Who Would Fall in Love After Being Reborn?

Chapter 142: Subtle Progress in Emotions

TL: Etude

“Being able to win this award, I truly deserve it… no, that’s not right, I am extremely honored.”

“I’d like to thank Linchuan University, the Linchuan Campus Forum, the college supermarket, and the Tongxing Driving School.”

“My mother taught me since I was young that the children of the poor must learn to take charge early…”

At two o’clock in the afternoon, at the Linchuan University playground, during the Star of Learning award ceremony.

Jiang Qin, holding the trophy in his hands, spoke to the audience, which wasn’t much larger than the staff, repeating his words like a broken record for an entire hour, frustrating Manager Niu to the point of wanting to ascend to heaven.

This guy’s shamelessness knows no bounds!

Doesn’t he know how he even got this award? Damn it!

If only Ms. Jiang had foreseen this, he wouldn’t have come either. Even staying in the lousy driving school would have been better than listening to this endless prattle.

Meanwhile, Teacher Li from the Linchuan Campus Forum had already had enough, silently finding a corner, facing the wall, his back to everyone, and started to smoke stealthily.

Actually, he felt somewhat relieved.

Luckily, the initial promotion was ineffective, and luckily, there weren’t many people at the award ceremony today. Otherwise, he would have been utterly embarrassed.

Jiang Qin was indeed different from the ordinary college student, with a thick and durable face.

“Teacher Li, give me a cigarette.”

“You smoke too?”

Niu Shangtian, pulling up his pant legs and squatting beside him, replied, “I don’t usually, but I do when I’m upset.”

Teacher Li took out a pack of Yuxi cigarettes and tossed it over: “Don’t worry about it, it’s over. Just avoid him in the future.”

“You say it’s over, but my troubles are just beginning.”

“What do you mean?”

Niu Shangtian, lighting a cigarette, took a deep drag: “This morning, besides Jiang Qin, all ten others from room 208 signed up for driving lessons at my school.”

Teacher Li: “…”

“I was tricked and now have to offer them half-price lessons. After all this, I’ve essentially been giving Jiang Qin’s employees a benefit. Damn, I really lost out on this deal. The promotion wasn’t even worth it.”

Teacher Li leaned in closer: “You could group them separately, make ten of them use one car, and drag it out. They won’t learn how to drive even in three years, and that would serve your purpose.”

Niu Shangtian’s eyes lit up: “Damn, why didn’t I think of that?”

“Just don’t say I taught you this.”

“Don’t worry, Teacher Li, I’m not a blabbermouth.”

As they finished talking, both men, cigarettes in mouths, turned to look at the award platform. Jiang Qin was still going on endlessly, now beginning to thank the security guard and the janitor at the school gate.

“Boss, boss, stop talking, it’s my turn!”

“Yeah, boss, leave us some time too. We want to give our acceptance speeches. I’m a junior and haven’t won anything yet!”

Realizing that his acceptance speech had indeed gone on for too long, Jiang Qin handed the stage over to the second-place winner, Yang Shuai, and came down with the trophy.

That Jiang Zhihua really had poor taste, the trophy’s appearance was utterly tacky.

A black plastic base topped with an open book design, all in gaudy gold.

However, this was more than enough to please his parents. The tackier it was, the more they would trust it, because in their minds, trophies were supposed to look like this, and any other color would seem inauthentic.

“It’s settled then. This year shouldn’t be too hard.”

Jiang Qin handed the trophy to Wei Lalan, asking her to take it back to the office. He then walked towards where Niu Shangtian and Teacher Li were squatting and smoking.

Seeing him approach step by step, both the old Niu and Teacher Li felt inexplicably nervous, shuffling their buttocks back as if to distance themselves from him.

“Manager Niu.”

“General Jiang, congratulations! Star of Learning, well deserved indeed,” Manager Niu replied with a professional, yet insincere smile.

Jiang Qin waved his hand dismissively, “I admit I took advantage of you this time, but I’m not the type to only benefit myself without helping others. So, I’m planning to promote you for free on the forum.”

Niu Shangtian was stunned for a moment: “Really?”

“Yes, Yang Shuai and the others are learning to drive at your school, right? I’ll have them take some photos every day and post them on the forum. They’ll say how great Tongxing Driving School is, with only two students per car, no need to fight or argue, and that they can get their license in just a month. Everyone should hurry up and sign up.”josei

…

Niu Shangtian swallowed hard and glanced at Teacher Li, noticing his frozen smile.

They understood the underlying threat in Jiang Qin’s words. It was not a favor but a veiled threat: provide two-person service for his employees, or he would expose the poor service of their driving school. There was no way they could just use one car for all ten students and drag it out until their graduation.

But what stunned Teacher Li was the realization: had Jiang Qin planned this all from the moment he saw them at the competition?

Was he really capable of foreseeing such minute details and avoiding even these small traps?

“Hmm? Teacher Li, why has your face changed color?”

“It’s nothing, just a special ability…”

Jiang Qin, impressed with himself, then left the playground for the college supermarket.

At the supermarket, Jiang Zhihua was sitting inside, furiously staring at the new batch of milk tea cups on the counter, almost fuming at the top of her head.

Star of Learning: Jiang Qin

Tsk!

Every time she saw these words on the milk tea cups, Jiang Zhihua felt a surge of anger.

Having lived for so many years, being outwitted by an eighteen-year-old was something she found hard to accept, especially without any means to retaliate.

