for a long time, feeling a bit mocked, then continued upstairs with the cradle.

At that moment, the little rich girl also ran up energetically. She was dressed in black stockings and black leather shoes, paired with a short skirt and a light pink thin sweater, a mix of innocent yet suggestive.

Watching the worker install it, she couldn’t help but rock it slightly. Her squinted eyes gleamed with a mischievous gleam, but when Jiang Qin asked what she was thinking, she claimed she didn’t know and felt a bit silly.

Feng Shihua and Qin Jingqiu also arrived soon after, feeling slightly out of touch with the young couple’s way of loving.

“Has Feng Shihua returned?”

“Yes, everything’s set. Joy City is about to start construction.”

Feng Shihua knew yesterday about his arrival but didn’t mention meeting Jiang Qin again.

He felt it was no longer necessary.

He had once looked forward to Feng Shihua returning and giving more attention to Feng Nanshu and hoped that Duan Ying would regret her past errors.

But later he realized that such care is not about proximity or distance.

However, that’s all insignificant now. If it’s his niece’s due, someone would personally get it for her, by begging or even by force if needed.

Most importantly, this person could strongly make Duan Ying regret her actions.

Feng Shihua crossed his arms, his gaze fixed ahead.

Jiang Qin was currently crouching in front of the cradle, giving it a couple of shakes. His voice hissed as if he had been scalded.

“What’s this side latch for?”

“You can lower this panel, then put Jiang Ainan on it, makes it easy to change her diapers.”

As Feng Nanshu spoke, she flattened the panel at the tail end and, after she was done, looked at Jiang Qin, who was now squinting, “Didn’t you say your aunt insisted on buying this?”

The little rich girl nodded seriously, “Yes, my aunt insisted, I couldn’t stop her.”

“Then how do you know what it’s used for?”

“I’m smar…”

“No, wait, maybe I’m not smart!”

Feng Nanshu was startled by her own words and quickly corrected herself.

Jiang Qin watched her, thinking she resembled the dumb girl from “Magic Cellphone,” able to switch modes on the fly.

“Aunt, what’s this side latch for?”

Qin Jingqiu glanced at it, “I don’t know, maybe it’s just for looks.”

Jiang Qin roared, turning to Feng Nanshu, “Even aunt doesn’t know, only you do, little rich girl, you’re bold now, making people take the blame willy-nilly.”

“It wasn’t me who insisted on buying it. I didn’t study it much, nor did I consult the after-sales staff. None at all.”

Feng Nanshu muttered, squatting on the ground.

Jiang Qin pinched her cheek: “Lying actually makes your nose grow!”

The little rich girl touched her nose, “You’re tricking me.”

“It seems like you not only studied it thoroughly but also consulted the salesperson.”

Feng Nanshu squinted, “It was all aunt’s doing.”

Qin Jingqiu: “?”

That day when she and Feng Nanshu were shopping, it was actually this young girl who saw the cradle and dashed towards it. Qin wore high heels that day and almost couldn’t keep up.

Jiang Qin fell silent for a moment before standing up and giving the cradle a couple more shakes, chuckling a bit. Then he shook it again, seemingly stirring ripples in his heart.

Feng Nanshu squatted beside, looking up at him, “You seem a bit deceitful.”

“You seem to be accusing others first.”

Feng Nanshu looked up at him, and seeing the sunlight fall on his left shoulder, she squinted and didn’t refute.

She had been afraid to come to Shanghai in the past, even resistant to visiting her aunt.

Since she was eight until she transferred to a high school in Jizhou, she lived in Shanghai and had to face her stepmother daily.

Hence, every visit here made her anxious, eager to leave quickly.

During the 2008 holiday, the little rich girl came to Shanghai to see her aunt, panicked, wanting to return to Jiang Qin, which led her aunt to uncover her secret lifelong friend.

Thus, the bustling Shanghai wasn’t so beautiful for her.

But she’s not afraid anymore, knowing as long as the big bear is around, she will be irrationally protected.

She can be happy and mischievous, no longer afraid of being punished.

Aunt and uncle felt her brother aimed to avenge her causing their restaurant’s disappearance, but Feng Nanshu thought maybe he just wanted to show her not to be scared, her brother could punch anyone.

The little rich girl blinked her moist eyes then pushed the cradle, seeing it wobble.

In the afternoon, Jiang Qin visited Wanzhong Group and took He Yijun and Qin Zhihuan out for dinner.

This was planned earlier but got delayed due to unforeseen events. With his return to Linchuan imminent, Jiang Qin decided to catch up on this meal.

Old He now stopped calling him President Jiang, affectionately referring to him as a relative.

“When will the main building of Group-Buy be completed?”

“End of the year. We’ve focused all our resources on your headquarters’ construction, even delaying the start at Wanshui Meeting.”

Jiang Qin patted He Yijun’s shoulder, “We’re all family.”

He Yijun chuckled, “I got confused there, thought you were skimming steel for a while. Poverty really limits my imagination; turns out you want all of Wanzhong.”

Jiang Qin frowned at him, “Why so many quips? Are you studying for a graduate exam?”

“Let’s drop this topic. I’ve got news – remember you asked me to increase our share in Dadi Cinema? I did, and also brought in IMAX theaters, giant screen halls, and Dolby cinemas for use in the Wanshui Meeting cinema system.”

“Are we the first?”

“First to be fully authorized in the country, mainly thanks to Group-Buy.”

He Yijun continued, “Those foreigners were initially reluctant to authorize us, but they loosened up once they knew you were a shareholder.”

Jiang Qin nodded, “Didn’t expect them to have such foresight.”

“This investment nearly broke our cash flow.”

“Don’t worry, Old He, it’ll pay off.”

