WWFILABR 51 to 60

 Chapter 51: Student Union Recruitment

TL: Etude

“What a lousy senior, using his position in the Student Union to flirt with young girls. I’ll show him by becoming the Student Union president tomorrow.”

After Zhou Chao finished his story, Ren Ziqiang immediately cursed in response, then fiercely puffed on his cigarette before flipping onto his bed and wrapping himself in his blanket.

But he forgot it was summer, and being swaddled in a blanket was even more uncomfortable than a heartbreak.

Ren Ziqiang couldn’t endure it for more than five seconds and gave up. He emerged and stared at the ceiling for a long time before taking out his phone and changing his QQ status.

[I’m out, and once I’m out, it’s for a lifetime!!]

Zhou Chao then picked up the conversation: “Speaking of the Student Union, I think I saw a notice in the group about them recruiting new members tomorrow afternoon. Who’s going?”

“Not me. I’m born to be a leader, to lead others, not to be led!” Cao Guangyu declared with a look of pride.

“Old Jiang, are you going?”

Jiang Qin, coming out of the bathroom, pondered for a moment before shaking his head: “No, I’m swamped tomorrow.”

Zhou Chao pursed his lips: “I heard that the Student Union of our university is quite prestigious, with a lot of power. After enduring a year and becoming a senior, it’ll be easier to find a partner.”

“I don’t need to find a partner,” Jiang Qin said, meaning he wasn’t interested in relationships. But this reminded Zhou Chao of the celestial beauty Feng Nanshu, leading him to retract into his shell in despair.

Damn, I can’t talk about relationships with Old Jiang. His insights are too blunt, and it’s a rude awakening.

At this moment, Jiang Qin turned over to his bed, preparing to set an alarm on his phone before sleeping, when he noticed a pixelated penguin icon bouncing in the top right corner of his screen.

Opening it, he found a QQ message from Jiang Tian.

This girl, he thought, had been messaging him a lot lately, for no apparent reason.

Jiang Tian: Jiang Qin, why don’t you ever chat in the class group?

Jiang Qin: There’s a class group?

Jiang Tian: Yes, you’re in it, but I’ve never seen you there.

Jiang Qin: I’ve been too busy lately, no time for my phone. Is something up?

Jiang Tian: Just wondering, our Finance Department’s Student Union is selecting new members tomorrow. Do you want to join us?

Jiang Qin: No, I’m not good enough. What if they make me the president? I can’t handle that.

Jiang Tian, sitting on her dorm bed, felt disappointed reading the message on her phone.

Initially, she thought Jiang Qin was a bit low, envying a three thousand yuan phone and making exaggerated exclamations in the classroom, lacking in composure.

But later, she realized that wasn’t the whole story.

Especially when she saw him being fought over by two campus beauties and flirting with the angelic girl from the next class, she became inexplicably curious about Jiang Qin, wanting to know what made him special.

The boys in her class would chat up girls in the group every night, calling them beauties and sweethearts.

But Jiang Qin had never said a word, always lurking, busy with his mysterious affairs.

So, Jiang Tian had been taking the initiative to message him, trying to get to know him better, but he never gave her the chance.

Of course, she wasn’t the only one noticing Jiang Qin’s uniqueness.

Just one week into the semester, even before military training ended, when some couldn’t even name all their classmates, the girls’ dorm often discussed Jiang Qin as a nightly topic.

He had an air of aloofness, yet somehow, he wasn’t off-putting. Truly intriguing.

“So, Tian Tian, is Jiang Qin joining the Student Union?”

Jiang Tian shook her head, “He said he’s not going, afraid someone might elect him as the Student Union president.”

Song Qingqing almost laughed out loud, “Student Union president? He wishes. That’s hilarious.”

“Can’t you tell he’s joking?”

“So what? I still think so!”

Jiang Tian pouted, “Why didn’t you say that when the girl from Class 4 was around?”

Song Qingqing’s face darkened at the memory of being splashed in the face, “What’s the point of being good at deceiving girls? It just means he’s good with words. I secretly checked his profile; he’s just from an ordinary family, nothing special.”

Pan Xiu pondered for a moment, “But I always feel Jiang Qin doesn’t seem like he’s from an ordinary family.”

Jiang Tian couldn’t help but nod, “I also sense an unusual calmness and grandeur about Jiang Qin, different from other guys I’ve met.”

“Hey, hey, hey, are you serious? That guy is clearly just putting on airs, and you believe that?”

“Qingqing, are you upset because Jiang Qin has overshadowed you a few times, so you get irritated every time we talk about him?” Jiang Tian hit the nail on the head.

Song Qingqing was taken aback and quickly turned her head away, saying no more.

The next morning, Jiang Qin’s alarm clock went off under Zhou Chao’s pillow, waking him up with a string of curses, asking whose phone it was. Jiang Qin was woken up by the commotion, thinking to himself that the alarm was indeed effective.

After getting up, he went to the bathroom to wash up, only to find Ren Ziqiang styling his hair, the whole bathroom filled with the smell of hair gel.

“Old Ren, you’re alive?”

Ren Ziqiang nodded excitedly, “I asked Liu Xiaojuan this morning. She said that dog Xu is actually after Song Qingqing. He approached Pan Xiu just to gather information!”

Jiang Qin was surprised, “Who’s Liu Xiaojuan?”

“The one who was distributing military training uniforms next to Old Cao, as tall as him. Remember, Cao shamelessly asked if she was also 1.8 meters tall.”

“Oh, I kind of remember,” Jiang Qin said, squeezing toothpaste onto his brush, “So you’re saying you still have a chance?”

“Of course, I’m planning to ask Pan Xiu to join me for the Student Union interview today. It’s a chance to get closer!”

After being woken up, Zhou Chao couldn’t fall back asleep and poked his head out from the bed, “Didn’t Pan Xiu say a few days ago she’s not familiar with you? Why are you still trying so hard?”

Ren Ziqiang pursed his lips, “That’s how girls are these days, cold on the outside but hot on the inside. They say yes when they mean no, and no when they mean yes.”

“Who said that famous quote?” Zhou Chao found it oddly reasonable, as some girls did seem insincere.

“It’s from that website Old Jiang showed us. A female user replied to me. Girls understand girls best. Bro, I’m definitely getting a girlfriend tonight! What do you think, Old Jiang?”

Jiang Qin gave him a strange look, “Sounds perfect. Pan Xiu must be madly in love with you, dying to have your children right away.”

“Hehehe…”

“Have you thought of a name for the child?”

Ren Ziqiang wiped his mouth, “Let’s call it Ren Aipan.”

Jiang Qin nodded, thinking to himself that Ren really was one of a kind, a true talent at Linchuan University.Chapter 52: Tired, Seeking Sponsorship

TL: Etude

In the early morning at Linchuan University, a gentle breeze rustled the lush leaves on the trees.

Jiang Qin arrived at College Second Road in the faint morning light, watching the college students jogging and feeling a vibrant vitality washing over him.

He had arranged to meet Dong Wenhao and Pang Hai from the design department at the campus to discuss promotion strategies.

How should the posters be designed?

What specific methods of promotion should be used?

How could the promotional effects be maximized?

After all, it was almost Monday, and Jiang Qin had military training to attend, with no possibility of taking leave. He didn’t want to cut corners, so he had to arrange everything in advance, delegating tasks to ensure nothing was neglected.

Dong Wenhao, responsible for the website content, was not skilled in promotion, but Jiang Qin included him nonetheless.

Partly because Pang Hai was Dong Wenhao’s friend, which made communication easier.

Moreover, Jiang Qin found Dong Wenhao thoughtful, with strong organizational skills and decent character. He wanted Dong to feel more involved in Zhihu’s development, hoping this would evolve into a sense of belonging. Eventually, he planned to poach him from the Literature Club to manage content exclusively.

Fifteen minutes later, Jiang Qin arrived at the girls’ dormitory.

Feng Nanshu had been waiting downstairs after receiving Jiang Qin’s call. She wore a Chanel dress today, with a pure white skirt and ethnic-style embroidery on the upper part. The sleeves were made of chiffon, adding a serene grace to her demeanor. The black ribbon tied in a bow at the neck added a touch of elegance amidst her purity.

Jiang Qin paused, feeling amazed every time he saw the little rich lady, wondering how such a lovely face came to be.

No wonder she could stir even a heart sealed in concrete…

Why was she so clingy to him?

