Who Would Fall in Love After Being Reborn?

Chapter 221: A New Kind of Friendship

TL: Etude

Popularity, much like a bicycle, never stops until it reaches its peak. All you need to do is steady the handlebars and control the direction, and you’re bound to achieve the result you desire.

This is the essence of internet marketing.

But steadying the handlebars is a skill in itself, requiring a balance of force and consistency.

“How’s the competition going?”

After accessing the backend, Su Nai spoke up: “The gap is gradually widening. Zhang Zixuan is currently the top contender from the University of Science and Technology, and Sheng Jia is leading at the Normal University. But in terms of votes, Sheng Jia is quite a bit less popular than Zhang Zixuan.”

Jiang Qin nodded, “Keep observing, pay less attention to the video sites, focus more on the data backend.”

“I haven’t been watching!”

“Bullshit, then how did my favorites disappear? Did those silk stockings walk away on their own?”

Su Nai, infuriated, glared at the computer screen, huffing in silence.

The heat of the campus beauty contest usually peaks in the last week of the finals because that’s when the vote gap widens significantly. To climb the ranks, one must pull out all the stops.

Thus, the campus beauties from both universities personally entered the fray, updating their live photos at least twice a day.

With the advantage of her ample bosom, Zhang Zixuan from the University of Science and Technology was like a fish in water, even managing to sway many students from the Normal University.

The people from Linchuan University and the Polytechnic University, though not having voting rights, were also highly engaged.

Every day, they would visit the campus beauty life sharing posts several times, leaving comments like, “Nothing much to say, thank the internet.”

However, Zhang Zixuan’s overwhelming popularity provoked the ire of Normal University.

Losing to Linchuan University was not shameful, nor was losing to the Polytechnic University. But losing to the University of Science and Technology, where only thirty percent of the students were female, was a humiliation.

Before the contest began, students from Normal University used to mock the University of Science and Technology, saying they were picking generals from cripples due to the low number of female students.

Now the tables had turned. If the generals from among the cripples were outperforming you, what then?

Therefore, almost everyone at Normal University was mobilized to vote, and it took two days for them to push their campus beauty, Sheng Jia, up the ranks, catching up with Zhang Zixuan.

“Boss, Normal University’s offensive is fierce. Sheng Jia is about to surpass Zhang Zixuan.”

“How big is the gap?”

“Fifty votes.”

“Add two hundred votes to Zhang Zixuan. Keep her in the lead to stimulate the competitive spirit of Normal University.”

Jiang Qin spoke emotionlessly, manipulating the atmosphere of the two universities with just a few words, driving the men of Normal University to frantically chase the numbers.

A day later, the situation began to reverse.

“Boss, the gap’s too big. People at Normal University feel they can’t catch up, and the voting rate is slowing down.”

“How much is the difference?”

“Sheng Jia is behind Zhang Zixuan by 520 votes.”

“Add 800 votes to Sheng Jia, let her overtake Zhang Zixuan, and simultaneously give the University of Science and Technology a jolt.”

Jiang Qin controlled the behind-the-scenes actions through the phone, easily overturning the situation and switching the offensive and defensive sides. He casually fed a juicy piece of beef brisket to the little rich lady, while thoughtfully stirring his chopsticks.

The conflict intensified.

To climb the ranks, the campus beauties’ live photos became increasingly revealing.

For the first time, male students from all four universities sincerely thanked the internet’s booming development from the bottom of their hearts.

“Got a bit of an emergency, I’ll have to stop here for today.”

“Nothing much to say, thank the internet!”

“I, Li Dazhuang from Linchuan University, am watching this with my real name!”

“Please, sister, post more. I’m a high school student from the 2009 batch, I swear, I’ll get into the University of Science and Technology this year!”

“Ever since the campus beauty contest started, my physical condition has deteriorated.”

“Post more, not because I’m lecherous, I just want to know my limits!”

“You devil, let me assist you in my cultivation today!”

Two days later, as the heat nearly reached its peak and the increase in new users began to slow, Jiang Qin immediately called back Wei Lanlan and Tan Qing to start planning a comprehensive promotion for group purchases.

Of course, how to promote quickly and effectively is a profound art in itself.

Take, for instance, the group buying promotion at Linchuan University. They leveraged the first snowfall in Lincheng, focusing on the convenience in extreme weather conditions.

The Polytechnic University’s promotion was tied to the New Year sales, capturing a large user base with attractive discounts.

But what promotional theme could the University of Science and Technology and Normal University use?

With no significant holidays or inconvenient travel times, a cross-platform draw requires something eye-catching, doesn’t it?

For this, the team in Room 208 racked their brains until Jiang Qin’s simple suggestion woke them like a dream.

“Spend some money, get senior Zhang Zixuan to be the spokesperson for the group buying. Try making a life-sized cutout or something.”

“?!”

The day after the life-sized cutout was made, the registration for new users in the group buying scheme surged unexpectedly, leaving everyone in Room 208 wide-eyed.

Damn, people really are drawn to eye-catching stuff, aren’t they?

“Sister Su Nai, did the registration numbers for the group buying go up?”

On Friday morning, Wei Lanlan and Tan Qing hurried back from the University of Science and Technology and Normal University to check the detailed increase in numbers.

After accessing the backend, Su Nai spoke seriously, “It’s like riding a rocket, the numbers are shooting up.”

Wei Lanlan and Tan Qing exchanged glances, “Just a cutout has such a strong effect. The boss really has a deep understanding of market marketing.”

