Chapter 358: Dining on Deals

They left the Vanke meeting just as evening approached five o’clock.

“Let’s go for a big feast!” Xu Chen said with a smile.

Wu Feifei: “Xu Chen has to treat us to a feast—we just landed a four-million project effortlessly!”

Xu Chen: “Alright, Miss Wu, you pick the spot.”

Wu Feifei: “Any budget limits?”

Xu Chen: “None at all!”

……

The Bund, Peace Hotel.

Dragon Phoenix Hall, a historic Shanghai-style Chinese restaurant over a century old.

It’s often called the ‘state banquet level’ of Shanghai cuisine.

Xu Chen couldn’t help but admire how the daughter of a leader always chose such prime spots.

Sun Aimi glanced at the menu with its English and Chinese names, baffled by the quirky dishes.

She checked the prices at the bottom and shot Xu Chen a worried look.

Xu Chen smiled:

“I’m treating, so don’t worry about the cost.”

Xu Chen looked it over and thought it was reasonable enough.

Compared to the kaiseki meal he had with Xie Bingran, this was still a step down in price.

“Dragon Soaring in Summer” was the name of this menu……

One exquisite small dish after another arrived, and the two young women couldn’t resist snapping photos.

But beyond the odd names, it was basically grilled ribs, foie gras, Shanghai smoked fish, and charcoal-grilled cod.

Tasting them brought real surprises.

Even the same dishes here tasted better than at other places.

The delight on their taste buds didn’t lie.

Overall, it lived up to the price, especially with the dining environment that felt like stepping back to Republican-era China.

……

As the three enjoyed their meal, Wu Feifei recalled the Vanke matter and asked:

“If Boss Wang just wanted to get rid of that problematic Sun Man, wouldn’t exposing her corruption issues be enough?”

Why bring in the ‘Rancho Santa Fe’ project?

“What I mean is, why use East Morning Star Advertising’s plan to crush Black Crane Advertising’s?”

Sun Aimi blinked her round eyes, looking equally puzzled.

Xu Chen: “That’s where Boss Wang’s cleverness and slyness shine.”

Wu Feifei: “How so?”

Xu Chen: “Getting rid of Sun Man is just secondary; the main goal is to undermine Director Chen Qidong’s influence and power.”

If they only used corruption to take her down, it just proves she’s bad.

But with the ‘Rancho Santa Fe’ project overshadowing them, it not only shows they’re bad but also highlights our side as good……

In these battles, the aim is total domination and elimination.

You have to play it out fully……”

“Besides the people at today’s meeting, the board is watching from behind.

After this, the board will see that Chen Qidong’s side has corruption issues and poor business skills.

They couldn’t even handle a real estate promotion—Boss Wang had to step in……”

In contrast, Wang Shi and Yu Liang come out looking strong.

Not only did they root out the pests, but they also proved their own strength, capability, and tactics.

Boss Wang and Yu Liang can deliver crushing plans on key projects……

Of course, this key plan is ours from East Morning Star Advertising.”

“Zhou Kai mentioned……

Boss Wang waited a long time for a solid plan on ‘Rancho Santa Fe’ and quietly approached some ad agencies.

His goal was clear: find something that could totally outmatch the competition and be convincingly superior.

It just so happened that East Morning Star Advertising provided it, pulling us into the game.”

Wu Feifei: “That makes sense……

So it’s not just proving their character is flawed but their abilities too.

That way, the board loses trust in Chen Qidong’s side on every level.”

Xu Chen: “Exactly.

‘Rancho Santa Fe’ is probably just the first move for Boss Wang and Yu Liang; they’ll chip away at Chen Qidong’s forces next.

Now that they’ve exposed the flaws and shown superiority, the rest follows smoothly.”

Wu Feifei: “The adult world is so complicated……”

Xu Chen: “A glimpse reveals the whole; power struggles are like that.

Every step is calculated and maximized.”

Wu Feifei thought for a moment: “You said Boss Wang is ‘sly’—what do you mean?”

Xu Chen took a sip of tea:

“If Boss Wang truly wanted to delegate and promote Yu Liang……

He should’ve handed East Morning Star Advertising’s plan straight to Yu Liang, making the board think Yu Liang found it and delivered the winning strategy.