Why did the thought of it make him feel strangely exhilarated?

Jiang Qin couldn’t help but recall Feng Nanshu’s question on the website the night before, his expression turning serious. He thought to himself, your friendship seems to be taking a different turn.

After meeting Feng Nanshu, they headed to the Linchuan University library.

Jiang Qin found a spot to sit down and handed her a milk tea he had bought on the way: “Be good today, okay? Find a book to read on your own. I have to discuss some matters with others.”

“Okay.”

Feng Nanshu agreed readily, then browsed the shelves, returning with a few books to read quietly without causing any disturbance.

However, her presence unsettled the male students in the library, their gazes frequently drifting towards her.

Jiang Qin didn’t hesitate to stare back at anyone who looked their way. After three minutes, his eyes grew tired, but the number of glances towards Feng Nanshu kept increasing.

Then Dong Wenhao and Pang Hai arrived.

Jiang Qin refocused and went straight to the point, sharing his promotional plan without any pleasantries.

“The weather is getting hot, so I’m thinking of printing promotional posters on fans. This would likely increase their retention rate, as people generally don’t discard them easily. If everyone has one, it will be visible all over the streets. Even those who don’t have one might become curious due to the effect of having a common item.”

“…”

Jiang Qin, realizing the dazed expressions of his companions, asked, “Dong, Pang, are you listening to me?”

Dong Wenhao and Pang Hai snapped out of their trance, shifting their gaze from Feng Nanshu and wiping the drool from their mouths, their eyes filled with awe: “Junior, who is she? She’s incredibly beautiful!”

Jiang Qin glanced at Feng Nanshu: “She’s mine, so look less!”

Feng Nanshu obediently nodded: “His.”

“…”

Dong Wenhao and Pang Hai exchanged glances, recalling the girls they had met at the East Campus, thinking bitterly about the stark disparities in life.

This junior is already this colorful in his first year, what will happen in his sophomore and junior years?

No wonder he had been so confident about the average looks of the girls at the East Campus. In front of such a girl, who would dare mention ‘beauty’?

“By the way, Junior, if I heard correctly, did you just say you want to make fans?”

Pang Hai managed to refocus, suddenly realizing the key point in the previous conversation.

“Yes, is there a problem?”

Jiang Qin had no experience in this area and everything was based on his assumptions, but from Pang Hai’s reaction, it seemed not so simple.

“To be honest, it’s easy to print flyers and posters, but irregularly shaped prints like fans are difficult. Without professional equipment, it’s impossible. You’ll need to find a professional printing company. I can handle the design, but you’ll have to personally negotiate the printing.”

Jiang Qin nodded thoughtfully: “Do you know any printing factories you can introduce to me?”

“I do. I met a few during my part-time jobs. I’ll send you their addresses.”

Pang Hai took out his phone and sent the addresses: “After you negotiate, have them contact me to coordinate. I’m familiar with the process, but about the cost…”

“Don’t be so mercenary, Pang. My boss here, a rich second generation, won’t let you down,” Dong Wenhao interjected with a raised eyebrow.

“Right, of course!”

Jiang Qin’s mouth twitched, thinking to himself that this was a clear case of upping the price.

However, he preferred dealing with straightforward university students who would sincerely complete the task once paid, unlike some sly figures in society who took money but didn’t deliver. Jiang Qin was quite willing to solve problems with money.

After finishing their discussion, Jiang Qin left the campus with Feng Nanshu, planning to visit the printing factory.

He only had this afternoon free, so the sooner, the better.

The weekend temperature was extremely high, and the sun was intense. As soon as Jiang Qin stepped out of the campus, he complained: “I should have bought a car. It’s so annoying that taxis aren’t allowed on the pedestrian streets of the university town.”

“A car?”

Jiang Qin glanced at Feng Nanshu and then smirked: “Having a car would be much more convenient. We could go anywhere, even to distant places for fun. Isn’t that tempting? Beg me, and I might just buy one.”

“…”

Feng Nanshu gave him a look and then started tapping on her phone.

Two minutes later, a black Bentley approached from the street corner and smoothly stopped in front of them.

A middle-aged man in a black suit and white gloves, who was Feng Nanshu’s personal chauffeur, got out of the car.

“Miss, good afternoon.”

“Master Jiang, long time no see.”

Jiang Qin was stunned, immediately recognizing him as Uncle Gong, Feng Nanshu’s driver. He had previously driven them to a hot spring town.

Was this the grandeur of a rich heiress? Quite impressive.

“Uncle Gong, why are you still in Linchuan?”

Uncle Gong smiled and nodded: “We never left. We rented a house in the small community in front of the school gate, so we can be here quickly if Miss needs anything.”

Feng Nanshu quietly tugged at Jiang Qin’s sleeve, her eyes clear and focused on him: “We have a car now.”

Indeed, they had a car. But suddenly, Jiang Qin felt a little less motivated, his eyes pleading for sponsorship.Chapter 53: Jiang Qin’s Far-reaching Endeavors

TL: Etude

Half an hour later, a group of three, following the address, arrived at a printing factory named ‘Shengshi Advertising’.

It was one of the larger printing factories in Linchuan, equipped with comprehensive facilities and a variety of designs. The type of advertising fan Jiang Qin wanted to create was available here, with several different types on offer.

The workers in the factory, all somewhat discerning, immediately noticed the Bentley pulling up. Quickly, one of them left their work to call the person in charge.

The factory manager, not daring to neglect such visitors, hurried out to warmly welcome Jiang Qin and even invited him to tour the workshop.

He was convinced he had encountered a major client.

After all, anyone who arrives in a Bentley is surely a significant customer, right?

They inquired about the prices: round fans were one yuan each, while folding fans were two and a half to five yuan each, with discounts for large orders.

Linchuan University had over sixty thousand undergraduate students. After some thought, Jiang Qin decided to start with an order of ten thousand round fans to test the waters, foregoing the folding fans as they were more expensive and less durable.

Moreover, promotion shouldn’t rely solely on assumptions. One might think that distributing fans would ensure they wouldn’t be discarded, but reality could prove otherwise. Therefore, it was essential to balance ideals with reality, making the first batch reasonably sized.

“Jiang Qin, the folding fans look nice.”

Feng Nanshu picked up a sample folding fan, opened it in front of her face, revealing only her clear, lively eyes.

Jiang Qin’s breath hitched for a moment, suddenly appreciating the beauty of the phrase ‘the beauty behind the fan’.

This girl was simply too enchanting. How could the folding fan compare to her beauty?

Meanwhile, Uncle Gong stood beside the Bentley, hands clasped in front of him, watching his young mistress following Jiang Qin around, his eyes filled with a complex emotion.

He had never seen the young mistress so happy.

Maybe the second madam was right. It would be best for the young mistress to marry an ordinary person and stay away from endless conflicts.

…

At two o’clock in the afternoon, under the intense sun, a large group of students poured out of the main entrance of the A Zone Comprehensive Building.

Leading the group was Song Qingqing, followed by Jiang Tian, Pan Xiu, and a few other girls, alongside the Student Union’s Publicity Department Head, Xu Junli, a long-haired, middle-parted young man.

Trailing behind them were the disheartened Ren Ziqiang, the cursing Cao Guangyu, and the pouting, disgruntled Zhou Chao.

They had just finished their interviews for the Student Union and were now heading to the cafeteria for lunch.

“Your performances in today’s interviews were excellent. Joining the Student Union should be no problem. You’ll need to submit application forms to the department teachers, and I’ll notify you once there’s news.”

“Our Finance Department is one of the largest in Linchuan University, with five key majors and five focus majors, so the Student Union holds significant power. Many are desperate to join. Your choice is definitely wise. However, there have been instances in the past where candidates performed well in interviews but were still eliminated. But don’t worry, I’ll speak well of you to the Academic Director.”

Xu Junli spoke with an air of authority, his words implying a clear message.

Joining the Student Union has many benefits, but competition is fierce. However, rest assured, I, your gallant and confident senior, hold considerable sway in the Student Union.

Hearing this, the girls standing close by began to harbor a slight fascination for this mature, elegant, and confident senior.

“Senior, that watch you’re wearing looks really nice,” Song Qingqing suddenly remarked.

Xu Junli smiled subtly, casually rolling up his sleeve, “Longines, a fairly approachable brand. It cost me fifteen thousand when I bought it.”

