Chapter 246: Journey to New Horizons

Xie Bingran’s competition in Osaka was set for mid to late September, and with the date approaching, she needed to get a travel visa sorted out early.

The process was a hassle.

Luckily, her dad had a company with plenty of people to handle it for her.

Xu Chen went to the immigration hall himself to get his passport sorted, then handed the rest over to administrative manager Wu Yue.

Wu Yue handled it like a pro, saying a travel agency could make it fastest, but it would still take some back-and-forth time.

They’d have to wait until Xu Chen reached Shanghai, get it done there, and then mail it to him.

Xu Chen also reached out to Coach Cheng Hong early, asking her to snag tickets for the Osaka competition.

He asked about Xie Bingran’s daily routine, and Coach Cheng said she was sticking to the grind, focused and relentless—basically, ‘addicted to training and can’t pull away.’

Xu Chen couldn’t help but mutter to himself, this heartless girl, does she even miss me at all…

……

The production line at Chenfeng Technology Park was fully installed, but debugging and test runs would take a bit more time.

Xu Zhiquan rushed to hold a grand and festive ceremony before Xu Chen left, celebrating the official launch of the electric vehicle production line.

Old Xu loved a good party.

That day, red flowers and banners covered the park, with hundreds of employees gathered in front of the north factory building, drums and gongs booming for half the day.

Fang Jun’s ‘bar’ finally came in handy; as Chenfeng Technology’s ‘chief beverage officer,’ she was bustling around that evening.

By the end of the banquet, Fang Jun hadn’t even gotten a sip of her own drink.

She kept a straight face but clearly looked annoyed, so Xu Zhiquan laughed it off and set up a second round just for her.

……

……

University registration was on September 1st, but to help out-of-town students, they opened it on August 31st too.

Xu Chen booked his trip for the 29th.

Going two or three days early was to meet Nie Fei from Jiaduobao and discuss some business.

Nie Fei was a key investor now, with an ad order on the way, so he had to keep her happy.

Plus, it involved a potential endorsement for Xie Bingran…

Fang Jun would head to Shanghai a couple days earlier to check and set up the new East Morning Star Advertising office.

She’d never been a fan of the Jinfeng Business Tower office.

Xu Zhiquan still had that ‘small-town entrepreneur’ vibe, going for a retro, flashy decor that probably gave Fang Jun headaches.

So, she was really invested in this new small space in Shanghai, even though it’d mostly just be Xu Chen using it.

Handing the office setup to Fang Jun put Xu Chen’s mind at ease.

She had great taste; she’d shown him some simple, clean design sketches earlier, and he liked them a lot.

Xu Chen also asked Sun Aimi to design a ‘East Morning Star Advertising’ logo for him.

It was mostly black and white, simple and elegant—Xu Chen was pleased.

He sent it to Fang Jun so she could get a sign made for the office.

On top of that, Xu Zhiquan specifically arranged for Zhao Feng and Fang Tao to go with Fang Jun to Shanghai first.

One reason was to handle buying desks, chairs, furniture, appliances, and stuff like moving heavy items—didn’t want Fang Jun dealing with it alone as a woman.

Another was that once Xu Chen got to Shanghai, he might need to pick up some bedding and daily essentials for the dorm, and they could help out.

Xu Chen couldn’t help thinking his dad had basically sent two guys to carry his stuff—like he was some young master.

He recalled his past life, heading to a nearby city for university with his father.

But back then, Xu Zhiquan was lugging a sack to work in the south, while he just had a big backpack and boarded the train alone.

Memories from that life overlapped, leaving him a bit dazed.

……

……

In the blink of an eye, it was the 29th, time to leave Tiancheng.

Xu Zhiquan cooked at home, whipping up a feast of Xu Chen’s favorite dishes.

Old Xu was actually great in the kitchen; when he was planning the village factory, he even toyed with the idea of opening a restaurant.

The father and son enjoyed the meal thoroughly.

Though they were about to part ways, there wasn’t much sentimentality.

Old Xu chewed on a crab leg:

“If you miss home, just have Wu Yue book a flight—you can come back on weekends if you want.”

Xu Chen smiled: “Sounds good!”

Xu Zhiquan: “I’ve transferred 100,000 for living expenses first. Let me know if you need more.”

Xu Chen: “Dad, I’m just a university student—where would I spend that much?”

He thought back to his past life; all his university expenses over four years probably didn’t add up to 100,000.

Even after graduating and working for three or five years, his salary barely hit that mark annually.

Well.

Being a rich kid sure had its perks…

Xu Zhiquan: “Shanghai’s a big place; your classmates probably come from good families. My son can’t look out of place!”

Plus, Bingran’s there too—she’s on her own, so take care of her more.”

Xu Chen laughed: “Xie Bingran’s already a little rich girl; she won the championship in Yangcheng and got a 300,000 prize.”

Of course, Xu Zhiquan knew about the prize.

He took a drag of his cigarette and said, “That girl’s got real talent!”

He chuckled heartily and glanced at his son:

“But my son’s even better—got a real knack for making money, more than I ever did!”

