Chapter 18: Got a Problem? Find Jiang Qin

Midsummer brought unbearable heat.

It felt as if the heavens had draped an invisible steamer over Jezhou City. Even doing nothing, just standing there, you'd sweat buckets.

At that moment, a sun-tanned Jiang Qin stood at the entrance of the Traffic Police Brigade, pocketing his freshly issued driver's license. He then took a cab to the bank and withdrew 270,000 yuan in cash.

He'd decided this long ago.

He wanted to use this sum to test the waters in various industries, figure out his entrepreneurial direction, and avoid unnecessary detours.

Truth be told, 270,000 yuan could last a long time if spent casually, but for business, it was peanuts.

So Jiang Qin wasn't in it for profit—just dabbling, really. He wanted to hear industry insiders spill the beans and keep his entrepreneurial fire burning.

On July 21st, Jiang Qin tracked down the mother of his classmate Huang Ying and imported a batch of slimming injections and hyaluronic acid from abroad.

The wholesale price was 150 yuan per shot; he sold them to beauty salons for 899 yuan each.

The beauty industry wasn't huge in 2008 yet, but looking at the medical aesthetics boom in later years, it was clearly a goldmine. As long as women loved beauty, this industry would always be a sunrise sector.

On July 22nd, while browsing financial news, he saw that Nongfu Spring was revamping its brand, offering a 300,000-yuan prize for a nationwide slogan contest. Jiang Qin opened his email and typed, "We don't produce water; we're just nature's porters," attaching his phone number.

The next day, a stranger called.

They claimed to be a manager from Nongfu Spring's PR department, thanked him, and asked for his bank details.

When the payment notification pinged his phone, Jiang Qin felt like he'd stumbled onto free money. Rebirth was freaking awesome.

On July 24th, he invested in his classmate Yang Shuan's family lamb soup shop, taking a 30% stake.

From his memory, Yang Shuan's dad's cooking was the best in Jezhou. Five years later, they'd have branches in the next city over—a surefire win.

Jiang Qin wasn't too keen on investing in storefronts, but he wanted to snoop out the secret recipe. He later found a can of evaporated milk in the cabinet.

On July 29th, his driving instructor mentioned he was dealing with a drug that promised a tenfold profit margin and, hearing Jiang Qin had cash, invited him to join in.

Jiang Qin was intrigued but wary of deals that came knocking. He investigated privately and discovered the instructor's wife was running a pyramid scheme. He reported it without hesitation.

On August 6th, with the Olympics approaching, Jiang Qin hired ten people from the labor market to sell national flags and Fuwa mascots along the streets.

He ended up breaking even after paying wages, even losing 1,500 yuan, but seeing the streets awash in red made him happy.

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

Jiang Qin felt he'd gained a lot.

The beauty industry was indeed lucrative, but the upfront costs were high. Catering was stable and profitable fast, but you had to cut corners—or risk losses.

Plus, labor costs were a must-consider.

From the start, you had to figure out how to make customers foot the labor bill, not shoulder the risk yourself.

Take the flag-selling gig: 50 cents wholesale, sold for 3 yuan, yet he still lost money after wages.

Most importantly, never trust opportunities that fall into your lap, or you might end up in a mess you can't imagine.

Jiang Qin realized he genuinely loved doing business. Even losing money felt fun.

Why the hell didn't I try this in my last life?

Meanwhile, in the Class 2 of Senior Year 3 group chat, the newly admitted graduates were restless.

Their agitation differed from Jiang Qin's. His stemmed from commercial excitement; theirs was pure boredom.

"Guys, admission letters are out. Wanna hang out?"

"I'm in. Summer break's too long—I'm bored out of my mind at home. Been dying to go out."

"Any fun spots? We could group up and go!"

"I heard there's a bar across from the fire station. A bunch of people gather there, watching the Olympics while drinking. Let's check it out!"

As the chat picked up, more classmates jumped in.

Honestly, the post-exam break lasted three months. Staying home that long could drive anyone nuts, so the urge to go out was strong.

Back when studying ruled their lives, they didn't dare. The college entrance exam had crushed them breathless. Now, with time on their hands, why not let loose for youth's sake?

Chu Siqi: "I'm kinda annoyed too. Count me in if we're going out."

Qin Ziang: "Siqi's going? Then I'm in too."

Yu Shasha: "Me too, me too! I've never been to a bar. When are we going?"

"Forget it. We went a few days ago but couldn't get in—need reservations."

"Yeah, that bar's super hot right now. Packed every day. Heard even money can't snag a seat. How can broke students like us compete with adults?"

Guo Zihang: "Are you guys talking about Nightlight Bar?"

Qin Ziang: "What, you know it too?"

Guo Zihang: "You could ask Jiang Qin to book a spot."

"…"

"?????"

Guo Zihang's random comment left the whole group stunned.

Ask Jiang Qin to book a spot? What? Everyone couldn't get a seat, but he could? Did he have connections?

Qin Ziang: "Heh, Jiang Qin? He's not selling boxed lunches anymore—working as a bartender now?"

Yu Shasha: "That guy's obsessed with money. How poor is his family? He'll do anything."

Guo Zihang: "Not a bartender. He rented half the bar with cash. The group Olympic watch party was his idea. It got so popular the owner handed him the whole place to run."

Chu Siqi: "How much does renting half a bar cost?"

Guo Zihang: "Venue plus drinks—about 300,000 yuan, I think."

"…"

Yu Shasha: "You're kidding, right? Where'd he get 300,000? I know you're his buddy, but there's a limit to bragging."

Guo Zihang: "Bragging? I watched the opening ceremony at Nightlight yesterday—for free."

Huang Ying: "Guo Zihang's not exaggerating. Jiang Qin partnered with my mom a few days ago to import 500,000 yuan worth of beauty injections. He put in 100,000."

Yang Shuan: "My family's lamb soup shop opened a second location. Can't make the bar? Come drink soup at my place!"

Chu Siqi: "We're talking serious stuff—why are you advertising?"

Yang Shuan: "The second shop's got Jiang Qin's investment too. I don't know how much, but definitely over 100,000. I call him 'Uncle' now."

Guo Zihang: "Why 'Uncle'?"

Yang Shuan: "The day we signed the contract, Jiang Qin and my dad got drunk. Both were stumbling, insisting on becoming sworn brothers. No one could stop them."