Dadi Cinema is a domestic cinema chain with theaters nationwide, also involved in movie investments.

When Public Review initially attempted to use a public opinion campaign to crush Group-Buy, many well-known merchants suddenly ditched them, later proven to be brands of the Linchuan Business Group, including Dadi Cinemas.

But Dadi Cinema, based in Shanghai, had no ties to Linchuan yet got involved which baffled many.

In fact, when the first Wanzhong Mall in Shanghai was being built, Jiang Qin had discussed the importance of cinemas, so Wanzhong Group invested heavily in Dadi Cinema.

A mall with an IMAX or giant screen can attract exceptional traffic.

Especially in the following years, with explosive growth in the movie industry, such complexes can attract massive foot traffic – after all, “Wolf Warrior” grossed 5.7 billion.

“Feng Corporation’s Joy City project is also negotiating with Dadi Cinema. They hope to build an IMAX cinema on the top floor of their mall.”

“This unseen Mr. Feng seems to have some insight.”

Qin Zhihuan entered the private room with two bottles of wine, overhearing the conversation, “Isn’t that unseen Mr. Feng your father-in-law?”

Jiang Qin squinted, “He doesn’t count!”

Qin Zhihuan chuckled then sat down, “Your father-in-law doesn’t just have insight; he trusts you.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“The Joy City project almost entirely replicates our Wanzhong Mall in Kyoto, including the rooftop cinema idea. They copied it too.”

Jiang Qin poured a drink for He Yijun, “And then?”

He Yijun filled Qin Zhihuan’s glass and added, “Afterwards, Group-Buy Delivery suddenly targeted the college student market, striking Meal Point. Rumors spread of disharmony between you and Feng Corporation. Dadi cleverly rejected collaboration.”

“I didn’t mean that.”

“I know, but others might not think so. That’s why Joy City’s leasing work is so tough.”

“What’s going on with that?”

“Think about it. The mainstream market brands are practically those you cultivated during the group-buying wars.”

He Yijun counted on his fingers, “The hottest hotpot is our River Hotpot, the trendiest milk tea is your friend’s Xitian, not to mention Fresh Meet, Béland Desserts, etc., and all are pondering what you think. Joy City’s negotiations are very difficult.”

Attracting tenants for large malls doesn’t start only after construction but during.

Many malls under construction display brands that have successfully leased on the surrounding boards to attract more brands.

However, as He Yijun said, the market’s hottest brands were all cultivated by Jiang Qin.

For some brands, Jiang Qin even invested through the Golden Phoebe Foundation.

Now rumors of discord between Group-Buy and Feng Corporation circulate, complicating Joy City’s collaborative talks.

When these hot brands are hard to negotiate, other brands hesitate more without the assured foot traffic from the hot brands.

Jiang Qin’s mouth twitched, “You make me sound like I’m Donnie Yen ready to thrash my father-in-law.”

“You said it yourself.”

“Never mind, let’s drop the topic. I’m kind-hearted and can’t handle a harsh word.”

Qin Zhihuan stood, pouring him a drink, “Wanshui Meeting is about to start leasing. After you return to Linchuan, tell them to arrange a meeting. Have each brand send a manager to select spots. We’ll draft the preliminary layout plan.”

If Joy City’s leasing manager were here, hearing this would make his scalp tingle and bring him to tears.

Their tough individual negotiations contrast starkly with Wanshui Meeting’s approach of wrapping brands together without needing to run around.

It’s like the classic case of the dry drowning and the flooded sinking.

After listening, Jiang Qin promised to look into it, “I’ve been studying new business district operation models, planning to upgrade Xihan Heqing to version 4.0. This will be a bargain for Mr. He!”

He Yijun’s mouth twisted, “If you and Feng Nanshu get married, you’d hold a 53% stake. Then I’d truly be just an employee!”

Qin Zhihuan chuckled then asked, “What’s 4.0?”

“You know Burger King’s Crazy Thursday, right?”

“Yes, their marketing is amazing. Every Thursday, the crowd at Burger King doubles.”

Jiang Qin nodded, “I plan to have River Hotpot go crazy on Mondays, Green Sichuan Pepper Fish go nuts on Tuesdays, Western Barbecue wild on Wednesdays, and then all other brands join for a frenzy on Fridays.”

Listening, Qin Zhihuan’s scalp tingled, “Damn, that’s constant craziness! I’m worried patrons won’t have enough money for us to take.”

“Exactly. Don’t let a single penny wander idle. That’s Group-Buy’s corporate culture. Plus, every store in the mall has a customer capacity limit. The overflow is diverted to other stores, achieving a win-win situation.”

“What about weekends?”

Jiang Qin waves his hand: “Weekends can’t be crazy. If every day is crazy, then nothing is really crazy.”

After hearing this, they both raise their glasses in a toast and after a few rounds of light drinks, night deepens.

He Yijun, having been in the mall business for years and dealing with various suppliers, has a strong tolerance for alcohol. Qin Zhihuan, who helps Qin Jingqiu with real estate, is equally skilled in drinking.

Jiang Qin, who never gets drunk outside, finds himself red-faced and foolish after a drink-off.

Both He Yijun and Qin Zhihuan also had their fill and couldn’t drive, so they decided to stay overnight since the surrounding commercial district consisted of their own brands.

However, Jiang Qin waves them off, refusing to stay: “I have to… go back to Xiangti. Call me a cab.”

“President Jiang, you can go back tomorrow.”

“No, I can’t. I’m missing the little rich girl…”

At this moment, He Yijun, slightly drunk, stares at the ceiling and says to no one in particular: “I told you, they’re bound to get married. I’m definitely just going to be a worker.”