Xu Zhiquan reached out and squeezed his son’s shoulder, full of pride and affection.

Xu Chen thought for a moment and said:

“I’m planning to find a suitable EMBA program at a few universities in Shanghai…”

“Then you can come join, Dad.”

Xu Zhiquan lit a cigarette and smiled: “School? At my age, I doubt I’ve got the brains for it anymore.”

Xu Chen:

“The people in EMBA programs are usually older; it’s mostly about building connections.”

Xu Zhiquan: “Alright, I’ll go with whatever you arrange.”

“Getting to Shanghai to see you sounds great!”

He remembered something else:

“University dorms are probably basic—if it’s no good, I’ll rent you a place.”

“I was thinking of buying you a small apartment, but Shanghai’s prices are insane—I can’t swing it yet.”

“Fang Jun said there’s a purchase limit without local residency, so East Morning Star Advertising is handling your social insurance there.”

“In a few years, once I’ve saved up, we can buy you a place after you graduate.”

Xu Chen: “President Xu’s got big plans, already eyeing property in Shanghai!”

Xu Zhiquan took a puff: “Houses in Tiancheng are cheap and not worth much.”

Xu Chen smiled: “I’ll stick with the dorm for now—to really experience university life.”

……

After eating, Xu Chen packed his things.

He didn’t have much—just a backpack and a small suitcase.

The suitcase was that black one with a tiny national flag on it.

Some other stuff was already packed and shipped to Shanghai, straight to Fang Jun’s rented office.

Over the past couple days, Xu Chen checked it out—the office was right across the street from the school, perfect for commuting.

……

Xu Zhiquan drove his son out of the town himself.

Passing through the town center, a road was being dug up for repairs.

Xu Zhiquan rolled down the window and pointed:

“That’s the road we donated—it’s going to be called ‘East Morning Star Street’ now…”

……

At parting, Old Xu finally showed some emotion.

He ruffled his son’s hair and pulled something from his pocket.

“These are a pair of peace talismans; I don’t know much about them, just got them from the mountain.”

Xu Chen took them, about to ask why there were two, when Xu Zhiquan added:

“One for you, one for Bingran.”

……

……

……

Shanghai.

After landing, Xu Chen grabbed a taxi straight to Chifeng Road.

Tonghai University’s south gate was on Chifeng Road.

At the same time, Fang Jun’s rented office was right across from the south gate.

It was evening.

Xu Chen stepped out of the cab with his suitcase, standing at Tonghai University’s south gate.

Male and female students streamed in and out.

Thinking back to the shabby gate of that second-rate school in his past life, Xu Chen felt a wave of contrast.

Beyond the gate, the students’ energy was worlds apart too…

Here, no street stalls or messy hairdos in sight—no cigarette butts or bottles scattered around.

Everything looked neat and vibrant, with students full of life and optimism…

Xu Chen chuckled at his own bias.

Clearly, his ‘prestigious university filter’ was romanticizing things.

……

In 2006, before any lockdowns, universities were open to the public—no card scans or facial recognition needed.

The hotel he’d booked was in a guesthouse on Tonghai University’s campus, arranged by Wu Yue.

But Xu Chen didn’t rush in; instead, he turned and glanced across the street.

Huedong Technology Park, Tonghai Creative Design Building.

Fang Jun’s office was upstairs—literally just a road away, super convenient.

……

Eighth floor, room 806.

Xu Chen reached the door and spotted a big flower basket.

【Congratulations on East Morning Star Advertising’s move – Jiaduobao Group Marketing Department】

It was from Jiaduobao—looked like ‘Fei Jie’ had thought ahead.

“Brother Chen!”

A bustle came from inside as several figures worked away.

Through the glass, Xu Chen saw Zhao Feng and Fang Tao, plus a few workers, arranging desks and chairs.

Spotting Xu Chen, Zhao Feng grinned: “Brother Chen, you’re here!”

Fang Tao hurried over to greet him, still with that gruff voice.

“You’ve been working hard. Where’s Teacher Fang Jun?”

Zhao Feng: “She’s at the building’s management office sorting paperwork; should be back soon.”

Xu Chen set down his luggage and reached to help, but Zhao Feng stopped him:

“Brother Chen, take it easy—we’ve got this.”

Xu Chen rolled up his sleeves to join in, but Zhao Feng pulled him to the sofa:

“Just sit, Brother Chen… President Xu sent us to handle this stuff.”

Xu Chen laughed: “Alright, we’ll all grab dinner together later!”

“You got it!”

With that, Zhao Feng turned back to work.

Xu Chen stood and looked around, nodding in approval.

Though not fully set up, Fang Jun’s arrangements were spot-on—full of style.

The space wasn’t huge, just over 60 square meters.

But it had a simple layout: a private office, a small meeting room, and an open work area.

In one corner of the work area, there was an open lounge with sofas and a coffee table.

Xu Chen walked to the window and gazed out through the wide, bright glass.

Across the street, he could see Tonghai University’s campus.

That main path must be the famous ‘Cherry Blossom Avenue,’ right?