“Fifteen thousand for a watch?” Pan Xiu exclaimed in surprise.

Song Qingqing glanced at her with a hint of pride, “Those who have money don’t care about the price. They only care about what they like.”

Xu Junli nodded gently, “Song junior is right. What matters most is liking it. If it’s something I fancy, I would buy it even if the price were doubled.”

“Doubled, so that’s thirty thousand? Senior, your family must be quite wealthy, right?”

“It’s decent. We own a few supermarket franchises, a hotel, and two coffee shops.”

Pan Xiu’s mouth formed an ‘O’, her eyes sparkling with admiration.

These days, just being handsome was already lethal. But a handsome guy with good taste and wealth to boot was a veritable campus heartthrob.

Ren Ziqiang, who had come for the interview with Pan Xiu, hoping to spend more time with her and deepen their relationship, couldn’t help but snort coldly upon overhearing their conversation. All of Pan Xiu’s attention was now captivated by Xu.

It’s just some family wealth. What’s so great about that?

Cao Guangyu also looked annoyed. Considering himself a rich second-generation from Hangcheng, he detested others flaunting their wealth in front of him.

A Longines watch for fifteen thousand and bragging about it? Ridiculous!

Zhou Chao was even more displeased. Being shown off to by someone of the same gender, especially when they were trying to charm girls from his class, was irritating.

“Damn show-off senior,” muttered Ren Ziqiang under his breath.

Cao Guangyu nodded in agreement, “He’s just showing off that watch on purpose. Who walks around with their arm raised unless they’re smoking?”

Zhou Chao sighed, “I miss Jiang. Although he also shows off sometimes, he does it naturally, without leaving a trace and without being annoying!”

“Yeah, if only Jiang were here, he would put him in his place!”

It was strange, they all knew that Jiang Qin came from an ordinary family, without luxury watches or even a current model smartphone, but they instinctively felt that Jiang could outshine this Xu.

Despite Cao Guangyu’s usual bravado and lack of respect for Jiang, even he had to admit this point.

Meanwhile, Song Qingqing and Pan Xiu had changed spots, with Song gently taking Jiang Tian’s hand, “How do you feel?”

“About what?” Jiang Tian looked confused.

“About men from extraordinary families. Jiang Qin pales in comparison to him, right?”

Jiang Tian, half amused, half frustrated, replied, “Are you still hung up on last night’s topic?”

Song Qingqing let out a cold laugh, “Didn’t you say that Jiang Qin didn’t seem like a guy from an ordinary family? Now that you’ve seen a real rich second-generation, what do you think? Still think he’s extraordinary?”

“I was talking about his temperament.”

“Temperament? So, you think the senior with the luxury watch has less of it than Jiang Qin?”

Jiang Tian sighed, regretting bringing up Jiang Qin the previous night, “Yes, you’re right. Happy now?”

Song Qingqing’s face lit up with smug satisfaction, “So, Jiang Qin is just putting on airs, completely exposed when compared to a real rich second-generation.”

“Qingqing, you shouldn’t always nitpick Jiang Qin just because you’ve had a setback with him.”

“I’m not. His ordinary background is a fact. Is it wrong to speak the truth?”Chapter 54: The Unremarkable Young Master Jiang

TL: Etude

“Senior, what exactly does the publicity department do?”

“Do you have a girlfriend, Senior?”

“Senior, you’re from the same hometown as me, right? Which neighborhood?”

During the walk from the comprehensive building to the second cafeteria, the girls from the finance department surrounded Senior Xu, bombarding him with questions, giving him the star treatment.

At that moment, a black Bentley drove past them, slowly proceeding along College Second Road and eventually stopping at the main entrance of the cafeteria, drawing everyone’s attention.

This car, with its unfamiliar out-of-town license plate, technically shouldn’t have been allowed in, but the gatekeeper didn’t dare stop it, nor did the patrolling security guards dare to inquire, allowing it to enter unabashedly.

“Wow, that black car looks so imposing. I didn’t see the brand; what kind of car is it?”

“Just look at the hubcaps and you’ll know. It’s Bentley, a top-tier luxury car brand from England,” Xu Junli casually remarked.

Pan Xiu’s eyes lit up when she heard ‘luxury car’: “Senior, what kind of car does your family have? Is it also a top-tier luxury car?”

Xu Junli couldn’t help but touch his nose: “A car like that would probably cost several million. Ordinary families can’t afford it. Though my family could buy one, there’s no need to spend all our money on a car. After all, it’s just a means of transportation.”

“Being able to afford it is already impressive. Not many families can afford a Bentley nowadays,” Song Qingqing couldn’t help but play along.

“There’s nothing impressive about it. I usually keep a low profile at school and don’t reveal much about my family. I don’t want to put pressure on my friends.”

Hearing this, Ren Ziqiang, Cao Guangyu, and Zhou Chao behind him were so infuriated they almost drew knives.

You’re calling yourself low-key?

You’ve been bragging the whole way, and we’re sick of hearing it!

And your wrist, always showing off that watch, don’t you ever put it down? Doesn’t holding it up like that make your arm sore?

You flaunt and pretend to be humble, trying to act like a saint when you’re anything but.

But, Xu Junli’s skills are indeed superior to Cao Guangyu’s, and many girls genuinely fell for this act, eliciting several wows from the crowd, making Xu Junli quite pleased, his smile growing wider.

“See, that’s a real rich and handsome guy, much more elegant than those who pretend to be aloof when they have nothing,” Song Qingqing couldn’t resist another jab at Jiang Tian.

As soon as she finished speaking, the left rear door of the black Bentley suddenly opened.

Under everyone’s gaze, Jiang Qin emerged from the car, his left hand on the door frame and his right hand holding a promotional fan casually taken from a printing shop.

Feng Nanshu wanted to follow him, but he gently pushed her back into the car.

“It’s too hot at noon, let Uncle Gong drive you back to the dorm. Come out and play when it’s cooler in the evening.”

“Oh.”

Feng Nanshu responded softly, casting a longing glance through the car window before the car drove away.

Meanwhile, the group preparing to cross the road froze, staring bewilderedly at the figure fanning himself.

What’s going on…

Is that Jiang Qin from their class, brought in by a Bentley?

“What a coincidence, are you guys here too?”

Hearing Jiang Qin’s voice, Song Qingqing suddenly felt suffocated, the humiliation of being splashed in the face a few days ago resurfacing. She instinctively clung to Jiang Tian’s arm, seemingly seeking some sense of reality.

Jiang Qin walked over, first addressing Cao Guangyu: “You just had surgery on Monday, and you’re already out of bed today?”

Cao Guangyu was almost tearful: “It’s fantastic, really damn fantastic.”

“Does it really feel good after a circumcision? Is it true? I thought the doctor said you needed to rest in bed for half a month.”

“No, no, I meant your arrival is just fantastic!”

Ren Ziqiang and Zhou Chao strongly agreed, nodding fervently along with Cao Guangyu.

They had just endured a whole journey of pretense from Xu Junli, bottling up their frustration, only to turn around and see Jiang Qin arriving in a Bentley, overshadowing everything effortlessly. They were thrilled inside.

What did a 15,000-yuan Longines watch or owning three supermarkets and a hotel matter in front of a Bentley?

It was genuinely satisfying; they had never thought that witnessing their roommate show off could be so enjoyable.

Jiang Qin’s arrival was subtly elegant and impeccable.

Jiang Qin looked at his roommates’ teary-eyed expressions, somewhat baffled: “What exactly are you finding so satisfying?”

“That Bentley is yours, isn’t it? Why don’t you tell everyone about your family? How many supermarkets and hotels do you own?” Cao Guangyu deliberately raised his voice, glancing at Xu Junli nearby.

Jiang Qin was momentarily stunned but quickly caught on.

Damn, Cao’s old habit of showing off in front of others was kicking in again, hinting for him to play along.

He wasn’t a bad person, just had this peculiar hobby. If Jiang didn’t go along with it, Cao would be miserable all day.

“Alright, no more pretending. Let’s be clear: I am the unremarkable Young Master Jiang.”

Cao Guangyu was delighted, thinking, ‘This is the understanding between brothers!’

Meanwhile, Zhou Chao and Ren Ziqiang felt a tingling sensation on their scalps.

Young Master Jiang, indeed, but adding ‘unremarkable’ to it was too much!

