Seeing this situation, Zhang Tianxing said nothing and handed over a cigarette.
The two of them began to puff smoke. Ma Qiang forced a bitter smile.
Damn it, he was a counselor, yet he lost his composure in front of a student today.
It was just a matter of finding someone to invest, he could always find someone else.
Thinking this, Ma Qiang suddenly looked at Zhang Tianxing.
The person in front of him was the perfect candidate. More importantly, he was a student, and Ma Qiang was his counselor, giving him a natural advantage.
However, this was a bit inappropriate. He was a teacher, how could he let a student pay? Ma Qiang was caught in an internal struggle.
"Hey, what's wrong with Ma Qiang? He's spaced out while smoking, the butt is about to burn his mouth."
Seeing Ma Qiang's blank eyes, Zhang Tianxing had to reach out and remove the cigarette butt from his mouth.
To prevent brother Qiang's handsome and delicate full lips from getting a blister.
Ma Qiang snapped back to reality. What was he just thinking?
"Brother Qiang, if you have something to say, just say it. If you ask someone else, it might not be as effective as asking me." Zhang Tianxing spoke directly.
Ma Qiang was a good person and had helped him a lot. He believed in repaying a drop of kindness with a gushing spring.
Besides, he was now much better off. He was also someone with capabilities.
Ma Qiang looked at Zhang Tianxing, let out a long sigh, and decided to just treat it as a chat to vent his frustrations.
"It's about our school's factory. I originally wanted to find a Mr. Zhang for help. I let their factory use two patents for free back then, which brought their factory back from the brink of death. Now, when I ask them for help, they only give me three hundred yuan. Tianxing, don't you think they are despicable?"
Hearing the strong unwillingness and deep resentment in Ma Qiang's words, Zhang Tianxing gave a wry smile.
"Brother Qiang, you did the right thing in this matter, and they acted unethically. However, from a legal standpoint, they are not at fault."
Upon hearing Zhang Tianxing's words, Ma Qiang became angry.
"I can't believe you're defending scum like that. Tell me, where are they not at fault!"
This infuriated Ma Qiang. After all his efforts, why was it made to sound like he was in the wrong? From beginning to end, Ma Qiang had been upright and honorable. How could Zhang Tianxing say that about him?
Seeing Ma Qiang's embarrassed rage, Zhang Tianxing smiled. Ma Qiang was too idealistic, always thinking the best of people, unaware of the treacherousness of the world and human hearts.
"Brother Qiang, then let me explain. Firstly, did you let them use it for free?"
Ma Qiang nodded. This was true. He had stated from the beginning that it was free, didn't that show his altruism?
"Also, several years have passed. You said it was free back then without charging, but now you want money. Is that appropriate?" Zhang Tianxing pressed on.
Ma Qiang was stunned into silence. Damn it, do all businessmen have to be as shameless as Zhang Tianxing to succeed?
"Brother Qiang, this fully illustrates one thing: you talk morality with them, and they talk rules with you. Now you talk rules with them, and they talk morality with you, leaving you speechless." Zhang Tianxing summarized the situation.
"Tianxing, then what should I do about this matter?" Ma Qiang humbly sought Zhang Tianxing's advice, as he wanted to solve this funding gap.
"What to do? Nothing can be done. In the business world, don't talk about morality. The marketplace has never been a place for morality." Zhang Tianxing shook his head. There were no such good things in the world. He could only find an opportunity to settle the score later. It was unlikely that Ma Qiang would have the chance. A university teacher competing with a business tycoon was a remote possibility, practically negligible.
"Then let me ask you something. The school factory needs someone to contract it. Are you interested?" Ma Qiang implored Zhang Tianxing for help.
Forget it, he couldn't worry about all that. He wasn't avoiding nepotism; he was helping Zhang Tianxing make money, not scamming him. He could proudly speak of this anywhere.
Zhang Tianxing shook his head. He was already too busy. He felt like he needed to split himself into four to share his worries.
Seeing Zhang Tianxing shake his head, Ma Qiang felt a bit disappointed, but he also understood a principle: investing money was unusual; not investing was normal.
Besides, Zhang Tianxing wouldn't care about such a small sum.
Seeing Ma Qiang's disappointment, Zhang Tianxing smiled.
"Brother Qiang, you don't need to be disappointed. Although I won't contract the school factory, I can invest in it."
Hearing Zhang Tianxing's words, Ma Qiang was stunned. Zhang Tianxing was willing to invest money; this was truly an unexpected joy.
Seeing Ma Qiang's delight, Zhang Tianxing poured cold water on him.
"Brother Qiang, don't get happy too soon. I have conditions for investing. That is to say, I expect a return on my investment."
Ma Qiang nodded. No matter who invested, it was for making money. This was only natural.
Zhang Tianxing quickly jotted down Guo Jiajia's phone number. "Brother Qiang, how about this: you can talk to this Guo Jiajia. She is in charge of investments. I can invest in the school factory project."
Hearing this news, Ma Qiang was so excited he almost jumped up. It was truly a case of the mountains and rivers ending, and a new village appearing amidst the willows and flowers.
He never expected Zhang Tianxing to help him so much. Ma Qiang immediately pledged, "Zhang Tianxing, you can rest assured. The school factory will definitely make money. The previous losses were due to historical reasons."
"Alright, Brother Qiang, you don't need to tell me this. You discuss this matter with Guo Jiajia. I can guarantee one thing, I will definitely invest money. As for how much, that depends on your abilities." Zhang Tianxing reassured Ma Qiang.
Seeing Ma Qiang so sad and helpless, and moreover, Ma Qiang wasn't doing this for himself, but for his two cohorts of students. In such a situation, if he didn't know, it would be fine, but since he did, he had to lend a hand.
A person must have principles. Some things, even at a loss, must be done to the best of one's ability. There are times for making money and times for losing money; nothing can continuously flow in without flowing out.
Zhang Tianxing deeply understood the principle of "the moon waxes and wanes" and the importance of acting low-key while doing things grandly.
After all is said and done, people's eyes are discerning.
Hearing this, Ma Qiang said no more. He made up his mind to manage it well and ensure Zhang Tianxing's investment yielded substantial profits.
He dared not boast about other things, but in this industry, Ma Qiang had a voice. Although he didn't understand business matters, he understood technology!
Ma Qiang had the confidence to turn the school factory around quickly from making losses to profits, starting with accessories.
Then, if there was an opportunity, Ma Qiang wouldn't mind letting Old Wang and Old Zhang see this school factory.
The factory, which they had begged to acquire back then, would become a backbone in accessory production, perhaps even surpassing their scale one day.