Chapter 212: Whispers of Business and Family

Sun Aimi got Xu Chen’s meaning; this was a private project invitation.

In the cultural and creative industries, taking on private gigs was pretty common, which is why there were so many so-called ‘freelance designers’ and ‘freelance writers’ out there.

Ad industry workers at the bottom rungs earned low salaries, especially in a top-tier city like Yangcheng, so plenty of talented designers were eager to pick up side jobs for extra cash.

But some companies had strict rules for on-site employees, banning them from taking outside work.

Black Duke Marketing was no different; though many still grabbed occasional outside jobs for a bit of extra money, they kept it under wraps to avoid getting caught.

With Chen Xiaolong from the same company around, Sun Aimi felt a bit on edge.

On top of that, Chen Xiaolong always listened closely to what Li Fengfeng said…

Sun Aimi didn’t want to take on the job from ‘Teacher Xu Chen’, but she was already worried Chen Xiaolong might run to Li Fengfeng and tattle.

Xu Chen smiled, already knowing the score, and picked up from where he’d left off:

“I don’t know if Teacher Aimi has the time…”

“To take a look and maybe give some feedback when it’s ready.”

Sun Aimi looked relieved and laughed as she said:

“Giving feedback is fine; we can just chat online about it!”

If it was just about offering opinions, that wouldn’t be any trouble at all.

Xu Chen: “Thanks in advance, Teacher Aimi!”

In his mind, he was planning to have Sun Aimi handle the logo and visual design for Chenfeng Technology and Chenfeng Ice Power.

After all, Xu Chen knew she had the professional skills for it.

At the same time, he hoped this simple design task would let Sun Aimi learn about East Morning Star Advertising and the company behind it, East Morning Star Co., paving the way for bringing her on board later.

Over the past couple of days, Xu Chen had thought it through; recruiting Sun Aimi would be a big help down the line.

From promoting Chenfeng Electric Vehicles to the new projects at East Morning Star Advertising, and even future promotions for Ran Bing Sports, they needed a skilled and reliable designer.

Sun Aimi was young, full of potential, and definitely a solid choice.

The key was, she hadn’t reached director level yet, so her salary wasn’t sky-high; the value for money was excellent.

…

Not long after Sun Aimi left, Li Fengfeng knocked and entered the meeting room.

He had a few signed photos in his hand:

“I got these from the endorser’s agent; they signed them just last night.”

“Thanks, Li Fengfeng,” Xu Chen said with a smile as he took them.

He knew full well that celebrities often didn’t sign these themselves.

The more careful ones might have a staff member with similar handwriting do it, while others just let anyone scribble something.

Xu Chen casually passed the stack of signed photos to Fang Jun beside him; after all, she’d specifically asked for them.

He then picked up the two quote invoices on the table and handed them to Li Fengfeng.

Li Fengfeng glanced at Xu Chen’s signature in the ‘Producer Review’ section, said “Thanks, Teacher Xu Chen,” and quickly tucked them away.

“We’ve got four more shots to film, and that should wrap things up.

After that, should you two head straight to the airport, or have Chen Xiaolong drive you?”

Xu Chen thought for a moment: “That would be really helpful.”

…

…

Around four in the afternoon, they finished all the shots.

The endorsers had already left, but the director’s team was still busy, needing to reshoot a few empty scenes.

Xu Chen checked the time and said to Chen Xiaolong:

“Let’s head to the airport, but first, we need to stop by Dongshan Mouth; we’re picking up some souvenirs there…”

“Sure thing!” Chen Xiaolong replied.

Xu Chen and Fang Jun came out of the meeting room, said a quick goodbye to the director and Li Fengfeng, then followed Chen Xiaolong downstairs.

The white Odyssey quickly pulled out of the Creative Park and headed toward Yuexiu’s Dongshan Mouth…

Fang Jun scrolled through her phone and said:

“Feifei and the others are still out playing; we’ll grab a bite and then go straight to the airport.”

…

Twenty minutes later, the Odyssey arrived at a street in Dongshan Mouth.

Chen Xiaolong got out from the driver’s seat and opened the back door for them.