“Old Jiang, with your wealth, if you joined the student union, you should be the president. A ministerial position doesn’t suit you,” Cao Guangyu hinted, his words aimed at Xu Junli.

Jiang Qin missed the sarcasm and instead responded: “So, you got out of bed just to attend the student union interview? Didn’t you say you wouldn’t go? How did it go?”

Xu Junli suddenly spoke up: “It went well, there’s a high chance I’ll pass.”

“Who are you? Are you in our class?” Jiang Qin found the man before him unfamiliar.

“Let me introduce myself. I’m Xu Junli, a junior, your upperclassman. I’m currently the head of the publicity department in the student union.”

Xu Junli introduced himself politely and with ease. After all, someone who arrives in a Bentley is worth befriending. Connections like these are invaluable, even after graduating.

Jiang Qin suddenly realized: “Oh, so you’re that Senior Xu. You seem quite nice.”

“No, no, just offering some help. After all, new students like you might not be familiar with the school. It’s my duty as a student leader.”

Jiang Qin nodded in understanding, then turned to Cao Guangyu, Ren Ziqiang, and Zhou Chao: “Are you guys heading to the cafeteria or back to the dorm?”

“Let’s eat. I’ve been starving after the morning’s interview.”

Jiang Qin nodded at his roommate’s response: “Okay, then you guys eat slowly. I’m leaving now. Senior Xu, we’ll meet again when we have time.”

Xu Junli nodded gracefully: “No problem. If you encounter any issues in the department, just come to me. I can solve them all for you!”

“Jiang Qin, have you eaten yet?” Song Qingqing, seeing him about to leave, couldn’t help but speak up, “Why don’t you join us for lunch? My treat!”

“Forget it. The food in the cafeteria is too cheap. Eating it might spoil my mood for riding in the Bentley.”

“Oh, okay then…”

Song Qingqing looked at the fan in his hand, reading “Professional Men’s Health, Restoring Your Happiness,” yet she found him so imposing and hard to face.

“Qingqing, so this is your comparison? It’s indeed effective. Now I finally understand what an ordinary family is,” Jiang Tian couldn’t help but return her earlier sarcasm.

Song Qingqing’s face turned pale: “But he listed himself as from an ordinary family, I saw it clearly.”

“Forget it, I won’t believe you anymore.”

“…”

Song Qingqing sighed, glancing at her senior, who suddenly lowered his wrist that had been raised all this time, hiding the 15,000-yuan Longines watch in his pocket.

Indeed, the real wealthy are those who don’t leave a trace.Chapter 55: My Male Idol, I’m Swooning

TL: Etude

In high school, friendships often struggle to survive into college, unless the friends are close by or attend the same university.

However, during the new student orientation period, many feel awkward and out of place. After all, classmates come from all corners of the country, bringing with them various accents and lifestyles.

Therefore, many freshmen find comfort in their high school friends, and visits between schools are most common during this time.

Thus, on the first weekend of military training, Qin Zi’ang, Yu Shasha, Zhao Lu, Ma Bolong, and Qu Shaocong all visited Linchuan University.

Qin Zi’ang was there to court Chu Siqi, while Yu Shasha naturally came to hang out with her girlfriends.

Zhao Lu, Ma Bolong, and Qu Shaocong came out of curiosity, wanting to experience the atmosphere of a major university.

As hosts, Wang Huiru and Chu Siqi were eager to entertain them. They had originally booked a private room at Nanshan Restaurant, but Yu Shasha insisted on the unique experience of outdoor dining, so they ended up at Shiwei Tian’s outdoor stir-fry.

However, Chu Siqi seemed disinterested.

Qin Zi’ang tried to strike up a conversation with her several times, but she seemed not to hear, lacking the usual joy of a friend’s visit, as if weighed down by heavy thoughts.

“Siqi doesn’t seem very happy, does she?” Yu Shasha remarked, puzzled.

Wang Huiru sighed, “It’s been several days like this.”

“Why?”

“What else but Jiang Qin?”

Yu Shasha was surprised, “She hasn’t gotten over Jiang Qin? Didn’t they delete each other on QQ? And they’re not even on the same campus.”

Wang Huiru gestured for silence, “Shh, let’s not talk about it, or Siqi won’t eat again today.”

Yu Shasha found it unbelievable.

Chu Siqi, the proud and aloof queen, who lived for her own feelings and rarely cared about anyone else, was now so affected by a boy that she couldn’t even eat.

Jiang Qin, you’re indeed becoming more and more of a male idol.

“I remember Jiang Qin is also at Linchuan, right? And Guo Zihan isn’t far either. Why didn’t they come?”

Qu Shaocong looked around and couldn’t help but ask.

Ma Bolong looked at him disdainfully, “Are you kidding? Jiang Qin confessed to Chu Siqi and was rejected. How could he show his face?”

“I heard Jiang Qin made a lot of money over the summer. I was hoping he’d treat us!”

“Who knows if that’s true. I haven’t seen it, so I don’t believe it.”

Qin Zi’ang, hearing Jiang Qin’s name, quickly changed the subject, “Let’s order. Siqi, what would you like? I’ll order for you.”

“Anything’s fine, I’m not picky,” Chu Siqi replied listlessly.

“How about red braised lamb chops? I remember you liked that at the graduation party.”

Zhao Lu glanced at him, “Qin Zi’ang, are you treating us?”

“Why not? If I say I’m treating, then I am. I’m not short of money,” Qin Zi’ang boasted proudly.

Wang Huiru quickly interrupted, “You’re visiting us at Linchuan, so we should be treating you.”

Yu Shasha giggled, “Qin Zi’ang’s intentions aren’t on the meal, but on someone special. No need to be polite with him.”

Grateful for Yu Shasha’s assist, Qin Zi’ang asked, “Shasha, what do you like? I’ll order more.”

“I’m easy too. Ask Siqi instead. I don’t need your favor.”

“Heh heh.”

As they spoke, a stunning girl suddenly appeared. On seeing them, she hesitated, her footsteps pausing.

Simultaneously, Wang Huiru noticed her too. They locked eyes, both wearing inexplicably odd expressions.

“Huiru, you’re here too.”

“Yes, you here to eat?”

“Yes, meeting a senior from my department to discuss something.”

Hong Yan wore a Nile-colored dress, her fair, glowing skin and long, exposed legs standing out beneath the hem. She stood gracefully, instantly capturing everyone’s attention at the table.

After a brief exchange, Hong Yan did not sit down, knowing she couldn’t eat next to Chu Siqi, and so she left.

Regaining his senses, Qu Shaocong blurted out, “Wang Huiru, who was that? She’s so attractive!”

“She’s… my roommate.”

“A beauty dormitory? My goodness, she’s on the same level as Goddess Chu!”

Chu Siqi’s expression soured, but she said nothing, pretending not to hear and continued to wash the teaware.

Yu Shasha, sitting nearby, sensed something was amiss. If Hong Yan was Wang Huiru’s roommate, she should also be Chu Siqi’s. Why didn’t they greet each other?

Before Yu Shasha could inquire, Ma Bolong spoke up, “Wang Huiru, what’s your roommate’s QQ number?”

Qin Zi’ang scoffed, “Look at yourself, Ma. You think you stand a chance with a goddess like her?”

“What’s wrong with my looks? I have a fun soul!”

Smack—

Chu Siqi, visibly annoyed, slammed the cleaned chopsticks on the table, muttered about going to the restroom, and left the group.

Seeing this, everyone at the table exchanged glances, clearly sensing something was wrong.

All eyes turned to Wang Huiru.

“Huiru, is there bad blood between your roommate and Siqi?” Yu Shasha asked directly.

“Yes.”

“So soon after school started? That’s unusual.”

Wang Huiru sighed after a long silence, “Hong Yan wants to pursue Jiang Qin, but Siqi disagrees. They had a huge fight about it. Please don’t mention Hong Yan again.”

“Pursue Jiang Qin? You kidding, isn’t it the other way around?” Ma Bolong was incredulous.

“If Jiang Qin were pursuing Hong Yan, it wouldn’t have escalated like this. They had a big argument over him a few days ago and haven’t spoken since.”

Qu Shaocong was flabbergasted, “So, are Jiang Qin and Hong Yan together?”

Wang Huiru shook her head, “Jiang Qin said he’s not interested in dating, effectively rejecting Hong Yan.”

Hearing this, everyone at the table gasped.

Pursued by a campus beauty, causing two beauties to quarrel, and he even rejected her. What kind of male idol is this?