“Let’s order a few more cutouts then, and take over the markets of both universities this week.”

“I think that’s a good idea.”

Wei Lanlan was bubbling with enthusiasm when she suddenly noticed Jiang Qin was missing, “Hey, where did the boss go?”

“He said he couldn’t handle it anymore. He’s left the rest to us and is taking a break,” Su Nai adjusted her glasses.

“For how many days?”

“Probably three days.”

Jiang Qin had been bustling about since the start of school, clearing the track, removing obstacles, finding a protector, and finally bringing everything under control. His mental and physical exhaustion had reached an extreme state.

Seeing that the bullet had already been fired towards the set target, he decided to take a long, lazy sleep.

On Wednesday morning, a spring rain fell gently and persistently, threading into fine lines, bringing coolness and freshness, and cloaking the entire campus in a misty haze.

The blossoming flowers and the lush greenery of the trees were cleansed by the spring rain, appearing delicately dewy.

At this time, Jiang Qin sat in his dark and quiet dorm room, logged into his private forum account, and posted a query, asking fellow students if it was okay for good friends to kiss.

If yes, please provide a convincing argument of no less than three hundred words.

After posting, Jiang Qin, with his legs crossed, idly flicked a small desk ornament, making a clicking sound.

He didn’t trust the answers from Baidu, which he found unreliable.

Just like how a simple body discomfort search on Baidu could escalate to cancer, even recommending a Putian hospital system for consultation. (Putian hospital -> super specialized hospitals in China, leading to exaggerations and then poor reputation)

For genuine and effective answers, he preferred the responses from real users on the forum.

However, due to the overwhelming popularity of the campus beauty contest, other topics received little attention, and his post saw slow responses.

Jiang Qin didn’t just wait around. He called his dorm mates to come down for a game of cards.

Outside, the spring rain continued, gently tapping on the windows, and even the occasional thunder was unusually gentle, not as boisterous as in other seasons. The four of them in the dim room played cards and chatted leisurely, creating a relaxed atmosphere.

“Old Jiang, you were so busy the past few days you barely had time to wear your pants. Why are you suddenly free now?”

“Made too much money. My hands are cramping from counting it, taking a break for two days,” Jiang Qin said nonchalantly.

Cao Guangyu almost choked, torn between not wanting his friend to suffer and not wanting him to be too successful.

“Jiang, I’m out of cigarettes. Do you have any?” Ren Ziqiang shook his empty cigarette pack.

Jiang Qin pulled out half a pack of Zhonghua from his jacket pocket and tossed it over, “Smoke less, be careful of lung cancer.”

“You don’t smoke, right? Why are you carrying Zhonghua?” (top Chinese cigarette brand, associated with high ranking officials)

“Good for doing business, carrying a pack of cigarettes makes things easier. This pack got squashed, can’t use it for business, so it’s yours now.”

Ren Ziqiang was thrilled, lighting up while shuffling cards.

Cao Guangyu thought to himself that he didn’t smoke either, but carrying a pack of Zhonghua seemed quite classy, not only making one appear mature but also quite worldly. It might be worth emulating.

“Old Ren, did you pass your makeup exam?” Zhou Chao threw out three sevens of clubs.

Ren Ziqiang, amidst a haze of smoke, replied, “Passed. And this failure in exams has led me to a new plan for life.”

“What plan?”

“I’ve decided to have a spectacular romance.”

Cao Guangyu raised an eyebrow, “So, your takeaway from failing an exam is to become a lovesick fool again?”

Ren Ziqiang’s face darkened, “It’s not about being a fool; it’s about falling in love. Think about it, I don’t have any bad habits other than smoking, and still, I failed. Isn’t that a loss? It’s better to fall in love and then fail. At least I would have enjoyed something.”

After hearing this, Zhou Chao laughed, “But last semester, you didn’t date not because of studying, but because you couldn’t find anyone.”

“Regardless, this time I must stand up and be the third in our dorm to have a girlfriend.”

“Old Ren, pass me a cigarette,” Jiang Qin suddenly gestured.

“?”

Jiang Qin took the cigarette back, “If you want to smoke, buy your own.”

Ren Ziqiang: “…”

After playing cards for over an hour and with the rain still falling outside, the four had no plans to go out for food and simply ordered a meal through group buying.

While waiting for the food, Jiang Qin returned to his computer to check his forum post.

As expected, there were already a dozen responses in the comment section.

“Good friends should not kiss each other. Brother, I advise you to stay calm.”

“I suspect you’re trying a very new kind of friendship, but I must tell you, it’s unreasonable. Abandon your dirty thoughts immediately.”

“Good friends wanting to kiss? That’s hilarious.”

“Good friends can hold hands, maybe hug, but kissing is definitely not okay.”

“Are you a pervert? She sees you as a friend, and you want to kiss her? Deserves a beating!”

“I am a gentleman and I don’t think it’s right.”

Jiang Qin’s face darkened as he opened their profiles one by one, only to find these ‘gentlemen’ were the same ones clamoring for more pictures in the campus beauty’s daily photo posts, expressing their love for them.

Damn it, you guys can leer, but I can’t even kiss a good friend? Is there no justice left?

TL: Damn you Jiang Qin!!

AN: My laptop fan is broken, sounds like a damn tractor. Now going to get it fixed, typing this on my phone and crying. Please support with monthly tickets!!!

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