But Boss Wang didn’t; he kept showing his control throughout……”

Wu Feifei: “So, without him, Yu Liang still falls short.

It’s like keeping Yu Liang in check?”

Xu Chen nodded:

“Boss Wang isn’t ready to fully let go; he wants to be the power behind the throne.”

Wu Feifei shook her head: “These old men are terrifying.”

Xu Chen: “Your dad knows way more about this than I do……”

Wu Feifei pouted: “He never talks to me about it.”

Xu Chen paused:

“For Yu Liang to truly control Vanke, Boss Wang is the real big boss.

Either Boss Wang decides to fully step down,

Or Yu Liang has to be sharp enough to gradually remove him from the core……”

Wu Feifei and Sun Aimi exchanged glances, feeling enlightened and a bit wiser.

Wu Feifei looked at Xu Chen and took a deep breath: “You seem just as unfathomable as those old men.”

“……”

Xu Chen grinned innocently:

“Don’t say that—I’m only two months older than you!”

Wu Feifei paused: “How do you know my birth month?”

Xu Chen looked a bit embarrassed:

“I had your passport, remember? I sent it to Yue Jie and couldn’t help glancing at it.”

Wu Feifei showed a hint of caution, then smiled:

“Well, my photo in it looks pretty good, so it’s fine!”

Xu Chen: “……”

Sun Aimi: “?”

……

After dinner, Xu Chen called Gu Xinxi and held a phone conference to organize the next steps.

The ‘Rancho Santa Fe’ project was officially set; Secretary Zhou Kai would handle the coordination.

With Zhou Kai on board, there was no worry about issues from the project team.

Gu Xinxi would manage the procedural stuff with Zhou Kai, like contracts and payments.

Sun Aimi would start creating the ad materials once she had the official project assets.

The ad plan was finalized exactly as Xu Chen proposed—no changes needed; she could jump straight into production……

This two-million project was wrapping up smoothly.

Sun Aimi couldn’t help asking:

“Boss, what about the ad needs for that other group brand?”

Xu Chen thought: “No rush on that.

Yu Liang said we’d report once it’s ready……

Don’t worry about the plan; I’ll handle it when I can. Focus on the urgent projects first.”

Sun Aimi: “Got it, boss. Just let me know if you need help.”

Wu Feifei pouted: “What about me?”

Xu Chen sighed; he really needed to give Miss Wu something to do.

“You can work with Gu Xinxi on managing the Vanke project’s progress.

It’ll be useful even if you don’t stick with advertising.”

He added with a smile:

“And if you’re still interested, ‘Ran Bing Sports’ is kicking off—you can join that too.”

Wu Feifei: “Sounds great! I’d love to work on Bing Ge’s project!”

……

……

On Tuesday noon.

Right after class, Xu Chen headed to a Shanghai-style restaurant on Quyang Road—one he’d visited before.

In a elegant private room, four people were already there.

Besides Gu Xinxi and Sun Aimi, Nie Fei had just returned from her trip.

And there was a fair-faced young man, around twenty-seven or twenty-eight, beaming with smiles.

Nie Fei stood up with a smile:

“Let me introduce—here’s our Xu Chen.

And this is Zhou Junjun, the ‘young vice president’ of Lifeng Footwear.”

Zhou Junjun stepped forward, warmly greeting Xu Chen:

“I’ve heard so much about you, Xu Chen!

Last time I drank with your father, I heard all the stories.

Meeting you today, you’re every bit the talented one they described.”

Xu Chen felt curious, shaking hands with Zhou Junjun while glancing at Nie Fei.

Nie Fei laughed: “Zhou likes to talk a bit formally sometimes.”

Zhou Junjun chuckled and eagerly guided Xu Chen to a seat.

Xu Chen, ever the social pro, quickly joined the lively chat.

This ‘young vice president’ had a unique personality—outgoing and familiar, rough yet perceptive, which made him quite likable.

Xu Chen thought having him around would liven up the company.

This lively type could really boost the atmosphere.