In just one summer, the gap between Jiang Qin and them had widened this much?

Yu Shasha, visualizing the scene as described by Wang Huiru, couldn’t help but take out her phone and open QQ.

“Hey~”

“?”

“Male idol, I’m at Linchuan now. When will you treat me to a meal?”

At that moment, Jiang Qin, who had just left his dorm for the tea shop to discuss work with Su Nai, frowned at the incoming message.

What was all this about?

Had Yu Shasha lost her mind?

“Senior? Did you hear what I just said?” Su Nai adjusted her glasses.

Jiang Qin snapped back, “Heard it. The promotion starts in three days. Keep an eye on the backend data for me.”

“Okay.”

Su Nai reached for the last cookie on the plate, hesitated, then asked, “Senior, do you want the last one?”

Jiang Qin pursed his lips, “Did you wash your hands?”

“Yes.”

“I hope I won’t eat anything strange.”

Su Nai paused, a mix of innocence and confusion behind her glasses.Chapter 56: Talent Show

TL: Etude

After a perfect weekend, the military training at Linchuan University continued. The morning routine included running ten laps around the field, followed by standing at attention and marching, and then executing a series of combat moves. This left the freshmen exhausted, barely able to stand or sit properly.

Jiang Qin removed his hat, revealing a sweaty forehead, and rested his hands on his bent knees.

At that moment, a slender hand reached out from behind him, offering a half bottle of Wahaha mineral water.

“Jiang Qin, want some water?”

Song Qingqing, sitting on the right rear side of the formation, leaned slightly forward, blinking her eyeliner-accentuated eyes at him.

“Never mind, Qingqing, you’ve already drunk from that one. Drink mine instead; it’s unopened.”

Jiang Tian handed over a bottle of Wahaha, her clean face slightly flushed.

Jiang Qin, having forgotten his water, gratefully accepted Jiang Tian’s and took a few sips. “Thanks, I’ll pay you back tomorrow.”

“No need to repay for a bottle of water.”

Jiang Tian’s lips curled into a smile, while Song Qingqing’s eyes held a hint of resentment.

But she quickly consoled herself.

Don’t be angry, he has a Bentley, he has a Bentley…

This scene left Zhou Chao sitting behind Jiang Qin seething with jealousy, his ice cola losing its sweetness and turning into soulless sparkling water.

“I forgot to bring water too,” Ren Ziqiang suddenly spoke.

Pan Xiu revealed her dimples, “Science says you can survive three days without water.”

“…”

After a while, the instructor, feeling enough training had been done, gathered the nearby four squads and asked if anyone wanted to showcase their talents.

Despite their bravado in the dorms, facing such a large audience made the students shy. With over two hundred people, not a single voice spoke up.

The instructor then announced that there were two hours left until the end of training. They could either watch talents for two hours or run for two hours.

This stirred the squads.

An hour of running was exhausting enough, let alone two. Talent show it was!

“Reporting, instructor, Li Cancan can dance ballet!”

“Reporting, instructor, Du Jiahao can squirt water out of his nose, it’s so cool!”

“Reporting, instructor, Jia Xiangru can dance the peacock dance!”

“Reporting, instructor, Yang Liu can sing ‘Little Dimple’!”

“Hey, hey, hey, Liu Jinghao can also sing ‘Little Dimple,’ they could do a duet!”

Betrayed by their friends, some students reluctantly performed, preferring it to running for two hours.

The young generation indeed had talent, especially the nose-water-squirter, although it was a bit disgusting.

But such a talent display meant giving up any hope of finding a partner in college. No girl would fancy a boy who squirted water from his nostrils, unless she was a bit peculiar.

The duet of ‘Little Dimple’ was a hit. The pair sang while exchanging glances, igniting the youthful atmosphere and elevating the mood.

Li Cancan’s ballet was also impressive, especially her figure, gracefully spinning and leaping, almost magical.

“Damn, it’s a good thing Old Cao didn’t come to see our training today,” Ren Ziqiang muttered to himself.

Zhou Chao turned around, “What do you mean?”

“He’s not quite over it. He’d be in agony watching this!”

Zhou Chao realized, “Ren, you’re good at putting yourself in others’ shoes.”

After a while, Song Qingqing couldn’t resist volunteering. She performed Jolin Tsai’s “Dancing Diva,” singing and dancing, drawing howls from the male students.

Hearing the cheers, Song Qingqing couldn’t help feeling proud. Her gaze naturally drifted towards her squad, only to find everyone watching her, except Jiang Qin, who kept his head down. This dimmed her spirits.

What does this man like?

“Jiang Qin, did I not dance well?” Song Qingqing returned to the formation, her voice tinged with a hint of melancholy.

“Huh? Yeah, you danced great, jumping high and far.”

“?”

Jiang Tian, who had been listening intently, couldn’t help but laugh.

Song Qingqing felt a bit embarrassed, but couldn’t muster any resentment.

If it were a boy from an ordinary family, she’d think he was faking, but Jiang Qin was different. Being a rich second generation, his aloofness seemed more justified.

But Jiang Qin’s distraction wasn’t disinterest; he had received a message from Pang Hai about the advertisement fan design, needing to coordinate with Shengshi Advertising. With the limited capabilities of 2008 cell phones, he couldn’t see the design or confirm its appropriateness.

How long would this talent show go on?

Maybe it was time for a tactical retreat to the restroom.

Just as Jiang Qin was about to raise his hand, he realized everyone around was chanting for the instructor to perform. Caught up in the enthusiasm, the instructor took off his shirt, revealing a muscular, bronzed body, and demonstrated a set of capture techniques.

The display was powerful and commanding, earning applause and cheers from the new students.

After the instructor finished, he wiped his sweat with his shirt and turned his attention back to the formation. His eyes lit up, and he pointed at Jiang Qin.

“Alright, the male student who raised his hand, come on up.”

“?????”

Jiang Qin looked around and realized he was the only one with his hand raised, with all eyes from the four squads on him.

Even Song Qingqing and Jiang Tian had a look of curious anticipation, while Feng Nanshu from the neighboring squad stood up, gazing at him with lively eyes.

But he only wanted to use the restroom…

As for talent…

What even is talent?

But now, it was too late to escape. Admitting to the instructor he needed a restroom break would be too embarrassing.

Jiang Qin put on his hat and calmly walked up to the instructor.

“What’s your name?”

“Jiang Qin.”

“What talent will you showcase?”

“Reporting, instructor, I can do an imitation show.”

“Imitate what?”

“You, instructor.”

The formation erupted in surprise.

The instructor’s performance had been impressive, not something a non-professional could easily emulate. Could this guy really imitate him? It seemed unbelievable.

But the instructor, intrigued by the prospect of such talent at Linchuan University, stepped aside, giving Jiang Qin the stage.

“Now, I am the instructor. Remember to imagine me as him while watching. It’s an important condition, understood?”

The freshmen, unsure of his plan, nodded.

Jiang Qin, hands behind his back, walked in front of the four squads. “All troops, on my command, disperse!”

“?????”

The squads were momentarily confused, then, seizing the moment, everyone sprang up and rushed out, filling the field with deafening cheers.

Even the instructor was stunned, rushing to stop them, but with over two hundred students, it was impossible to control. The new students swiftly vacated the field, leaving the other squads bewildered.

Only Feng Nanshu remained, still expecting to watch Jiang Qin’s performance, only to be whisked away by him, leaving the field in the blink of an eye. Join my Discord: https://discord.gg/SZBqtJxcyd

 Thanks for your support!

Chapter 57: The Troublesome Client

TL: Etude

After escaping, I knew that the afternoon’s military training was doomed. Would that majestic enemy-capturing fist technique be used on me? Jiang Qin arrived at the library, threw his hat on the table, and felt a wave of relief wash over him.

The physique of a professional soldier is no joke; had I run any slower, I would have been caught.

Jiang Qin patted his chest, then turned to look at Feng Nanshu.

The little rich lady had run with him, her pert nose beaded with sweat, her face flushed like a ripe peach. After a week of military training, she had tanned slightly but was still stunningly delicate and beautiful, her imperfections overshadowed by her charm.

No, there was no time for idle thoughts.

That was just adding flowers to brocade! And then, well…

The military training outfit was loose, but the little rich lady had her charms.

Feng Nanshu bit her rosy lips, “Should I be good today and just find a book to read?”

