Chapter 360: Unexpected Connections
by xennovelIn the evening, Nie Fei arranged a conference call with Director Yang Congxin.
Xu Chen was there too…
Zhou Junjun had left.
“Vice President Zhou” was new to Shanghai and had plans to meet friends for drinks, so it didn’t feel right to keep him back for overtime.
Sun Aimi had been on business trips all last weekend, so Xu Chen sent her home to rest.
Gu Xinxi volunteered to stay for the overtime meeting, proving herself as a dedicated young worker.
…
Yang Congxin rarely talked with “Young President Xu,” but he was warm and polite.
After some small talk, Xu Chen couldn’t hold back and asked:
“What about my dad? Is he still at the company?”
“No, he’s at the Seedling Company for a client dinner; President Xu went to join them…”
Xu Chen fell silent, feeling a pang of sympathy for his old man…
They quickly moved to the main topic.
The relevant background info had already been discussed that afternoon between Xu Zhiquan and Yang Congxin.
Nie Fei had texted Yang Congxin in advance, but the director had been on the production line all afternoon and only now had time to talk and respond.
Director Yang said straight out:
“Currently, the plastic modules for ‘Chenfeng Ice Power’ come from a supplier in Guangdong Province.
We looked at Wanrong Materials back then too.
Their stuff is top-notch, better than what we’re using now, but it’s about 18% more expensive. We went with the cheaper option to keep costs down…
I talked it over with President Xu this afternoon, and switching procurement to Wanrong won’t be a problem.
The first batch of Chenfeng Ice Power orders just wrapped up, so we’re starting on new procurement needs…
“If we go with them, I’ll need to travel there.
We have to align the product parameters.
The molds need their engineers to check for any technical issues.
And we should gauge their production capacity…”
Yang Congxin chuckled, his voice full of excitement as he continued:
“Young President Xu, you don’t know what’s going on back home…
Our ‘Chenfeng Ice Power’ trial sales are a huge success.
Guo Liang had planned some promotions, but President Xu held them back.
His idea was to keep it low-key for now.
Wait until the first batch has been out for ten days or so, get some user feedback, make sure there are no major product issues, then ramp up the promo…”
Xu Chen stayed quiet, but in his heart, he gave his dad a silent thumbs-up.
Old Xu was always thorough and thoughtful.
Yang Congxin went on:
“Overall, from the trial sales, we’re set to ramp up production big time!
Fang Jun is helping with the accounting now, and we’re planning the next procurement orders.
So timing this with Wanrong is perfect.
Once our purchase volume goes up, we can negotiate that 18% premium down.”
…
…
After hanging up with Director Yang, Xu Chen slapped the table and stood up.
“Great! Perfect! Absolutely fantastic!”
Young President Xu couldn’t hide his excitement.
It wasn’t just about Wanrong Materials; there was also the good news on ‘Chenfeng Ice Power’ trial sales.
Chenfeng Electric Vehicles had come a long way, looking smooth on the surface, but it was full of challenges.
From the initial funding pressures to the competition for Bright Factory and the city negotiations…
The production line talks, introducing motor tech, building the team…
Now, with ‘Chenfeng Ice Power’ nailing the trial sales, it hit Xu Chen with a wave of emotion.
Xu Chen grinned and said:
“Time for a drink!”
He dashed to the general manager’s office next door, grabbed a bottle of fine Penfolds wine and three glasses.
“Pop!” The cork came out, and the rich aroma of red wine filled the air instantly.
Xu Chen poured three glasses and handed them to Nie Fei and Gu Xinxi.
Nie Fei smiled and said:
“Congratulations, Young President Xu!”
Gu Xinxi smiled too and added:
“Congratulations, boss!”
Xu Chen laughed heartily:
“Cheers!”
…
…
On Wednesday noon, after class.
Su Rong skipped lunch with her roommates and headed straight for the south gate alone.
She needed to find a print shop to make copies of the program script for every classmate.
As the lead for the year-end welcome party performance, Su Rong was putting her all into it.
But lately, she felt worn out, leaving the young woman feeling down.
Getting the whole class involved in the project was exhausting.
Not everyone was cooperative, and some were just plain difficult with endless complaints…
Su Rong sighed and silently pepped herself up.
She had to stay strong.
Learn from Class Monitor Min Siyang—build leadership and communication skills.