Xu Chen picked Zhou Junjun’s brain on various professional topics, mainly about running shoe materials and production.

Nie Fei stayed quiet, just smiling and listening.

She knew this was Xu Chen’s way of sizing him up.

After all, it was their first meeting, and ‘Ran Bing 001’ production would rely on him, so Xu Chen wanted to gauge the ‘young vice president’s’ skills.

Zhou Junjun was chatty and generous, especially when talking about shoes and factories—it was like he’d never stop.

As Xu Chen listened, he exchanged a glance with Nie Fei and nodded slightly.

That was his approval.

From Zhou Junjun’s talk on running shoes, Xu Chen gained some insights, like the differences between speed and jogging shoes.

For now, ‘Ran Bing 001’ was aimed more at jogging shoes.

Though Xie Bingran was a short-track speed skater, making professional speed shoes for ‘Ran Bing Sports’ would limit the market.

Speed shoes are too specialized, with hard soles or even spikes, not ideal for everyday wear.

Lightweight jogging and casual ones appeal to more people and could expand the market significantly.

This matched Xu Chen’s thinking, especially with the soft, bouncy soles leaning that way.

Plus, he was planning to get Vanke’s Yu Liang and Wang Shi to endorse—they run casual marathons, perfect for jogging shoes.

……

After the meal, Xu Chen was impressed with this ‘young vice president’.

He knew shoes and production, solving ‘Ran Bing Sports’ manufacturing needs.

His upbeat nature brought energy and positivity to the team, which was endearing.

In conversation, Xu Chen learned Zhou Junjun graduated from Xiamen University, a top 985 school in China.

Zhou Junjun said casually:

“I started in a government job, but it was boring……

My family is all in shoes and business, and we don’t need the extra pay, so I joined my uncle’s factory.”

The ‘uncle’ he mentioned is Zhou Wenjie, the current boss of Lifeng Footwear.

After Xu Chen invested in Lifeng Footwear, he and Zhou Wenjie became business partners.

In a way, Xu Chen and Zhou Junjun were collaborators too.

Zhou Junjun doesn’t draw a salary from ‘Ran Bing Sports’; his earnings come from Lifeng Footwear.

Of course, all ‘Ran Bing Sports’ orders go through Lifeng, so they’re all in this together.

Xu Chen said:

“I haven’t had a chance to visit Fujian Province and properly meet your uncle.”

Zhou Junjun: “Come to Xiamen, and I’ll set everything up!

Any entertainment you want, I’ve got it covered!”

He glanced at Sun Aimi and Gu Xinxi, then flashed Xu Chen a mischievous grin.

……

After eating, everyone headed back to the company.

In the meeting room.

Gu Xinxi brought over some fruits and drinks, and they gathered to discuss business.

Nie Fei updated them on the week’s progress.

First, the design company—they’d already discussed it with Xu Chen.

They’d tentatively selected Pearl Cat Design Studio from England for a Wednesday evening call to outline the design needs.

The budget wasn’t finalized yet; they wanted to hear our specifics first.

Based on Nie Fei’s talks, their pricing was reasonable.

Pearl Cat is eager to expand in Greater China and sees this as a key project to break in.

That gives Nie Fei leverage to negotiate.

……

Another key update: the midsole materials.

Nie Fei and Zhou Junjun visited the main suppliers in China last week.

They narrowed it down to three candidates, all offering top-tier ‘iterated EVA foam cotton’ or ‘TPU foam cotton’.

Their favorite is a company in Jiangsu Province.

Their ‘TPU foam cotton’, developed with Harbin Institute of Technology Materials Science, is the best domestic option we’ve seen.

Nie Fei:

“As I told you on the phone, Xu Chen……

Their biggest issue is that Nike and Li Ning are negotiating exclusive deals.

They’ll likely go with whoever offers the biggest orders, probably Nike or Li Ning.

If they sign exclusive, we’re out.”

Xu Chen flipped through the colorful brochure:

“This company, right?”

The brochures on the table were what Nie Fei brought back from her trip—info on the material suppliers.

As Xu Chen scanned the document, he let out a soft “hmm”.

……

……