Chapter 166: Fateful Encounters

Professor Wang Jian recognized Xu Chen and looked just as surprised.

He thought for a moment and suddenly realized something:

“So, you really are a high school senior?”

Xu Chen laughed. “What else would I be?”

Wang Jian: “A high school senior who can start an ad agency and win a bid worth over a million yuan…”

This makes me, a mere advertising professor, feel truly inadequate.”

Chen Dahai stood nearby, his small eyes blinking rapidly, hardly believing what he heard.

A million yuan?!

An ad agency?!

Just how many things had Young Master Xu been hiding from his good buddy?!

……

Xu Chen said nothing, just smiled humbly.

Wang Jian hesitated a bit, then tentatively asked:

“What did you score on the college entrance exam?”

His tone was a little subtle.

As a 985 university, Tonghai naturally has high admission scores.

The moment Wang Jian saw Xu Chen, he felt a sense of regret for not recruiting such talent sooner.

But he worried that Xu Chen’s scores might not meet Tonghai’s cutoff, turning his hopes to disappointment.

Xu Chen replied casually:

“628.”

Wang Jian froze for a second, then grabbed Xu Chen’s arm as if afraid he’d run away.

He laughed heartily and said:

“So, have you decided which university to apply to?”

Xu Chen: “Not yet!”

Wang Jian still held Xu Chen’s arm, keeping his face calm but eager:

“You’ve started your own ad agency, and from your last proposal, you’re sharp in advertising.

How about considering the advertising major?”

Xu Chen: “That thought has crossed my mind.”

Wang Jian: “You probably know about Tonghai University in Shanghai…

But what you might not know is that our advertising department is now ranked third in the country.

Our dean studied in Germany and returned to join Tongji; he’s the top figure in creative design here…

And that boosted our advertising department’s rise.”

He leaned in closer to Xu Chen:

“You get what I’m saying, right, Teacher Xiao Xu?”

Xu Chen chuckled:

“I get it, Teacher Wang.

I’m actually considering Tonghai’s advertising department.

Though with my score, I could also get into Xia University’s advertising program—that’s number one nationwide.

Plus, I’m thinking about trying for Zhejiang University or Renmin University; my score gives me a shot.”

Wang Jian cleared his throat, gripping Xu Chen’s arm even tighter:

“Xia University claims the top spot in advertising, but Xiamen doesn’t have many ad agencies.

Advertising is a practical field—you can’t just stay in the classroom theorizing.

The world’s top ad firms are all in Shanghai—you know that.

If you’re studying advertising, going anywhere else is like barking up the wrong tree!

And Zhejiang or Renmin— their advertising departments aren’t that strong, plus you might not get your preferred major…”

He spoke calmly, but it was clear he was getting urgent.

Xu Chen stayed composed and just smiled. “I’ll think about it some more.”

He’d pretty much made up his mind but said this to tease Wang Jian, who was amusingly eager.

Plus, he wanted to see if there were other perks to uncover.

……

Wang Jian thought it over, pulled Xu Chen to a seat, and said quietly:

“I’m a professor, you know?

Well, technically an associate professor…”

Xu Chen: “I know, Professor Wang. Last time at Renhe, the clients mentioned it.”

Wang Jian smiled and continued:

“Normally, recruitment like this doesn’t involve us professors; the admissions office handles it.

This year, to attract top talent from various provinces, they assigned a recruitment professor to key cities in major areas.

And by chance, I got Tiancheng.

What’s even more surprising is running into you here.”

He still held Xu Chen’s hand and paused before adding:

“I actually have a scholarship spot available.

Each professor assigned has just one, and only one.

If you apply to Tonghai’s advertising department, I’ll save it for you—your tuition and fees for the whole undergrad will be waived…”

Xu Chen kept a straight face, but inside he was grinning.

He’d actually dug up some real benefits.

Just filling out a university application and suddenly four years of fees are covered?!

Was this the legendary ‘innate money-making body’?

It wasn’t much, but it was a nice surprise!

Chen Dahai, eavesdropping nearby, was even more speechless.

He glanced back at the X display stand.

This was Tonghai University!

A top 985 school in Shanghai!

And here was a professor pushing for Young Master Xu to apply?!

Even offering to waive four years of fees?!

……

Wang Jian gripped Xu Chen’s arm tightly:

“What do you think, Teacher Xiao Xu?

I’m not going to lie— I have a task for this recruitment trip.

I need to award this scholarship, but not just to anyone.

I’m lucky to have found you!”

Xu Chen nodded slightly and said:

“Professor Wang, I’m numb.”

“Ah?! What do you mean, numb?”

“My arm’s numb.”

Wang Jian looked down and laughed, finally letting go of Xu Chen’s arm.

