Chapter 275: Contracts and Journeys

Yangcheng, Baiyun Airport.

Xu Chen sat in the rest area near the boarding gate and sent a message to Fang Jun:

[Fang Jun, I need your help with two things.]

It wasn’t long before Fang Jun called back:

“What’s up?”

Xu Chen: “I’ve landed another project, and I need you to review the contract. Also, help with the payment processing on that contract.”

Fang Jun: “Sure, just email me the contract. I’ll get Si Daqing from legal to help with the review.”

“How much is the contract worth?”

Xu Chen said casually, “One hundred and fifty thousand.”

Fang Jun: “Alright, I’ll wait for your email.”

Xu Chen: “…”

Fang Jun: “What is it?”

Xu Chen:

“I casually signed another one-hundred-and-fifty-thousand contract, and you’re not even going to praise me?”

Fang Jun paused, then said flatly over the phone:

“You’re amazing.”

“…”

Fang Jun: “You mentioned two things?”

Xu Chen: “East Morning Star Advertising has a new employee starting, so we need to prepare a labor contract and handle the onboarding process.”

Fang Jun: “That’s worth celebrating—your East Morning Star Advertising is finally doubling in size.”

Xu Chen: “…”

Fang Jun: “I’ll coordinate with the legal and HR teams at Chenfeng. Just create a group chat or send me the person’s contact info.”

You can pull a group together, or just give me their details directly.”

Xu Chen: “Okay, I’ll set up a group. She can start in Shanghai by late September. I’ve already discussed the salary.”

Fang Jun: “Do I know her?”

Xu Chen thought for a moment: “You’ve met her before. Last time in Yangcheng during filming, the girl with the round glasses and round face—Sun Aimi.”

Fang Jun: “You’re something else. You got rid of a manager at Black Duke, and now you’re poaching their employees.”

Xu Chen: “Li Fengfeng’s situation isn’t on me, so don’t mention it to Sun Aimi.”

Fang Jun: “Don’t worry, I know what to say.”

She added, “Weren’t you interested in that girl from Renhe Pharmaceuticals? The one called Gu Xinxi…”

Xu Chen laughed. “Let’s get Sun Aimi on board first and see if we can land another project. Then I’ll think about Gu Xinxi—it’s not urgent.”

Fang Jun: “Guo Liang mentioned her the other day.”

Xu Chen: “She’s Guo Liang’s former apprentice, so he can help chat with her when the time comes.”

Fang Jun: “Oh…”

Xu Chen: “Sister Fang Jun, you sound a bit down. What’s wrong?”

Fang Jun: “I’m not exactly thrilled.”

Xu Chen: “Who dared to upset you? Tell my dad—he’ll sort it out.”

Fang Jun: “You’re heading to Osaka to watch Bing Ge’s competition…”

The company’s been swamped with work lately, so I can’t make it.”

“…”

Xu Chen laughed. “I’ll bring you back a souvenir from Osaka.”

……

……

Xu Chen checked the time and opened his laptop to handle some work.

Today was the final submission deadline for the University Advertising Competition.

He’d already submitted the campaign for Solid Teeth Toothpaste on Monday evening.

But for Baidu Knows, he was still undecided.

In his previous life, Baidu’s most successful slogan was ‘Baidu it, and you’ll know.’

But that was for Baidu’s main brand—the search engine—not specifically for the Baidu Knows Q&A product…

Theoretically, it could fit Baidu Knows too.

From a competition standpoint, though, it might not be the best choice.

There’s a difference between competition judging and real-world advertising.

Competitions consider the judges’ preferences and the event’s nature.

Like with the Solid Teeth Toothpaste entry, it needs some flashy, showy elements that aren’t always practical.

In real life, ads that clients love and that perform well might not even make it to the shortlist in a competition…

Xu Chen thought it over and recalled a promotional theme Baidu used in his previous life.

It probably didn’t work great in actual campaigns, but for a competition submission, it had a better shot at winning than ‘Baidu it, and you’ll know.’

……

Xu Chen opened the Advertising Competition page and went to the submission for Baidu Knows.

[Copywriting Category: Baidu Knows Slogan Submission]

[Slogan: Baidu Knows—Empowering Everyone Equally]

[Creative Approach:

Once, barriers to knowledge access hindered personal growth and created social inequality.

Baidu Knows allows everyone to share and access knowledge freely and equally…

Enabling each person to arm themselves with knowledge and achieve their potential equally.

Baidu Knows—empowering everyone equally.]

……

Xu Chen compared it carefully and decided that for competition purposes, this slogan was more fitting and had a higher chance of winning.

