Who Would Fall in Love After Being Reborn?

Chapter 123: Stories at the Dinner Table

TL: Etude

The school handyman’s skills were still quite nimble. As he dismantled the window frame, he muttered about a broken hinge.

After replacing it with a new one, the window could close properly. Jiang Qin nodded in satisfaction, thinking that whether he slept here in the future or not, at least he wouldn’t have to worry about being bitten by mosquitoes anymore.

Or, on the next unexpected rainy day, when he and the young wealthy woman ran in from the rain, they wouldn’t have to huddle together under the same blanket to stay warm.

Hmm?

Jiang Qin’s smile suddenly faded, and his expression grew serious.

Was not having to huddle under the same blanket with the young wealthy woman a good thing or a bad thing?

He couldn’t help but recall the scene of Feng Nanshu, small and tucked beside him, with a silly expression and bright eyes. She clutched the blanket up to her fair neck, only her beautiful little face exposed, as docile as a cat. His expression grew a bit more solemn.

“The window frames in the Entrepreneurship Center are all old and somewhat warped. Even with the new hinges, they need to be handled gently. Don’t push too hard, or they’ll still let the wind in,” the handyman advised as he descended the ladder.

Jiang Qin came back to his senses and asked indifferently, “How hard is too hard to push?”

“Just pushing hard on the handle.”

Jiang Qin grasped the handle and pushed hard. The handyman was slightly startled: “Do you want to fix it or break it?”

“I’m just testing it, and indeed, it’s very sturdy,” Jiang Qin said, patting his hands and nodding like a professional quality inspector.

“Of course, it’s sturdy; I fixed it. Do you still need to test it? Hurry up and sign the work order; I’m done here.”

Jiang Qin signed the maintenance form for the handyman and then left room 207, one after the other.

At that time, Tang Lin and Hong Yan had already finished their tour of 208 and were preparing to return to the main office.

“It’s almost dinner time. We’re going to the cafeteria. Do you want to join us for dinner?”

Hong Yan was initially being pulled away by Tang Lin, but after a few steps, she couldn’t resist turning back to ask.

Hearing this, Tang Lin was quite surprised. Although she hadn’t known her friend for long, she had a rough idea of her personality. Everyone thought she was modest and polite, but in reality, she was quite cold.

Politeness was just a means for her to maintain relationships; coldness was her true nature.

So Tang Lin had never heard Hong Yan actively invite someone to dinner before. Of course, Jiang Qin’s response also surprised her.

“Today, I’ll pass. I have a dinner engagement tonight, and I’m busy these next two days. Let’s have a proper rest when it’s over. We can eat and drink then.”

“Okay, then we’ll wait until you’re done.”

Tang Lin’s eyes grew more bewildered. She glanced at Hong Yan, then couldn’t help but look at Jiang Qin again, her mind in a daze.

It was surprising enough that Hong Yan took the initiative to invite a guy to dinner, but it was even more baffling that he declined to dine with her.

Isn’t he the one who runs to the main office three times a day?

Why back out now when the opportunity arises?

And why does her friend have to wait for him to finish his work for a chance to dine together?

Tang Lin wasn’t sure how much sincerity was in that statement and how much was just politeness, but she had never heard Hong Yan speak like that to anyone else.

“Yan Yan, do you really want to become the boss lady of 208?” Tang Lin finally blurted out after a long pause.

“Just having dinner together means becoming the boss lady? If that’s the case, Jiang Qin would have too many boss ladyes. Probably the whole of 208 couldn’t accommodate them all.”

Tang Lin pursed her lips, “With your beauty, you could become the boss lady of 208 in a minute, and all the others would have to step aside.”

Hong Yan grabbed her friend’s arm, “Confidence is a good thing.”

“I’m just stating facts. You’re the pinnacle of beauty among all the girls I’ve met. I don’t believe anyone can resist your charm.”

By this time, Jiang Qin had walked far away and didn’t hear their conversation.

He got into his car, drove out of Linchuan University’s gate, and headed straight for Linchuan University of Science and Technology.

The huge PVC ranking board from Shengshi had already been delivered, standing prominently in front of the milk tea shop, appearing particularly magnificent under the night sky.

Half an hour later, Zhang Ming’an, the deputy director of the Political and Educational Office, and Hu Maolin, the head of the Youth League Committee, emerged from the darkness and got into Jiang Qin’s Audi. They examined the car’s console and then couldn’t help but smack their lips.

The students of Linchuan were too extravagant, driving a BBA in their freshman year.

Ten minutes later, they arrived at a nearby restaurant. The Chinese-style entrance was adorned with two bright red lanterns, and the glass windows faced the silhouettes of dine-in customers.

The three entered a private room in the restaurant, ordered a table full of dishes, and opened two bottles of wine.

When he was promoting the forum at Linchuan University, Jiang Qin never invited leaders to dinner because Professor Yan, who was in charge of the Entrepreneurship Center, detested this kind of dining culture. According to him, it’s fine for men to enjoy a good drink and gather friends, but using drinking as an excuse to set barriers, show off status, and seek attention was pure idiocy.

