In the resplendent banquet hall, around twenty tables were set up, each bustling with the clink of glasses and laughter.
Jiang Qin was seated at the very last table, closest to the entrance. His table companions were mostly uninvited guests, often seen with a wine glass in hand, scurrying around to propose toasts to others, offering their warm faces to cold shoulders.
In business, there are tis when one must shed their dignity.
Dignity, after all, can be shelved at ho during the early stages of a career and reclaid later when one has established themselves.
To find soone worthy of flattery was considered lucky. So at the table didnt even know who to flatter and sat anxiously.
Among them, Jiang Qin stood out.
Before the dishes were served, he focused on cracking sunflower seeds; after, he concentrated solely on eating, seemingly detached from the surroundings.
Once the drinks reached their peak, and the pleasantries concluded, the grand show of boasting began.
The business tycoons of Linchuan started to show off their skills, each more impressive than the last, earning applause all around.
Jiang Qin then started to move. He removed his jacket, grabbed a bottle of wine, and quietly moved around the hall like a ghost. He didnt engage in conversation or boast, instead smoothly approaching each target.
Businesspeople have their own circles, not everyone is keen to network.
Like Jiang Qin, who only eavesdropped on circles he found interesting.
Who are you?
A hotel waiter, at your service for drinks, so you can focus on your conversation.
Jiang Qin swiftly filled a glass for the inquisitor and continued eavesdropping.
The questioned executive didnt suspect anything; after all, the waiters were all dressed in black. He returned to his industry discussions and boasting, casually passing his empty glass back when finished.
Huh?
Where did he go?
The guy who called a business titan and was serving drinks?
Turns out, the owner of the foot bath city, Mr. Wang, loves to chant Buddhist scriptures.
The owner of Xile Yan and Juxian Lou, Mr. Liang, is a vegetarian.
The hotel owner, Mr. Xu, has a germ phobia and doesnt use napkins, always carrying his handkerchief.
The owner of the Western restaurant and caf, Mr. Zheng, doesnt drink wine but tea, and loves roadside barbecues.
After making a round, Jiang Qin returned to his table, silently noting several key points, finding each person charmingly contradictory.
An hour into the Linchuan Comrce Association banquet, Jiang Qin couldnt resist stepping out for fresh air in a corner.
It was overwhelming.
Even for soone as unflappable as him, listening to continuous boasting for an hour was taxing.
The bragging was intense, especially from Mr. Chen, who claid to be a retail giant. As he drank more, his face reddened, and he boasted about selling cotton shoes to Africa and toilet paper to India.
Indeed, theres always soone better. How great it would be if modesty could be sold to Japan and humility to Korea.
Boss, Ive collected all the useful business cards.
Wei Lanlan had already dismantled the standee and extracted all the business cards, holding a thick stack in her hand.
Okay, put them in your bag for now. Go eat sothing at their third-floor buffet, Ill reimburse you.
And what about you?
Jiang Qin stretched lazily, Mr. He hasnt left yet. I cant just leave; that would be disrespectful. Ill et you in the parking lot later.
Alright, Wei Lanlan nodded.
And be careful not to let those executives see you. We dont want to give anything away when we negotiate later.
After saying this, Jiang Qin re-entered the banquet hall and stayed until the end, eventually joining He Yijun outside the hotel.
Mr. He, not being a heavy drinker, had consud little and was still clear-headed. He couldnt fathom why Jiang Qin had attended the event.
He neither drank nor flattered anyone.
Although Jiang Qin had made several rounds in the hall, he didnt utter a word, focusing solely on pouring drinks for everyone. What was the point of that?
Are you sure you dont need to get a business card for you? Mr. He asked.
Jiang Qin shook his head. Those are big bosses. Im too small for them to notice. Having their cards wouldnt be of much use, let it be.
Mr. He couldnt help but express his bafflent: I really cant see through you.
Mr. He, wheres your driver? Do you need a lift back?
No need, my driver should be here soon. Ill just get so fresh air at the entrance. You go ahead.
On a cold winter night, Jiang Qin drove Wei Lanlan out of the underground parking lot, stopped randomly by the roadside, turned on the night light, and began ticulously reviewing each business card. He separated the irrelevant ones, keeping only those that might be useful later, and jotted down a few key words on them.
As his friends had said, its easy to forget short-term mories. A poor mory is better served with a pen.
Lanlan, do you think this business card is made of gold? Jiang Qin asked, holding up a golden card from a real estate developer.