He knew those ‘self-important’ judges all too well.

Sometimes, they looked down on simple, catchy phrases.

Slogans like ‘Wash Well for Health,’ ‘He Feels Good, I Feel Good,’ or ‘Snow Mountain Mineral Water’…

Those ‘professor judges’ would just see them as shallow and unrefined.

They preferred something obscure and impressive, something that seemed clever and original.

In a way, that’s one reason why university advertising courses are so disconnected from the real industry.

……

……

When he landed at Hongqiao Airport, it was already past 9 p.m.

As soon as his phone powered on, he got a text about a deposit—three thousand yuan.

The message just said it was a transfer, with no sender info.

Xu Chen wondered who would send him three thousand yuan.

If it were his dad, Xu Zhiquan, it’d be at least thirty or fifty thousand…

Back then, bank apps weren’t even on Symbian, so he couldn’t check on his phone.

Just as he puzzled over it, the class committee QQ group lit up with a message from vice class monitor Huo Dashan.

[@Xu Chen The autumn outing bus fees are back! The class monitor transferred it to the account you registered with the college!]

Xu Chen smiled, surprised it was that money:

[How is it three thousand? That’s way too much. Even with seven or eight cars, the meter wouldn’t add up to that…]

Huo Dashan: [@Xu Chen Just that box of cigarettes you bought cost more than three thousand…]

Xu Chen: [You all really pulled it off, getting the money back.]

Huo Dashan: [We got the original fees plus compensation, so that’s why it’s three thousand.

Mostly thanks to the class monitor—she made a few calls, stood her ground, and even brought in law school seniors. The other side backed down fast.]

“…”

Huang Qiqi: [@Min Siyang Class monitor, you’re awesome!]

Xu Chen: [@Min Siyang Not surprising from a Sichuan girl—impressive!]

……

……

The next day at noon, Xu Chen got a message from Jiaduobao’s Chen Xinyi.

Nie Fei’s Japanese visa had just been approved.

It worked out perfectly—Nie Fei had planned a Japan trip for the year and got the visa early.

But she needed to visit friends in Tokyo first, then take the bullet train from the Kanto region to Kansai for the competition.

[Xu Chen, can you arrange the competition tickets in advance? And set up a meeting with the Sports Administration leaders?]

[No problem. I’ll coordinate the tickets and the leader meeting with the National Team today and get back to you later.]

[Thanks so much, Xu Chen!]

Xu Chen immediately contacted Coach Cheng Hong to discuss the tickets and scheduling with Director Li Yue.

Coach Cheng called right back.

“Texting takes too long—let’s just talk.”

Xu Chen chuckled and said:

“Last time Director Li Yue was in Tiancheng, I promised I’d bring in a business deal for Xie Bingran.”

“It’s pretty much set now. The client is a beverage brand from Guangdong Province, Jiaduobao. They’re launching a new high-end mineral water product…”

“For the Osaka competition, their executive will come to watch Xie Bingran’s event.”

“They also want to meet Director Li Yue in person to chat about it initially.”

Coach Cheng: “I didn’t think you’d actually pull it off!”

Xu Chen: “I wouldn’t joke about Xie Bingran’s matters.”

Coach Cheng: “No issue there. Li Yue and his superiors are heading to Osaka too—they’re escorting another business client.”

Coach Cheng sounded excited as she said with a smile:

“Your Xie Bingran is on fire now. Since the National Games, several brands have approached for partnerships.”

“But Li Yue’s team is selective—they’re turning down anyone not up to standard, even if the offers are big.”

Xu Chen laughed. “The brand I’m recommending is top-tier in China for beverages.”

“Their new mineral water targets the high-end market and image, so it won’t embarrass the National Team.”

Coach Cheng: “This Osaka competition is crucial.”

“We’ve got two potential partners watching Xie Bingran’s performance there…”

“Everyone’s betting on her winning at the Asian Games.”

“Osaka’s just a smaller East Asian event.”

“But if Xie Bingran wins and matches her National Games performance, it’ll prove her strength.”

“Then, an Asian Games medal is almost guaranteed, and those sponsorship deals will follow.”

Xu Chen: “How’s Bing Ge doing now?”

Coach Cheng smiled: “Don’t worry, she’s in great shape.”

Xu Chen: “Thanks for looking after her, Coach.”

Coach Cheng: “Cut that out. I’m swamped, so I’ll get back to work.”

“Send me the client’s info, and I’ll talk to Director Li Yue today.”

“The tickets are easy—contact me when you get to Osaka.”

Xu Chen: “Got it, thanks Coach!”

……