Jiang Qin nodded as he had done before, “Yes, I’ll be busy with something soon.”

“Okay.”

Feng Nanshu wiped the sweat from her nose and ran to the shelves to pick a book. After reading a few pages, she looked at Jiang Qin with clear eyes, “Can I talk to you when I really want to?”

“You really want to talk to me?” Jiang Qin was about to call Pang Hai but felt a strange flutter in his heart upon hearing her words.

“Mhm.”

“Forget it, be good if you want to, and it’s okay to be a little naughty. But this is a library, so no loud noises.”

“I won’t be noisy.”

Actually, the little rich lady was really not troublesome at all. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been mistaken for being aloof. But she always felt that Jiang Qin’s idea of being good meant she couldn’t speak, which made her feel a bit wronged.

She really wanted to talk to Jiang Qin.

An eighteen-year-old girl, who had lived a quiet, almost reclusive life in her own little world, suddenly wanted to chatter endlessly after making a friend.

But strangely, she didn’t feel like talking when she was with Gao Wenhui.

Sigh, probably because Wenhui talked too much, non-stop, leaving no room for her to join in.

“I’ll take you for bubble tea later,” Jiang Qin casually promised.

Feng Nanshu’s eyelashes fluttered, feeling that good people should be rewarded, “Do you still want to play with my feet?”

“Shush, that’s a very private topic. We’ll have to wait until it’s dark and find a secluded place to talk about it!”

“Oh.”

“See, another free life hack from a good friend like me. Where else can you find someone like that?”

…

Pang Hai arrived at the university library ten minutes later. He had cycled all the way, arriving drenched in sweat.

With him was a sophomore girl from the Design Department, named Lu Xuemei, Pang Hai’s apprentice. She helped out with part-time work when he was too busy, but wasn’t yet capable of handling things on her own.

Pang Hai brought her to gain experience and learn how to interact with clients.

Earning money while training an apprentice, Jiang Qin’s opinion of Pang Hai rose a notch.

Linchuan University truly lived up to its reputation as a prestigious institution. Not everyone was preoccupied with romance; many were focused on careers and development, which is the hallmark of a healthy campus culture.

Then the three found a corner and discussed the design of the advertising fan.

To be honest, Jiang Qin wasn’t very satisfied with the draft. It was quite different from what he had envisioned.

“Let’s remove these red and green geometric patterns first,” Jiang Qin suggested.

Pang Hai was slightly startled and looked up at him, “Removing these will make the design very plain. It would lack any design sense, leaving only the background color and text, and the image will look quite empty.”

Jiang Qin stroked his chin, “Just enlarge the text, spread it in the middle, covering about one-third of the space.”

“Like this?”

Pang Hai worked the mouse, altering the design to Jiang Qin’s specifications. However, upon seeing the modified design, Lu Xuemei couldn’t help but frown slightly.

She thought this client didn’t understand commercial design.

Such a plain image with just a couple of large characters and a web address was too simple to be considered a design. It could even be made with PowerPoint.

“The font shouldn’t be so complex, simplify it a bit more,” Jiang Qin pointed at the title on the screen.

Pang Hai silently began modifying the draft, “How about this?”

Finally, Lu Xuemei couldn’t hold back, “This change has completely lost the original flavor.”

Jiang Qin, seemingly oblivious, kept staring at the screen, “It’s still too neat. Old Pang, can you use the warp tool to stretch it a bit, to give it a feeling of jumping out of the page, make it more eye-catching?”

“That’s possible.”

Pang Hai continued to work with the mouse, distorting the font to give it a slight three-dimensional effect. Although it wasn’t dramatically popping out, it did add some liveliness to the design.

Lu Xuemei grew increasingly uncomfortable, “All design elements are gone, plus a cheap distortion effect, completely devoid of aesthetics.”

“Indeed, it lacks a design sense now. Removing the earlier main elements doesn’t achieve an advertising effect. It’s more like an ordinary fan. Are you sure you want to change it this way?”

Pang Hai hesitated, unable to outright criticize the design, since no one wants to offend the client.

But Lu Xuemei thought differently. Seeing that her master shared her opinion, she spoke more boldly, “Junior, since you entrusted this to us, you should trust our professional skills.”

“…”

Not receiving a response, Lu Xuemei turned to look at Jiang Qin, only to find him gazing at a girl sitting quietly in the reading area.

The girl was so beautiful that it was mesmerizing.

Yet, Lu Xuemei couldn’t help but frown, wondering what he was doing. They were discussing serious business, and he suddenly started looking at a pretty girl. Was he even serious?

But what angered her most wasn’t this. It was that the original design, which her master had spent all night creating, was being dismissed by his commands, showing no trust in the designer. Isn’t this just like those annoying clients people talk about?

“What did you just say?” Jiang Qin snapped back to reality.

Taking a deep breath, Lu Xuemei said, “The revised design is too simple, lacking any highlights. It’s far inferior to the original version made by my master. I suggest you reconsider.”

Jiang Qin considered her words for a moment, then spoke, “Alright, take the laptop around, ask a few people which they prefer.”

“If everyone says my master’s design is better, you must use his version!” Lu Xuemei immediately set her terms.

Jiang Qin agreed instantly, “Okay, let’s do that.”

With that, Lu Xuemei grabbed the laptop and headed to the reading room filled with university students.

“Xuemei is still young, but she’s professionally capable,” Pang Hai added.

Jiang Qin nodded, “Let’s decide which version to use when she comes back.”

Five minutes later, Lu Xuemei returned with the laptop, her face showing a triumphant expression, seemingly having obtained the result she wanted.

“But how does one increase their social media influence anyway? Why is mine so low?”Chapter 58: Motto 2.0

TL: Etude

Lu Xuemei had just compared two design drafts, asking ten strangers for their opinions. Seven preferred the original version, two liked the last one, and one was indecisive. The preference seemed clear.

“How about that? I told you so. It’s better unchanged. Just blind direction.”

Jiang Qin took the laptop, lifting his head indifferently, “Did anyone become curious about the website content after seeing the picture?”

Lu Xuemei nodded, “Of course, they were curious and even asked when the website would be available.”

“Which design were they pointing to when they asked?”

“The second one.”

After saying this, Lu Xuemei paused, suddenly realizing something. Indeed, people were pointing at the simplest design, the later version, when asking about the website.

“Why is that?” Lu Xuemei was perplexed.

“It’s normal because the previous version is indeed good-looking and sophisticated, but it had too many elements. A quick glance couldn’t capture any focal point. Removing redundant elements made the information delivery more direct.”

Jiang Qin placed the laptop back in front of Pang Hai, speaking in a calm tone.

“But only an attractive advertisement can generate the desire to look at it. If people don’t even want to look, your streamlined information delivery is useless.”

Lu Xuemei felt unconvinced. Efficient information transmission is important, but what’s the point if no one looks at it?

“But it’s a fan,” Jiang Qin said, looking at her.

Hearing this, Lu Xuemei paused, as if she suddenly understood something, her retort dying in her throat.

“With the weather so hot, you use a fan when going to the restroom, eating in the cafeteria, attending club activities, or even in class, right? Even if it’s not that exquisite, is it hard to glance at the information on the fan for a second?”

Pang Hai’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, a realization dawning on him, “That makes sense…”

Jiang Qin rubbed his arms, chilled by the air conditioning, and continued, “Flyers must be attractively designed because they lack practical value. If they’re not appealing, they get discarded, and most people don’t care what’s written. But a fan is different. It has the potential to be kept and used. So why should design aesthetics impede information transmission?”

Lu Xuemei pursed her lips, unable to utter a word.

She admitted that her focus had always been on the aesthetic of the graphic design itself, not considering its carrier.

But as Jiang Qin had just pointed out, knowing that people wouldn’t casually discard a fan, why obstruct precise information transmission in favor of excessive aesthetic demands?

Pang Hai looked up, “Boss, have you studied commercial design and advertising marketing before?”

“No, I just have a bit more talent and flair than the average person.”

“Talent? Where? I can’t see it,” Lu Xuemei retorted, unconvinced.

Jiang Qin just smiled, treating her like a petulant child, “Young girl, how can you be so blind at such a young age? That’s sad.”

“You…”

“Alright, Old Pang, please send the design to Shengshi Advertising. I have military training this afternoon and need to leave.”

Jiang Qin then called his the little rich lady and left the library for the bubble tea shop.

