Chapter 113: Taking Flight
by xennovelFang Jun remained expressionless, utterly serious.
Xu Chen recalled how she’d fearlessly exposed the Mechanical Factory’s financial issues, causing a decades-old state-owned plant to collapse—and he knew she wasn’t joking.
Xu Chen smiled and said nothing more, carefully stowing his contract.
Fang Jun glanced at the laptop behind Xu Chen.
“So for the past hour you were working on the proposal?”
Xu Chen nodded. “Yeah. We pitch tomorrow, so I had to finish it.”
Fang Jun frowned, still unconvinced.
She peeked at the screen to see a document open, listing several company names.
It was Shengshi Great Wall, Meigao Creative, and a few competitors Xu Chen was using to shape his pitch strategy.
He turned back and explained,
“These are our competitors.
Even in a pitch, you need to know your rivals—only then do you stand a chance.
Sometimes you adjust your proposal based on who you’re up against.”
Fang Jun’s tone stayed cold and flat:
“You didn’t do this to show off for me, did you?”
…
Xu Chen looked exasperated but smiled,
“Is that how you usually speak?”
Fang Jun blinked, seeing nothing wrong.
Her remark had been a bit rude.
But Xu Chen sensed it came from disbelief that a high schooler could handle a pitch project—a frankness without malice.
No real ill will behind it.
In reading people, Xu Chen couldn’t match Guo Liang’s worldly knack, but in his past life he’d met all kinds of characters.
After two rounds with Fang Jun, he’d figured out her style.
Maybe she’d grown up privileged, truly unafraid of offending or causing trouble.
Well… not surprising for someone who toppled Bright Factory.
She meant no real harm, so Xu Chen didn’t mind.
“Let’s go—the flight’s boarding.”
He quickly packed his laptop and organized his bag.
…
While queuing to board, Xu Chen spotted Fang Jun’s boarding pass.
Luckily, she wasn’t seated next to him…
Her stare—like a detective locked on him—made him uneasy.
Economy class seats were cramped.
Xu Chen found his aisle seat and sat down.
Two middle-aged women wearing travel agency hats occupied the next seats—they were clearly tourists.
“Young man, heading to Shanghai? Also for sightseeing?”
Xu Chen smiled and gave a brief reply.
“You look about my age—is this your first flight?”
“Oh… yes.”
He didn’t bother explaining and pulled out two math workbooks, slipping into study mode.
The flight attendant demonstrated safety procedures, adjusted the chair, opened the tray table, and fastened seatbelts…
Xu Chen efficiently completed each step and returned to his problems.
The two novice flyers fumbled with everything.
“Oh dear, how do I undo this belt?”
“Where are the seat controls?”
…
Xu Chen glanced over and helped.
“Press here and the latch opens.”
“Push the button on the right armrest all the way, then sit up straight.”
“You need to raise the window shade now; you can close it after takeoff.”
…
After their fuss, the two noisy ladies were settled.
Silence returned, and Xu Chen dove back into his exercises.
“Young man, clearly not your first flight!”
Xu Chen offered a polite smile and said nothing.
…
In half an hour, Xu Chen finished both sets of problems.
Unbeknownst to him, Fang Jun in the rear had slipped away to the restroom several times, sneaking peeks.
She saw him meticulously studying with no break.
Even when the attendant served meals, Xu Chen ate his box lunch without letting go of his workbook.
…
After some turbulence, the plane landed smoothly.
Xu Chen queued to disembark and saw Fang Jun waiting at the exit.
He approached, smiling, then checked his phone and sent a message.
“I need to make a quick call here at the airport.”
Fang Jun asked, “A work call?”
Xu Chen thought: this “big sister”—a private detective, tracking even his calls.
“I have to confirm some details with a colleague in the Marketing Department for tomorrow’s pitch.
It’s part of my prep—better safe than sorry—to ensure the proposal succeeds.”