But this is a society driven by personal relationships, and it won’t change just because of one person’s likes and dislikes. Moreover, people like Professor Yan are in the minority, so Jiang Qin felt it necessary to invite Zhang Ming’an and Hu Maolin for a meal.

Zhang Ming’an was the quiet type, a characteristic seemingly common among Professor Yan’s students.

As the head of the Youth League Committee, Hu Maolin usually carried himself with a certain aloofness. He wouldn’t normally talk much, but he spoke a lot during this meal.

He told Jiang Qin that promoting entrepreneurship was his own affair, but if it was done under the name of work-study, then it wasn’t just about one person.

Both Linchuan University and Linchuan University of Science and Technology had many impoverished students enrolling each year. Although there were scholarships, they were merely a drop in the bucket. Some students had to work desperately during summer vacation to pay for their tuition, and some even had to support their families.

Hu Maolin didn’t specify how many impoverished students Jiang Qin should hire, but he sternly advised not to delay wages or dismiss employees without cause.

Director Hu was sincere, and Jiang Qin nodded promptly. He couldn’t possibly delay wages, especially not for impoverished students.

Over an hour later, Director Hu got up to leave the restaurant. Jiang Qin escorted him out and casually handed him a bag of Xi Tian milk tea.

“Director, this is the new milk tea from our shop, with a Chinese flavor.”

“A new flavor? Great, my daughter loves milk tea.”

Director Hu took the bag of milk tea without hesitation, got into a taxi, and waved goodbye warmly as he left.

Then, Jiang Qin and Zhang Ming’an returned to the restaurant to continue their meal. As it was about to end, the usually silent Zhang Ming’an finally spoke.

“Actually, Director Hu didn’t mean to pressure you with those words. He’s just cautious because of a mess he once had to clean up.”

Jiang Qin wasn’t surprised, “I know, Ye Ziqing’s mess.”josei

“Professor Yan told you about that?” Zhang Ming’an was somewhat surprised.

Jiang Qin shook his head, “I found out on my own. Although I don’t have much information, I’m good at filling in the blanks. I heard Ye Ziqing abruptly terminated her project back then, owing many part-time college students their wages. It caused quite a stir, forcing the school to clean up after her.”

Zhang Ming’an pursed his lips, “Actually, it’s not entirely Ye’s fault. She had no idea when her website started employing so many part-time college students, and she didn’t recognize any of them. She certainly wouldn’t pay them.”

“Hmm, I understand that situation. When a project grows, it’s natural for problems to arise,” Jiang Qin agreed.

“That’s good to know. Especially since your project is under the banner of work-study, any mistakes could be far more serious than what happened with Ye Ziqing. You need to be extra cautious in this regard.”

Jiang Qin’s expression was serious, “Director, to be honest, I’m also from a poor family.”

“Put your Audi keys in your pocket before you say that!” Zhang Ming’an replied with a look of disbelief.

“The Audi was bought with my own money, but that doesn’t change the fact that I come from a poor background, nor does it change my enthusiasm and determination for work-study!”

“There’s no one else here, no need for grandstanding.”

“I would say the same even if the Jade Emperor himself were here.”

Zhang Ming’an gave him a helpless look, “Just make sure you don’t abandon your project like Ye Ziqing did. However, since you are working on a forum and she was into group buying, you shouldn’t end up in the same situation. But you seem to be having some trouble with monetization. Have you thought about your next plan?”

“I’m planning to start group buying next.”

“???!!!”

Seeing Zhang Ming’an’s face turn pale, Jiang Qin quickly added, “Director Zhang, don’t panic. My approach is completely different from hers. Don’t worry.”

Zhang Ming’an relaxed slightly, “Still, you need to keep your feet on the ground and not repeat others’ mistakes.”

“I know. I definitely won’t corner myself into a dead end.”

Zhang Ming’an nodded, then remembered something else, “I’ve heard a rumor recently that the Linchuan Youth Daily wants to do a special interview with you, to promote your entrepreneurial story. You should mention the support you received from the University of Science and Technology, and also emphasize their support for work-study programs.”

Jiang Qin was slightly taken aback, “An interview with me? What’s there to interview about a perfectly ordinary college student?”

“You’ve been enrolled for only two months and have already led over thirty college students in entrepreneurship, earning more than half a million. And you still think you’re ordinary?”

“But Director, I just want to make money, not become famous.”

Zhang Ming’an raised his eyebrows, “That’s not acceptable. We can’t just help you for nothing. You’re a student of our university, and your project has nothing to do with us. Is it too much to ask for you to say a few good words about us?”

Reluctantly, Jiang Qin agreed, “Alright, I’ll say a few words.”

Zhang Ming’an nodded in satisfaction, then couldn’t help but reflect, “When I was your age, all I thought about was studying and dating. I never considered entrepreneurship. You say you’re poor, but you drive an Audi. It’s strange.”

“It’s all about the desire for money, which doesn’t conflict with studying or dating,” Jiang Qin answered.

“So, you’re good at studying?”

“…”

Jiang Qin thought of his calculus grades.

Zhang Ming’an laughed, “So, do you have a girlfriend?”

“…”

Jiang Qin remembered his motto.

“Don’t give up on what you should have because of your pursuit of money. Money is indeed beautiful, but youth is not only beautiful but also fleeting.”

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