“Military training? He’s a freshman?” Lu Xuemei’s eyes widened in disbelief, feeling a sudden sense of defeat.

Lu Xuemei, having studied design for two years, struggled to accept being schooled by a freshman, especially in her own field of expertise.

Pang Hai slowly packed up his computer and patted her shoulder, “Don’t be discouraged, Xuemei. Not just you, even I hadn’t considered the aspect of the communication medium.”

“Really, Master?” Lu Xuemei looked up at him.

“Really. This past year, I’ve taken on many small local business flyer designs. I always thought my aesthetic sense and skills were superior, and the clients’ requirements were simple — just bold and not ugly fonts. I was quite self-satisfied. But only today did I understand that real commercial design is not so superficial.”

Pang Hai sighed, “No wonder some designers only get jobs worth a few hundred, while others handle projects worth hundreds of thousands.”

After a moment of reflection, Lu Xuemei suddenly looked up, “But how did he know that? He’s not even from our field!”

“You have to admit, some people have a knack for seeing the bigger picture.”

…

At noon, Pang Hai was praising Jiang Qin’s brilliance, but in the afternoon, during military training, Jiang Qin suffered.

As soon as he arrived at the drill field, he was ‘warmly’ greeted by the instructor and then got a notable package of running five laps around the field, standing at attention for an hour, and shouting “Dismiss” a thousand times to the wall.

After that ordeal, Jiang Qin swore never to perform talents again.

“The nail that sticks out gets hammered down, make money while you’re young.

Don’t chase love, go to bed early for good health.

Read more when you have time, and when annoyed, just massage your feet.

Living off a wealthy partner doesn’t bite, heiresses are indeed great.”

Jiang Qin wrote down these lines, his Life Motto 2.0, with a stick on the ground beneath a tree.

Being the standout also had its perks. At least when he returned, his squad and three others showed their high appreciation and applause.

Simply put, his talent display had earned four squads a three-hour break. His acceptance of the penalty moved many.

However, when the military training ended and Jiang Qin returned to his dorm after dinner, he faced Cao Guangyu’s merciless mockery.

Cao, exempt from training due to a medical procedure, didn’t need to be grateful to Jiang Qin. Hearing about the “Dismiss” stunt unrelated to him, he felt an urge to kick a man when he was down.

“Old Jiang, I heard you spent the afternoon shouting ‘Dismiss’ at the wall, even scaring away stray dogs?”

“Heh,” Jiang Qin sneered coldly.

Cao Guangyu, lounging on his bed, pouted like a deflated balloon, “Told you, don’t be so high-profile all the time. Some things are beyond your control.”

Jiang Qin glanced at him, “How’s your… pee tool?”

“Needs another three or four days to recover. Why?”

“I’ve got something to show you.”

Jiang Qin opened his laptop and entered the website he had previously given to Su Nai, clicking on the video section.

Cao Guangyu’s face paled, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead.Chapter 59: Drawing a Pie in the Sky

TL: Etude

As the military training continued, the volume of content on Zhihu also kept enriching.

The series “My Unpretentious Life as a Rich Second Generation” had been updated to its 63rd installment, detailing how the Cao family dominated in Hang City and their enthusiasm for charity.

“You are the Color of Fireworks in the World” had also reached its 60th chapter, where the male and female leads expressed their feelings for the first time, including a bit of physical confrontation, which was quite thrilling.

Besides, the confession wall had accumulated over a thousand fictional courtship posts.

A nine-headed fairy looking for a boyfriend, with no requirements, not interested in money, and easy to deceive due to her naivety.

A handsome guy with eight-pack abs searching for a girlfriend, wealthy and loyal, without smoking, drinking, or any bad habits.

And in the anonymous tree hole, there were endless pseudo-documentary short stories, full of melodrama, controversies, complex entanglements of exes and current partners, and stealthy backstabbing among female friends.

With this level of activity, the planned promotion could begin as scheduled.

On a sunny Wednesday morning, with a gentle breeze and clear skies, Shengshi Advertising sent ten thousand promotional fans to the school via express delivery. Through the connections of Dong Wenhao and Pang Hai, they handed them over to Gao Dapeng, the president of the part-time club.

The responsiveness of college students was impressive. On the day the fans were delivered, Gao Dapeng arranged for a few skilled members of his club to carry out ground promotions in two campuses.

During the scorching summer, the temperature remained high, making fans an extremely popular item.

Gao Dapeng and his team hardly exerted any effort and quickly distributed over three thousand fans. At the same time, real users gradually started to flood into the forum, with the number of registrations slowly but steadily increasing.

Jiang Qin took advantage of the end of military training and pulled Su Nai to the library to monitor the data for an entire afternoon.

The increasing number of registrations was a good sign, but except for the novel section by Shi Miaomiao, which started receiving comments, active posting by real users was scarce. This indicated that most users were still in a wait-and-see state, not yet motivated to interact, which was not a good phenomenon.

Jiang Qin wanted to achieve an effect where users were not only readers but also creators of content.

Only after forming such a cycle could the vitality of the website continue. Otherwise, no matter how large the volume of content, it would eventually be exhausted.

“Let’s implement an experience point system on the site.”

“Eh?”

Jiang Qin tapped his fingers on the table, “We’ll award experience points based on the number of posts made and the responses received. We’ll distribute titles to users based on the amount of experience. Those focused on short story creation will receive the ‘Scholar Badge,’ and those who like to share about beauty and fashion will be named ‘Fashion Queens’. The badges will have five levels, with the highest level earning a ‘Legendary’ title, to encourage users to post.”

Su Nai pushed up her glasses, “Senior, I’m not a donkey from a production team…”

“Heh, the mercenary scholar.”

Jiang Qin saw through Su Nai’s nature, “Junior, how about this: instead of paying you bit by bit, why don’t you just become my employee? I’ll pay you a salary. From now on, you’re a founding member of Zhihu, entitled to project bonuses and company equity shares. How about that?”

“It sounds very tempting…” Su Nai’s eyes sparkled with the clear foolishness unique to college students.

Jiang Qin nodded in satisfaction, “As long as you work hard, fate won’t let me down. One day, I’ll drive a Bentley and live in a mansion.”

“?”

Su Nai was momentarily stunned. You’ll drive a Bentley and live in a mansion, but what about me?

But if the boss is driving a Bentley and living in a mansion, as a founding member, I should be close behind. A small western-style house and a BBA should be within reach.

“By the way, boss, you haven’t paid me yet for the automatic reply post feature,” Su Nai suddenly remembered something.

Jiang Qin spoke gently, “Junior, you’re now my employee. Helping the project to optimize is part of your job. I don’t want to hear such foolish words from you again in the future. The chairman would think you have an improper attitude.”

Su Nai was startled, “We have a chairman? Who is the chairman?”

“Me.”

“? ? ? ?”

Jiang Qin’s voice became even softer, “Our project is in its developmental phase. The portion that’s due to you will be included in the dividends. When our project takes off, we can prosper together!”

Su Nai, being a homebody from the science and engineering field, didn’t quite grasp the intricacies of these verbal traps. She nodded in agreement, “Alright, but you must give me the dividends at the end of the year!”

“No problem, once we make money, I’ll treat you to all the good stuff.”

“Hehe.”

Su Nai chuckled twice, conveniently overlooking the issue of whether the website could actually monetize: “Oh right, boss, could you lend me 33 yuan first?”

“Why are you bringing up money again? We’re completing a groundbreaking internet product. Aren’t you being a bit materialistic?” Jiang Qin posed with the dignity of a boss.

“It’s not that. I need to top up for a membership.”

“Membership?”

Jiang Qin paused, finding the price of this membership somewhat odd.

Nowadays, most websites priced their memberships with a ‘9’ at the end – 9.9 yuan, 19.9 yuan, 29.9 yuan. But a membership fee like 33 yuan was refreshingly unique.

A flash of insight struck Jiang Qin.

That’s right, Su Nai must be talking about a membership for some video section.

“Junior, didn’t I tell you before? Focus on work, don’t spend all day learning new positions.”

Su Nai looked frustrated, “Without the membership, every time it stops abruptly. I’ve never seen the whole process and don’t know what happens next!”

Jiang Qin’s mouth twitched slightly, “Alright, alright, actually I have a membership. I can lend you my account.”

“Then… okay.”

“But you’re not allowed to look at my favorites,” Jiang Qin specifically instructed.