And from Xie Bingran—be brave, fearless, and strong!
…
…
Su Rong hurried out the south gate and bumped right into her classmate Xu Chen.
Xu Chen carried a bag of food from the south gate fried chicken shop.
“What a coincidence, Xu Chen!” Su Rong smiled and greeted him first.
Xu Chen was someone worth looking up to.
At such a young age, he’d already started his own company.
He excelled in studies and even won two national first prizes in the Big Design Competition.
Plus, he was so mature, staying calm under pressure. Last time on the autumn trip, he solved all those problems.
…
Xu Chen looked at Su Rong:
“Where are you headed?”
Su Rong: “I’ve got rehearsal after school, so I’m getting the script printed…”
Xu Chen smiled: “Come to my company; the printer’s free!
I’m heading there anyway!”
Su Rong hesitated: “Is that okay? I need a lot of copies!”
Xu Chen smiled: “I’ve been skipping class a ton, and as a class committee member, that doesn’t sit right with me!
Let me contribute by letting you print here—it’s my way of helping the project!”
Su Rong paused, then smiled: “Alright! Thanks so much!”
Xu Chen led the way confidently, guiding Su Rong toward the company.
They crossed the zebra crossing and entered the office park.
As they walked to the Tonghai Creative Design Building, Xu Chen said:
“I heard from Qian Xin the other day that you’re planning to go to the Asian Games on your own dime?”
Su Rong: “Yeah, I’m set on watching the women’s 100-meter hurdles!”
Xu Chen: “Got your visa and travel sorted?”
Su Rong: “Visa’s done, but travel’s not finalized yet.”
Xu Chen smiled: “A few of us from the company are going too.
You could join us!”
Su Rong blinked: “Really?”
Xu Chen: “Yeah!
But we’re all going for Xie Bingran, not Bai Miao.”
Su Rong paused, then her face lit up: “I’m going for Xie Bingran too!”
Xu Chen: “Oh?”
Su Rong beamed with excitement: “I love Xie Bingran! I just want to see her compete at the Asian Games!”
She pulled out her phone, lit up the screen, and showed Xu Chen.
The wallpaper was a poster of Xie Bingran.
Xu Chen: “I never guessed you were a fan of Bing Ge!”
Su Rong: “Absolutely! I watched the Osaka games and thought Xie Bingran was amazing!
The pressure was intense, but she still won gold—it’s so inspiring…
I wish I could be as strong and brave as her!”
She hesitated, then asked:
“Why are your company folks going together to see Xie Bingran?
Are you all fans too?”
Xu Chen: “We have a partnership with her.
To be precise, we have a subsidiary that Bing Ge and I co-founded.
Plus, I know her…
Really well, like old friends!”
Su Rong’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Xu Chen stayed casual:
“For the Asian Games, come with us!
I’ll even set up a meal with Bing Ge and bring you along!”
Su Rong froze in place, stopping dead.
Xu Chen paused, turned back, and saw Su Rong staring at him with wide, shocked eyes.
“You’re serious?”
Xu Chen: “Why would I lie?”
Su Rong snapped out of it:
“This is… unbelievable…”
Her classmate Xu Chen was tight with her idol Xie Bingran?
Enough to grab a meal together?
And they even co-owned a company?!
Xu Chen remained unfazed:
“Come on, let’s head up!
We’ve got projects tied to Bing Ge.
We’ll push them hard during the Asian Games.”
…
…
A few minutes later.
In the East Morning Star Advertising office.
Su Rong stared at the two X stands by the door, her face a mix of joy and disbelief.
They featured Xie Bingran looking cool and striking…
The stands were for “Kunlunshan Mineral Water” and “Chenfeng Ice Power” posters.
Gu Xinxi had printed and set them up that morning.
It was all to give Su Rong a little surprise.
Xu Chen said lightly:
“These two projects are both endorsed by Bing Ge.
And we at East Morning Star Advertising handled the creative work…”
Su Rong blinked rapidly, her emotions a whirlwind of shock.
Nie Fei, Sun Aimi, and Gu Xinxi looked up from their desks.
Xu Chen brought Su Rong in and quickly introduced her:
“This is Su Rong from my class; she needs to print some stuff.
Gu Xinxi, could you help out?”
Gu Xinxi nodded: “Sure, just send me the file, and I’ll handle the printing.”
Su Rong snapped back and handed Gu Xinxi a USB drive.
