The Game of Life

Truly a godsend for the takeout industry.

Zhang Weis WeChat official account was ready, and he taught Jiang Feng hands-on how to operate it. He even posted on his Moments to help promote the account, but unfortunately, the effect was far from satisfactory.

Although Ji Yue would recommend customers to scan and follow the WeChat account when ordering, and the QR code was posted on the tables, it still didnt gain much traction.

The classmates from his class were quite supportive, with everyone following the account and many helping to share and promote it, becoming the main force of the takeout service. But after three days, the followers just barely passed the halfway mark.

It seemed that every task of Jiang Fengs had hit a bottleneck, with no significant progress.

Having a rare free Saturday, and with most UAL University students preferring to stay in their dorms and live on takeout, the business was much slower, giving everyone a bit of leisure.

The club recruitment was next week, and the Chess Club, suffering from insufficient membership, hadnt even secured an activity room, with pitifully little funding. Moreover, if they couldnt trick a few new members this year, they feared they would be mercilessly disbanded by the student union.

Without an activity room, theyd make one themselves. Since the restaurant wasnt busy on the weekend, all the Chess Club members gathered together at the Healthy Stir-fry Restaurants second floor to brainstorm novel ways to attract freshmens attention at the upcoming club recruitment.

Together with Jiang Feng and the newly joined Liu Qian, there were nine people in the Chess Club, not one fewer, all gathered at the Healthy Stir-fry Restaurant. Even the former president, Ji Yue, joined the discussion, worried about the clubs future.

Since when did our club gain a new member? Which major are you from, classmate? He Jiahui, a senior student from the fine arts department, should have left the club a long time ago. She stayed only because the club struggled to recruit new members.

Im Liu Qian, a sophomore from the Chinese literature department. Liu Qian hadnt joined any club in her freshman year, so this first-time club activity felt fresh to her.

He Jiahui, a direct junior under Ji Yue, knew about chess only to the extent of knights move in an L-shape and elephants move diagonally. She was completely conned into joining the club by Ji Yue back in the day.

He, you really dont pay much attention to our clubs affairs, Qiu Chen said, feeling the need to stand up and speak as the vice president. How could you not know about such a big thing as our club getting new members? Didnt I tag everyone in the group chat before? Also, Chen, Zhao, Feng, it must be your first time coming to their familys restaurant, right?

Zhao Linling put down her phone when she heard her name mentioned.

She and Chen Mengxing were both law seniors.

We wanted to support this place too, but as seniors with internships, its been hard finding a law firm, and weve been working overtime every day to the point of losing our hair, so theres no time to go out to eat! Zhao Linling couldnt help but protest her innocence.

Yeah, Ive been busy looking for internships too! added He Jiahui in her defense.

No sooner had He Jiahui finished speaking than Jiang Feng and Ji Yue came up with plum drinks. The drinks were freshly taken out of the fridge and condensed with mist on the glasses, looking quite attractive paired with the amber-colored plum drink.

He, have you found an internship yet? Jiang Feng offered her a plum drink.

Not yet, us art students are unemployed before we even graduate! He Jiahui took the plum drink, took a big gulp, and her eyes lit up, eager to swallow it down.

Wow, junior, where do you buy this plum drink from? What brand? Its really good, I want to get some too!

My dad made it, said Jiang Feng, as he and Ji Yue handed out the plum drinks to everyone.

Thank you, president, Liu Qian said cheerfully as she took the plum drink.

Did you all come up with anything? The club will be disbanded if it doesnt reach 12 members, Ji Yue asked.

Not yet, dont worry so much, sister! Theres always a way where theres a will. If needed, we could send junior to hustle a couple of newbies from his college. What if he manages to do it? See, we havent even started recruiting and he already hustled Liu, Liu Qian to join! He Jiahui appeared very laissez-faire, finishing her plum drink in a few gulps, Junior, another one please!

Dont drink too much chilled stuff, Ji Yue advised, turning his gaze to the more reliable-looking Chen Mengxing, Mengxing, you recruited Jiang Feng and Qiu Chen back then. What should we do for recruitment this year?

Theres no more plum drink, how about some mung bean drink? Jiang Feng offered.

He Jiahui nodded repeatedly, and Liu Qian quickly added, President, I want some too!

Jiang Feng went down to fetch the mung bean drinks for them.