“Why not?”

“It’s a joke. How can an employee know the chairman’s preferences and vulnerabilities so clearly? That’s very dangerous.”

“…”

Su Nai was somewhat conflicted. If she bought the membership herself, she’d have to pay every month. But using the boss’s account meant free access, though the thought of sharing an account with someone else felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Well, never mind, free stuff comes with its own losses. Why bother about anything else?

After leaving the library, Jiang Qin strolled back to his dormitory. But before he could even settle down, his mother called.

“Jiang Qin, do you still need those old books of yours? There’s a scrap collector downstairs. If you don’t want them, I’ll sell them.”

Jiang Qin stretched lazily, “Mom, don’t sell them. Keep them as a memento. We’re not short of money. Also, I need to be honest with you. I’m actually a millionaire now.”

Yuan Youqin’s voice remained flat, “Oh, congratulations, son. What would you like to eat when you come back for the National Day holiday? I’ll prepare it in advance.”

“I’m serious. Do you want a wool coat? I’ll buy you two,” Jiang Qin tested the waters nonchalantly.

“Mom doesn’t need a coat. Just focus on your studies at school. Your dad and I will handle earning money. You just maintain a proper attitude and study. There will be plenty of opportunities to earn money after you graduate.”Chapter 60: Cyber Romance

TL: Etude

“If I really do make some money…”

“Kid, do you think our family is poor? Never think like that, do you hear me? Your dad and I are just used to saving, but we do have some savings. Let me tell you, your task right now…”

Jiang Qin hastily coughed to interrupt his mother’s lecture: “Mom, long-distance phone calls are actually quite expensive.”

“Beep beep beep—”

Listening to the busy tone on the phone, Jiang Qin couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

That was close. A few more words and he probably would have provoked a half-hour long nagging session from his mother. People of their generation always think like this, believing that the world’s wealth has nothing to do with them. They don’t even dare to think about it, as thinking more would be deemed daydreaming.

This reminded Jiang Qin of his former manager, Old Cheng, from his previous life. Cheng had resolutely quit his job to start his own business, only to end up with huge losses. A year later, he was back at his old job.

He used to mutter every day, “A person can never earn money beyond their understanding.”

His parents were just like that, only daring to sigh over those riches, never daring to even think about them.

In other words, for people who start with nothing, besides the difficulty of earning their first pot of gold, the breadth of their vision is also a formidable barrier. If you don’t even dare to think about it, how can you have the courage to earn it?

“Old Zhou, are you busy tonight?” Jiang Qin called out in the dormitory.

Zhou Chao sat up from his bed: “No, what’s up? Is there some activity tonight?”

“Help me distribute some flyers in the dormitory building.”

“?”

Jiang Qin reached under the table and pulled up a large bag of flyers. These were made using Pang Hai’s initial design draft. Although they weren’t as effective as fans, they were definitely useful. After all, using fans for ground promotion was too costly and not sustainable.

Moreover, it was already mid-September. No matter how hot the summer was, it would eventually pass, and distributing fans would then be pointless.

Zhou Chao poked his head out from the bed and glanced at the flyers in the bag: “So many flyers? Won’t my hands fall off from fatigue? You’ll have to treat me to a meal.”

“What would you like to eat?”

“The braised pig’s trotters set meal from the second canteen, twenty-one portions!” After saying this, Zhou Chao felt a bit embarrassed, thinking he might have asked for too much.

Jiang Qin took out thirty yuan from his wallet and handed it to him: “Besides the trotters, I’ll add another ten yuan for duck soup.”

Zhou Chao’s face lit up with joy: “Thanks, Brother Jiang.”

“Look at how cheap you’re acting.”

As Jiang Qin spoke, he put his wallet back in his pocket, thinking to himself that Zhou Chao was still not as good as Guo Zihang in ranking; that guy directly called him ‘foster father’: “Remember to distribute them to every dorm room, don’t miss any.”

“Don’t worry.”

Zhou Chao was full of enthusiasm, jumping off the bed. Jiang Qin thought he was about to start distributing flyers, but instead, Zhou Chao picked up his phone and started making calls, his voice suddenly tinged with a whimper.

“Mom, I’ve got a part-time job and made thirty yuan.”

“Mom, don’t cry, I’ve grown up, I’ll be filial to you and dad.”

After hanging up, Zhou Chao opened his contact list again, scrolling to almost the last name and dialed.

“Hello, Grandpa, I’ve got a part-time job and made thirty!”

“Ah? What about Auntie? No, I said I made thirty from my part-time job!”

After the call with his grandfather, Zhou Chao still looked unsatisfied. After some thought, he dialed another number, his voice deliberately softer.

“Hello, Xiao Yu, how’s college life?”

“I made thirty from my part-time job. Is there anything you want? I’ll buy it for you.”

“Oh, going to take a shower? Okay, then I’ll wait for you.”

Watching Zhou Chao’s triumphant departure, Jiang Qin thought to himself that this guy really was a drama king: “Who’s Xiao Yu?”

Zhou Chao put the phone in his pocket: “A high school classmate. She used to chase after me a lot, but I didn’t accept her for the sake of my studies.”

“6.” (awesome)

Jiang Qin gave a thumbs up, thinking to himself that, considering Zhou Chao’s help with distributing flyers, he wouldn’t expose him for being such an ardent admirer.

Going to take a shower, huh? Hilarious.

After Zhou Chao left the dormitory with the flyers, Cao Guangyu came out of the bathroom, obviously just after applying some medication, and started cursing as soon as he saw Jiang Qin.

He had been recovering for ten days since his surgery, almost ready to get back to his full capacity, but a video had set him back again.

“Old Cao, why haven’t I seen you on my website these past few days? Not fun?”

Cao Guangyu sat down and frowned, “Don’t mention it. I was showing off online a while ago and getting a lot of praise, but recently, for some reason, a bunch of unfamiliar IDs have shown up, asking me if I can’t live without boasting. It’s infuriating.”

Jiang Qin understood; this guy had been schooled by real users: “Wasn’t there someone who said they admired you just a few days ago?”

“Now there’s none left, except for Weiwei. There’s not a single good person on the internet besides her.”

After saying this, Cao Guangyu’s face showed a hint of nostalgia as he opened a webpage and logged into the forum, then clicked on the private message page.

Curious, Jiang Qin leaned over and noticed that the top right corner of the private message window read “Beautiful Weiwei.”

“?”

“Isn’t that nickname a virtual ID used by the backend bot?”

Jiang Qin pondered quietly before moving closer, noticing that Cao Guangyu had been sending private messages to this virtual “Weiwei” for three days.

What’s your major, what year are you in, what kind of guys do you like, do you have aspirations to become a wealthy young matron?

Old Cao was so accustomed to being a fawning admirer that he could keep chatting even when there was no response.

“Is this Weiwei?”

Cao Guangyu raised a confident smile: “Yes, she commented on every post of mine in the past, saying she admired and liked me. She seemed like a pure and kind-hearted girl.”

Jiang Qin felt his scalp tingle: “Why are you sending her so many private messages?”

“To build a relationship. When the time is right, I’ll ask her to meet up. I have a feeling she won’t be less attractive than Hong Yan.”

“Heh, playing it safe with your boasting. Why don’t you say she’s prettier than Feng Nanshu?” Jiang Qin said mockingly.

Cao Guangyu pursed his lips and shook his head after a long while: “Girls like that are too sci-fi, too unreal to be true.”

“But if I’m not mistaken, Miss Weiwei hasn’t even replied with a single punctuation mark.”

“She’s a bit shy,” Cao Guangyu said with a slight smirk.

Jiang Qin felt goosebumps all over: “Old Cao, I advise you to give up early. Don’t get delusional.”

“No, do you remember what I said at the beginning of the semester? Girls these days are too coy. You only have a chance if you take the initiative!”

“…”

Jiang Qin had nothing to say and decided not to burst Cao Guangyu’s bubble.

Others’ first crush in college might be a senior or a junior, or even a classmate for those who like to keep things close to home.

But Cao Guangyu was something else, falling in love with an automatic reply system.

If this was exposed, he probably wouldn’t be able to lift his head in the dormitory again. If Ren Ziqiang found out by accident, the whole Finance Department would know.

Jiang Qin bowed in admiration. Indeed, a cyber boy in a cyber romance; while others are browsing the internet, he’s really into it.