It cant be, at most its just gold-colored, Wei Lanlan replied, finding it hard to believe anyone would mix gold into their business cards. That would be foolish.
Jiang Qin also thought it unlikely, feeling a bit disappointed, but decided to try burning it later to check.
Real or not, these useful cards were his biggest gain of the night. Each could potentially pave the way for his future.
Suddenly, a series of knocks on the window startled them. Jiang Qin, thinking it might be a traffic officer, rolled down the window only to see Mr. Hes complex expression.
His face was flushed from the alcohol, his brows furrowed, giving him a sowhat fierce look.
Mr. Hes gaze fell on the stack of business cards, and he remained silent for a long while before turning to Wei Lanlan in the back seat.
Manager Wei?
Wei Lanlan, a bit awkwardly, responded, Mr. He, what a coincidence
After confirming her identity, Mr. Hes mouth twitched slightly.
He had thought the girl at the door looked familiar and had intended to take a closer look, but Jiang Qin had stopped him.
Now, thinking back, he realized the biggest trap had been set right at the entrance a trap into which everyone fell.
What a strategy! Jiang Qin really knew how to play the ga.
Indeed, he didnt need a business card; he wanted everyone to hand theirs over willingly.
Mr. He, what brings you here? Jiang Qin couldnt help but ask.
Mr. He laughed, I just got in my car and when I saw yours wasnt moving, I thought you might be in trouble, so I ca to check. But I never expected
Youre really kind-hearted, Jiang Qin complinted.
I was thinking Im a damn fool. Jiang, if you dont get rich, who will?
You believe these cards were just picked up by ? Jiang Qin asked calmly.
Mr. He retorted skeptically, I dont fail to see through you; I just underestimated your ambition.
How could that be? I barely ate, didnt drink a sip; my appetite is quite small, Jiang Qin replied modestly.
Stop beating around the bush. Satisfy my curiosity, how did you co up with this clever idea?
Jiang Qin stepped out of the car and led Mr. He to the roadside. You said it yourself. Those attending were arrogant and dismissive. They love showing off at such events. I just lightly provided everyone an opportunity to boast, while also benefiting myself. Thats all.
Mr. He looked at him incredulously. Just because of that one sentence?
For , useful information doesnt need to be extensive; a single sentence is enough.
Mr. He was at a loss for words.
His original advice had been: mbers of the business association, having little formal education, are often arrogant and dismissive, especially in social situations like these, where everyone is there to show off. Youre young and impetuous, so when you go in, observe more and talk less.
Wouldnt a normal person focus on the observe more and talk less part?
Who would delve deeply into those preliminary remarks?
But Jiang Qin latched onto the key point, even one Mr. He hadnt considered, transforming a clear disadvantage into an undeniable advantage.
Having been in business for years, Mr. He suddenly felt he had been too honest in the past. If he had the shrewdness of Jiang Qin, multiplying his wealth several hundredfold wouldnt have been an issue.
Mr. He, I really didnt an to hide it from you.
As long as you rember to include in your success, Mr. He said pensively.
Jiang Qin smiled broadly: Look at what youre saying. Im counting on you to vouch for . Youre a pillar for in Linchuan.
What do you an?
After the New Year, if any of those big bosses like Mr. Xu, Mr. Liang, or Mr. Wang ask about , could you put in a good word? But please, dont ntion anything about the Star Student.
Mr. He, being a businessman, imdiately understood.
Jiang Qin had the cards, but his identity as an entrepreneurial student was too insignificant to impress the big bosses. In his future negotiations, he might downplay his student persona, choosing instead to present himself as a partner of Wanzhong Mall.
This way, the malls reputation would inadvertently beco his credit endorsent.
Honestly, if it werent for He Manqis ti at Linchuan University and her admiration for Jiang Qins girlfriend, who aspired to be a top student like her, Mr. He would never have agreed to this. Their relationship was more than just a business-to-business connection.
Lets talk about it later.
Thank you, Mr. He.
Mr. He gave Jiang Qin a complex look before returning to his car. He took out his phone to call Yue Zhu, asking her to prepare a recent shipnt record for the group purchasing initiative.
Yue Zhu, not knowing what Mr. He was planning, still managed to get Xu i, who was responsible for warehouse shipnts, to compile a record.
Upon receiving it, Yue Zhu was visibly surprised after reviewing it.
The group purchasing shipnts have been this large recently?
Yes, especially after they expanded into the university market, the shipnts have almost doubled, matching our regular workday offline orders.
It seems we underestimated the purchasing power of the university market.
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