“I’ll park up ahead; just call me when you’re done, and I’ll come get you,” Chen Xiaolong said.

Xu Chen and Fang Jun stepped out:

“Thanks, Teacher Chen!”

Chen Xiaolong drove off.

Fang Jun checked her phone and pointed to the fork ahead:

“Turn right up there.”

As they walked, Xu Chen couldn’t help but laugh:

“We’re acting just like underground operatives.”

Fang Jun stayed serious, leading the way.

Xu Chen glanced back and noticed a ‘Great Person’s Former Residence Site’ nearby.

Dongshan Mouth was a famous old spot in Yangcheng; since the late Qing Dynasty, they’d said ‘West Gate ladies and East Mountain gentlemen.’

As they kept walking, Fang Jun mentioned casually:

“I flipped through those quote invoices in the car; there’s definitely something off.”

Xu Chen: “What exactly?”

Fang Jun: “In yesterday’s and today’s invoices, about a third of the items are duplicates, with some price differences, but the amounts aren’t huge.”

Xu Chen: “Not huge?”

Fang Jun: “I haven’t looked closely, but probably around two or three thousand in discrepancies…”

This is just a tiny blip in a multi-million invoice; if the total adds up, finance usually doesn’t dig too deep.

After all, those items are already broken down to the smallest details, some even under a hundred yuan for materials and such…”

Xu Chen pondered and said:

“Sounds like a test.”

Fang Jun: “A test?”

Xu Chen: “Testing if I’d really scrutinize those invoices!”

He paused. “For now, let’s play it cool, act like we didn’t notice.

The fox will show its tail eventually.”

Fang Jun: “You seem pretty sure Li Fengfeng will pull something.”

Xu Chen: “I’ve heard some rumors in the industry and wanted to check.

Plus, we’re on the client’s payroll, so we’ve got to keep an eye out for them.

This ad shoot is straightforward, but with celebrity endorsers, the costs add up fast.

It’s bound to attract some attention…”

In his past life, Xu Chen had worked under Li Fengfeng, so he was almost certain the man would try something shady.

The project was a big order, and the client hadn’t sent anyone; instead, they’d put Xu Chen on as a ‘supervisor’.

As the project lead, Li Fengfeng had plenty of room to maneuver.

Black Duke Marketing was handling it as the main contractor, but they could subcontract everything from endorser deals to filming and materials to third-party suppliers.

And Li Fengfeng managed all of that.

Based on what Xu Chen knew of him, he couldn’t resist the temptation.

Over the last couple of days, Li Fengfeng had been overly polite to Xu Chen, which only confirmed his suspicions.

Given Li Fengfeng’s arrogant and petty nature, not giving ‘Teacher Xu Chen’ a hard time meant he had plans.

The two or three thousand discrepancy Fang Jun spotted was too small; it was likely just a probe from Li Fengfeng to see if Xu Chen was paying attention as the ‘producer’.

In Li Fengfeng’s eyes, the clients probably didn’t get the nitty-gritty of ad production quotes; they just cared about the big budget.

The only one who might catch issues was Xu Chen, so he started with this minor glitch to test the waters.

If Xu Chen pointed it out, it was easy to brush off.

If he didn’t, Li Fengfeng might go further…

Xu Chen thought it over and said:

“Each item in the invoice has notes on the procurement or execution company; can we check those companies?”

Fang Jun: “We can; business registrations are public, and I have other ways to dig deeper.”

Xu Chen: “Great, could the all-knowing Teacher Fang Jun look into the suppliers with the price changes?”

Fang Jun: “No problem…”

…

…

…

After a few more steps, Fang Jun stopped and pulled Xu Chen back.

She nodded ahead: “That’s the place…”

Xu Chen stepped back with Fang Jun, hiding behind a pillar in the arcade nearby.

Across the street was a small shop with a ‘Northern Dumplings’ sign.

A couple of customers sat inside eating.

Fang Jun glanced at Xu Chen: “See anything?”

Xu Chen shook his head: “Not really.”

Fang Jun: “Li Rui said the owner is a woman.”

Xu Chen: “Then we’ll wait a bit; once the female owner comes out, I can see if I know her.”