“Thanks!”
Xu Chen smiled at Su Rong:
“Let me show you around!
Last time you visited at the start of school, it was just after renovations and bare.
We’ve added a lot since then!”
He led Su Rong through the office for a quick tour.
When they reached the general manager’s office, Su Rong eyed the photo frames on the desk, still in awe.
Xu Chen picked one up and grinned: “See, I wasn’t kidding!”
The frame showed a group photo from the Provincial Capital shoot for “Chenfeng Ice Power,” with Xu Chen, Sun Aimi, Gu Xinxi, and Xie Bingran.
Other frames featured Bing Ge too.
Like the wrap photo from Jeep, Bing Ge with Wu Feifei and Nie Fei in Osaka, and Xu Chen with her on Yangcheng’s White Cloud Mountain…
Su Rong paused:
“You really weren’t joking!”
Xu Chen: “Why would I?”
He added with a smile:
“I’m serious—I can introduce you to Bing Ge.
Just come with us to the Asian Games; you’ll have company…”
Su Rong’s eyes sparkled:
“This is incredible! Thanks, Xu Chen!”
Xu Chen: “Oh, and we’re working on a standalone brand for Xie Bingran too!”
Su Rong: “Seriously?”
…
Xu Chen took Su Rong to the meeting room next door.
The table had some documents, and the big screen displayed several “Ran Bing Sports” logo designs.
These were draft logos Sun Aimi had made earlier, which Xu Chen had Gu Xinxi load onto the meeting room computer.
Xu Chen smiled:
“Ran Bing Sports is Xie Bingran’s own brand.
We’re still planning and discussing products…”
He added mysteriously:
“So it’s under wraps for now!”
Su Rong nodded firmly:
“Got it!”
She broke into a grin:
“This is so cool! Your company is doing Xie Bingran’s brand…”
Xu Chen: “Yeah, it’s in the works. We’re designing custom shoes for her.
The goal is to launch by early next year—I’ll get you a pair!”
Su Rong: “Really?”
Xu Chen: “Why would I lie?”
…
Su Rong could barely contain her joy but just murmured a soft “thanks.”
She glanced at the table and paused.
Su Rong picked up a brochure, looking puzzled:
“Wanrong Materials?”
Xu Chen: “That’s a supplier for shoe sole materials. We want to use them for Xie Bingran’s custom shoes!
But things aren’t moving smoothly right now.”
Su Rong blinked:
“What’s not going well?”
Xu Chen noticed Su Rong’s expression and felt a wave of relief inside.
This was falling into place…
Xu Chen stepped out briefly, grabbed two cans of soda, and handed one to Su Rong.
“Thanks!” Su Rong said quietly.
She looked eager:
“You said the partnership with Wanrong isn’t smooth?
What do you mean?”
Xu Chen cracked open his can and took a long sip before replying calmly:
“They have this new shoe sole material we want for Bing Ge’s shoes.
But other sports brands are negotiating with them too…
It doesn’t look like ‘Ran Bing Sports’ has much chance of getting it.”
Su Rong thought for a moment and said:
“I’ll help you talk to them…
Tell Wanrong to give you that material!”
Xu Chen: “Huh?!”
Su Rong blushed slightly and whispered:
“The ‘Rong’ in Wanrong is from my name, Su Rong…”
Xu Chen: “Huh?!”
Su Rong gave an awkward smile:
“It’s my dad’s company. I can convince him!
He always listens to me!”
…
Xu Chen acted shocked and flustered, though inside he was thrilled.
This went smoother than expected.
He stood up and said:
“I’ll cover all your Asian Games travel!
And I’ll introduce you to Xie Bingran—get her to join you for a meal!”
Su Rong smiled, a touch embarrassed:
“Just having my family’s company involved in Xie Bingran’s brand makes me so happy!”
Xu Chen couldn’t help but think:
What a kind and genuine girl…
“I won’t let your dad’s company lose out…
Bing Ge’s skills and future business potential are solid; I’m fully confident.
Wanrong Materials will gain a lot from ‘Ran Bing Sports’ rising up.
And if things go well, I can add an extra big order on top…”
Xu Chen explained it all, but Su Rong seemed to only half-follow.
She pulled out her phone and said shyly:
“Can I borrow your meeting room to call my dad?
I don’t need all that detail…
Just one call from me will do it!”