What she didn’t realize was that Linchuan University was like a protective circle for her. She used connections to open the largest supermarket here without any competition, living too comfortably.

The schemes she could think of were mere child’s play for Jiang Qin. They might fool ordinary college students, but in the eyes of a businessman, they were nothing significant.

However, the packaging change wasn’t entirely bad for the college supermarket.

At least this morning, a stunningly beautiful girl bought five cups in one go.

She was about 1.7 meters tall, standing tall and graceful, with features so delicate that a glance could captivate one’s heart. She was cool and uncommunicative, the epitome of a rich and beautiful girl from a prominent family. Yet, she pointed at Jiang Qin’s cups, not fussy about the flavor.

Jiang Zhihua didn’t understand her choice at first, randomly grabbing the old cups, but the girl insisted on having Jiang Qin’s.

Jiang Zhihua was baffled, thinking it was just bizarre.

“Boss Jiang, how’s business today?”

Just as Jiang Zhihua was lost in thought, Jiang Qin walked into the supermarket.

Jiang Zhihua’s face darkened further, struggling to breathe smoothly: “What are you doing here?”

“I’m puzzled about something and came to ask you,” Jiang Qin replied.

“I have nothing to talk to you about.”

Jiang Qin leaned on the counter: “Just a quick chat. You wouldn’t want me to linger here, would you?”

Jiang Zhihua clenched her teeth: “Ask quickly then.”

“How did you come up with the idea for the Star of Learning competition? Wouldn’t a campus hunk contest be more appealing?”

“I thought the same initially. But Teacher Li said the Linchuan Campus Forum is an official forum. They needed to maintain professionalism and seriousness in content. A frivolous event like a campus hunk contest wouldn’t suit their image, and the school authorities wouldn’t approve. We had no choice but to settle for less.”

Jiang Qin nodded, feeling the reason matched his thoughts, then grinned: “That’s great. At the end of the month, I’m planning to hold a campus hunk contest at the front plaza and open a supermarket to divert traffic there.”

Jiang Zhihua: “…”

“Boss Jiang, that’s how business is. Where someone profits, another loses. You’ve just been too comfortable in the school, inexperienced in cutthroat competition, and hence unaware of how vicious people can be.”

“Jiang Qin, I admit I underestimated you. From now on, I’ll steer clear of you, okay? Why must you push things to the extreme?”

Jiang Qin pulled out a document and pushed it towards her: “Boss Jiang, let’s collaborate. Connect your supply chain to my group-buying venture. We can profit together and share the revenue. Otherwise, I really will hold that campus hunk contest.”

Jiang Zhihua’s gaze fell on the document, and after a long silence, she understood his true motive. Picking up a pen, she signed her name.

She had no choice. Jiang Qin’s threat was too strong. It was clear: either collaborate or face competition.

With the letter of intent in hand, Jiang Qin couldn’t hide his satisfaction.

Food supplier √

Retail supplier √

Shopping mall √

Moreover, since the Polytechnic University and Teachers College were far from Linchuan University, it would indeed be more convenient for the staff to learn driving. With Manager Niu’s help, this was also settled.

Indeed, the world is full of good people, all supporting his entrepreneurship!

Just then, the back door of the college supermarket suddenly echoed with the familiar sound of little leather shoes. Lifting his head, Jiang Qin saw the little rich lady, Gao Wenhui, and Fan Shuling walking in.

“Jiang Qin? Aren’t you taking care of your wife anymore? She’s already had five cups of milk tea today!”

“?”

Feng Nanshu panicked at Gao Wenhui’s accusation: “I didn’t! I only had two cups; the rest were for Wenhui and Shuling.”

Jiang Qin turned to Feng Nanshu: “Why are you drinking so much milk tea?”

“The milk tea cups at the college supermarket have your name on them, in seven different colors. She wants to buy two more,” Fan Shuling couldn’t help but explain.

Jiang Qin widened his eyes: “While I’m out there cunningly dealing with others, you’re getting fooled by them?”

After a moment of thought, Feng Nanshu tried to sound composed: “Jiang Qin, which color do you want? Your best friend will buy it for you.”

“No more drinking.”

“I just want the cups.”

Jiang Qin looked at Jiang Zhihua: “Boss Jiang, how about giving us two cups for free?”

Jiang Zhihua was furious, forced to sign a contract and now to give away cups for free: “Take them, just take them and leave.”

“Go get them,” Jiang Qin said.

The little rich lady raised both hands, one black and one white cup in each: “Already got them.”

Jiang Qin laughed: “Now we can summon the dragon. Make a wish.”

“I wish to see you every day.”

“…”

Jiang Qin, stunned by Feng Nanshu’s earnest expression, suddenly heard Gao Wenhui’s voice: “Jiang Qin, we’re going to the cafeteria to eat. Do you want to come with us?”

“Sure, I’ve been busy all afternoon. Let me treat you out.”

Gao Wenhui’s eyes lit up: “You’re paying?”

“I’m in a good mood today, so it’s on me. Let’s go.”

Without thinking, Jiang Qin instinctively took Feng Nanshu’s delicate hand and led her out of the supermarket. The little rich lady, caught off guard, quietly looked at Jiang Qin, like a soulless kitten.

“Wasn’t Jiang Qin only into touching feet? How come he’s holding hands now?” Gao Wenhui exclaimed in surprise.

Fan Shuling crossed her arms: “It seems their relationship has made some subtle progress.”

“No way, we must follow them. I need to witness this.”

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