We could hand out flyers. If all else fails, like He Jiahui suggested, well pull people from our own departments freshmen. They dont know any better, so if we can deceive one, thats one gained, and later well tell them they can only leave the club after three months, said Chen Mengxing who didnt have many options.

Great idea! echoed He Jiahui, Ji Yue, and Zhao Linling in unison.

The newbie Liu Qian was dumbstruck.

Why cant we use some normal promotional methods, like telling everyone that Chess Club members get a ten percent discount at the Healthy Stir-fry Restaurant, and there are also club benefits, like free plum juice or mung bean soup? asked Liu Qian.

How could anyone join a meaningless club that doesnt have funding or contribute to extra credit just for a ten percent discount on food? UAL University stipulates that each person can only join one club, Liu Zixuan retorted.

Liu Qian silently looked at him.

All of a sudden, Liu Zixuan froze, as if struck by a heavy blow.

Zhao Yang and Zhao Yu, who were both in a half-dazed state, simultaneously turned their gazes towards Liu Qian.

What whats wrong? He Jiahui was somewhat confused, not understanding why the air had suddenly quieted.

Our Liu junior joined the Chess Club just for the food discount! Qiu Chen exclaimed, slapping the table.

Is it really that delicious? He Jiahui asked incredulously.

It really is that delicious, Ji Yue nodded solemnly. Just at that moment, Jiang Feng arrived with the mung bean soup. Ji Yue, looking at Jiang Feng, wore a face of contentment. Jiang Feng, I knew I hadnt misjudged you. Trusting the Chess Club to you was definitely the right decision!

What? Jiang Feng said, looking bewildered.

Keep it up, the future of the Chess Club is relying on you! Ji Yue patted Jiang Feng on the shoulder.

Qiu Chen relayed Liu Qians suggestion to Jiang Feng. After hearing it, Jiang Feng paused for a moment, then said, Excuse me, I need to use the restroom.

Once in the restroom, Jiang Feng opened up his attribute panel to check on the progress of his main quest.

Main Quest:

1. Stand Firm: Achieve recognition from 1000 diners for the Healthy Stir-fry Restaurant, quest progress (34/1000).

Quest Hint: Recognition from diners is crucial for a new establishment. Please ensure that the Healthy Stir-fry Restaurant becomes the number one restaurant in the minds of many diners at UAL University.

Quest Reward: Unknown.

So far, the Healthy Stir-fry Restaurant had gained the approval of only 34 customers, with Liu Qian definitely being one of them. But of these 34 customers, how many had never joined a club? And among those not in a club, how many would be willing to join the Chess Club just for a ten percent food discount, like Liu Qian?

Liu Qians suggestion was indeed a good method.

However, it required a bit of ruthlessness.

When Jiang Feng returned to the private room, the group was conversing excitedly. Zhao Linling was complaining to everyone about her increasingly thinning hair, which even the legendary King of Hair Products could not save.

Lets do as Liu Qian suggested. Well print flyers to promote the club benefits and the ten percent discount on food. However, for the specific design, well need He juniors expertise, Jiang Feng said.

No problem, I will design it to be upscale and classy, so that no one will be able to tell that the Chess Club is a club that cant even secure funding, He Jiahui assured Jiang Feng with an ok gesture.

We should still advertise in the freshman group chat, and thats where well need Zhao and Chen, Jiang Feng continued.

Zhao Linling and Chen Mengxing also signaled their ok.

The rest will require some hard work. The setup, presentation, and distribution of flyers during recruitment days all depend on you guys, Jiang Feng added.

Presentation? What kind of presentation? asked Liu Qian.

My familys restaurant is new, with not much fame or attraction yet, so naturally, we need to prepare some pastries and drinks for tasting to attract freshmen, explained Jiang Feng.

Pastries? Your uncle knows how to make pastries? Liu Zixuan asked curiously. The Healthy Stir-fry Restaurant didnt sell pastries.

My great-uncle does, Jiang Feng replied with a victorious smile.

Despite appearances, Jiang Jianguo was more than just a tailor. In fact, he had inherited at least seventy percent of the skills of the old Sir, Jiang Weiguo. Moreover, to woo Auntie, he had perfected pastries to a magnificent and lifelike degree.

The students of UAL University were in for a treat.