They stood on the roadside for a moment, and sure enough, a middle-aged woman came out wiping tables with a cloth.

Xu Chen looked closely and said to Fang Jun:

“Let’s go; nothing to it.”

Fang Jun looked puzzled: “You know her?”

Xu Chen thought for a second and told Fang Jun: “That’s my Third Aunt, my dad’s sister-in-law.”

“Sister-in-law?” Fang Jun paused, which only made her more curious.

Xu Chen turned to Fang Jun with a helpless smile:

“Teacher Fang Jun, you always seem so serious; do you watch those dramatic family soaps at home?”

Fang Jun: “…”

Xu Chen gave Fang Jun a quick rundown, mostly about his Third Uncle’s situation, including his debts and the earlier conflicts with his brother Xu Zhiquan…

Fang Jun thought it over: “I think I’ve heard bits about that.”

After the Mechanical Factory lost its orders, Xu Zhihai’s creditors came knocking, even resorting to extremes like throwing paint or smashing windows.

Given the past grudges, Xu Zhiquan didn’t want to get involved much.

Back then, the Seedling Company was sinking money into operations, so he couldn’t help anyway.

But Xu Zhiquan didn’t completely abandon them; he talked to a few major creditors and delayed the debts.

That gave Xu Zhihai some breathing room to sell off his factory equipment and use the compensation from Bright Factory to pay off the loans bit by bit.

Still, it wiped out his savings from decades; bouncing back quickly was out of the question.

Xu Zhihai was a stubborn, proud type; after such a fall, he couldn’t hold his head up.

From what Xu Chen had heard, Third Uncle had moved south with his family, but no one knew exactly where or what they were doing.

Now it was clear they’d come to Yangcheng.

Third Aunt was running this dumpling shop, while Third Uncle might be in the back or off doing something else…

Xu Zhiquan had come to Yangcheng this time because he’d caught wind of it and stopped by to check on them, leaving a few thousand yuan for Third Aunt.

…

Fang Jun said:

“What your Third Uncle did back then with the family split was pretty sneaky and opportunistic.

Your dad going to check on them anyway shows real kindness—it’s more than enough.”

Xu Chen: “Don’t drag family into business fights…

My dad is principled with the company and deals, but they’re still family.

He’s got that generous side, unlike me.”

Fang Jun looked at Xu Chen: “You’re not generous?”

Xu Chen: “I’m not; I hold grudges.”

Fang Jun: “Holding grudges is good; otherwise, the world’s full of bad people.”

…

They headed back to the parking lot, and Xu Chen glanced over to see a ‘Lianxiang House’ nearby, a local Yangcheng specialty sweets shop.

He went in, picked out a few items, and bought a big bag.

After paying, he handed it to Fang Jun.

“I borrowed those two boxes of red tea cakes from you; this is me paying you back.”

Fang Jun took it with a straight face: “You not only hold grudges but remember favors too.”

Xu Chen smiled: “Of course.”

Fang Jun hesitated then said:

“After hanging out this long, you can treat me like one of your own.

I’ve already started seeing you and your dad that way…”

Xu Chen paused then replied:

“I’ll tell my dad to set up a bar for you in the factory grounds.”

Fang Jun: “What kind of liquor does your dad like? I’ve tried it a couple times and kind of like it too.”

Xu Chen: “He goes for strong aromatics like Guojiao and Luzhou; he drinks baijiu for business, but not much of the light stuff…”

…

When they got back to the parking lot, Chen Xiaolong was lounging in the car resting.

Seeing Xu Chen and Fang Jun return, he jumped up, nearly hitting his head.

“Teacher Xu Chen, you could’ve called; I’d have driven over to pick you up.”

Xu Chen smiled and just got in without a word.

Chen Xiaolong started the car and headed straight for Baiyun Airport.

They soon hit the highway, traffic flowing smoothly.

As Xu Chen mulled things over, something clicked, and he said to Chen Xiaolong:

“Li Fengfeng isn’t your boss’s real name, right?”

Chen Xiaolong hesitated, surprised:

“How did you know, Teacher Xu Chen?”

Chen Xiaolong hesitated, surprised:

“How did you know, Teacher Xu Chen?”