Xu Chen straightened up and said seriously:

“Thank you, Professor Wang, for thinking so highly of me!

I’ll give it serious thought. I was already considering Tonghai, and meeting you here feels like good luck.

But I need to discuss the college application with my family.

I’ll decide by tomorrow!”

Wang Jian smiled and shook Xu Chen’s hand:

“Once you decide tomorrow, let me know right away.

I’ll hold this scholarship for you until then— that’s my promise, and Tonghai’s advertising department’s too.”

Xu Chen: “Thanks a lot, Professor Wang!”

Wang Jian pulled out his phone and said:

“Sorry, last time in Shanghai, I don’t think I got your number.”

Xu Chen quickly took out his mobile phone and exchanged contact info with Wang Jian.

They chatted a bit more; Xu Chen recommended a few good local restaurants before saying goodbye.

……

……

Chen Dahai blinked his small eyes and hurried after him.

“Young Master Xu, how many secrets are you still hiding from me?!

Aren’t we good buddies?

Why do I suddenly feel like I don’t know you at all?!”

Xu Chen: “……”

……

With nothing else in the afternoon, Xu Chen invited Chen Dahai and the others to hit up an internet café for some gaming.

The guys teamed up for CS, while Chen Dahai grinded away in Dark and Darker 2 dungeons.

Having played all sorts of next-gen AAA games in his past life, Xu Chen found the games of this era a bit underwhelming.

He’d thought Dark and Darker 3 was an insult to Dark and Darker 2 back then.

But replaying Dark and Darker 2 now, the endless grinding just wore him out…

He logged into QQ and saw a few unread messages.

Surprisingly, one was from the mayor’s daughter, Feng Qingqing.

[Why haven’t I seen you at driving practice these past couple of days?]

[Oh… the instructor figured I’d practiced enough, so he signed me up for the test. I’ll take it next week.]

Xu Chen sent the message, and soon Feng Qingqing replied.

[What did you score on the college entrance exam?]

[628]

[……]

Feng Qingqing typed for a long time before replying with just ‘Congratulations.’

Xu Chen sent back a smiley emoji and didn’t ask about her score.

From their previous meetings, the mayor’s daughter didn’t seem like a hard studier, so her scores were probably average.

Sure enough, after a while, Feng Qingqing messaged:

[I’m so jealous. My score’s only good for a second-tier university.

I’m thinking about retaking, but my dad wants me to go to a second-tier and then try for grad school…]

Xu Chen thought it over— Feng Wenjiang, the mayor, was friends with his father Xu Zhiquan…

As someone reborn with hindsight, he decided to give Feng Qingqing some advice; whether she took it was up to her.

[Your family’s in a great spot— both parents are civil servants, and your uncle Feng as mayor has real pull…

I suggest skipping the retake and grad school idea. Just aim straight for a civil service exam.

With your parents both in the system, you’ve got advantages others envy for exams and placements…]

Feng Qingqing typed for a bit before responding:

[Thanks, Xu Chen! I can tell you’re looking out for me.

My exam score’s too low, so it’s unlikely I’ll end up in the same city as you for college.]

This reply was a bit awkward; Xu Chen felt speechless.

He thought for a second and sent back a goofy laugh emoji to brush it off.

……

Besides Feng Qingqing’s message, there was one from that mysterious user, NetAffairsLikeSmoke.

The yellow-haired cartoon avatar popped up with a message:

[Congratulations, Xu Chen! Such a great exam score— I’m really happy for you!]

Xu Chen thought about it and just replied with ‘Thanks.’

……

……

Chen Dahai and the others looked set to game until midnight.

Xu Chen treated them, buying cola, snacks, and cigarettes for everyone, then said goodbye and left alone.

In the evening, he returned to school by himself, wandering the campus thoughtfully.

It was like a sentimental farewell.

He grabbed a meal at the cafeteria again— still bland and tasteless.

That long table in the corner hadn’t seen a big group since Bing Ge left.

Bing Ge was gone.

And his crew had scattered to the winds.

……

……

He had to come back tomorrow to submit his application, so he planned to crash in the office overnight.

Around nine that evening, Xu Chen arrived at Jinfeng Business Tower and headed to the reception room with some washed fruit.

He pulled the college application form from his backpack and filled it out quickly.

Xu Chen thought for a moment and sent a message to Xie Bingran:

[I’ve picked a university in Shanghai. I’ll tell you once I get the acceptance letter.]

[Oh. I’ll wait.]

……

Xu Chen freshened up quickly, yawned, and headed to the rest room to sleep.

The gray-black thin blanket on the bed was folded neatly, just as Xie Bingran had left it last time.

His phone buzzed suddenly— it was a message from Bing Ge:

[See you in Shanghai.]