Fang Jun: “Mind if I listen in and learn?”
Xu Chen: “Of course. You’re here for the project too—feel free to chime in.”
Fang Jun: “Honestly I don’t know what you’re doing—hardly qualified to advise…”
Xu Chen smiled: “Once we win this, they’ll send the funds over. Then I’ll need you, Fang Jun, to handle finance and taxes.”
Fang Jun: “How large is this budget?”
Xu Chen: “This ad bid has three parts: creative, production, and media. We’re only on the creative side.
A budget of 1.2 million yuan.”
Fang Jun blinked in surprise.
“A 1.2 million-yuan project, and you’re a senior in high school? Really?”
She hesitated then whispered,
“And you don’t even have a team—it’s just you…”
Xu Chen thought and explained,
“Ad pitches focus on creative concepts—it’s a form of art.
Like songwriters or authors, it’s similar.
In theory, if you’re talented enough, one person can do it.
Some unknown singers go viral purely on creativity.
As long as our concept impresses the client, even a small firm can win.”
Fang Jun listened silently, feeling she’d learned something new.
Xu Chen added,
“But I can’t handle production or media.
Those need a production crew and media-buying team—impossible solo.”
“I see.”
Fang Jun nodded.
She realized this high schooler truly knew the industry.
His ad knowledge wasn’t that of an amateur.
His on-the-spot answers couldn’t be faked.
He really might pull this off…
Fang Jun frowned, her expression complex.
…
Neither had checked luggage—both carried only backpacks as they headed through the terminal.
Fang Jun: “I saw you doing problems the whole flight.”
Xu Chen: “The college entrance exam is next month—I have to review.”
Fang Jun: “Your family’s well-off; you could run a company yourself… why study so hard?”
Xu Chen: “I’m not that studious—there’s only a month until the exam, and right now studying pays off most.
Every problem I solve now sticks in my memory—each point is a gain!”
Fang Jun: “If you could start a company now, you wouldn’t need a top university…”
Xu Chen: “Skills never hurt.
My family business doesn’t stop me from chasing a good college.
A strong university gives me platform and security.
It broadens horizons, networks, and future resources.
It might even help my dad’s business later.
If Dad’s business fails, a top-school graduate has an easier time finding work.
If he can’t make it, I’ll need to support him…”
Fang Jun listened, expression softening.
Xu Chen continued,
“I’m not extraordinarily hardworking; I just invest effort within my comfort zone.”
Fang Jun fell silent, then said,
“I know many privileged people who aren’t as driven as you.
They rely on family wealth.
They’d never plan so thoroughly for parents…”
She paused, then added:
“You’re so young but unlike anyone I know.”
Xu Chen said nothing more.
He pondered her words, sensing her changed view.
Fang Jun’s attitude had visibly shifted.
She asked,
“First time in Shanghai?”
Xu Chen considered and answered truthfully:
“Yes—it’s my first trip this far.”
Although in his past life he’d traveled on business many times…
“It is. My first big trip.”
Fang Jun: “I’ll treat you to dinner later. I’ve toured Shanghai a few times and know it well.”
Xu Chen: “That’d be great.”
He guessed that at eighteen, he looked like a kid who’d never left home—a decade younger than the thirty-something Fang Jun.
Fang Jun: “I saw President Xu’s itinerary—you pitch tomorrow, but you don’t return until the day after.”
Xu Chen: “No need, Fang Jun—I have plans that day.”
Fang Jun: “Alright. Let me know if you need anything.”
Xu Chen smiled obediently:
“Thanks a lot, Sister Fang Jun!”
…
Hu East Airport was far more spacious than the provincial terminal.
They wandered until they reached the airport Starbucks.
Xu Chen didn’t follow her inside; he tilted his head to watch the TV mounted outside.
It displayed sports news, a preview of the National Youth Athletics Championships during Labor Day.
A segment mentioned Xie Bingran, and Xu Chen smiled, studying the report.