Chapter 38: HuiShuang Shenbao Ad Submission
by xennovel【Sender: First High School Zhang Liqun】
【Subject: HuiShuang Shenbao Ad Submission—Requesting Leadership’s Guidance!】
Staring at the tiny screen of his phone, Xu Chen couldn’t hide the grin tugging at his lips.
Feeling a guilty thrill of voyeurism, Xu Chen scrolled down through the email…
“Dear leaders:
I’m thrilled to see the call for HuiShuang Shenbao advertisements and I’m determined to win!
I am a Chinese teacher—my wording is elegant, my writing poetic, my prose enchanting.
I’m also a middle-aged man, a user of kidney tonics, a connoisseur, and a praise-song singer!
…
Please find attached my carefully crafted advertising proposal for HuiShuang Shenbao. I humbly await your critique!
“Gathering nature’s sacred herbs, breeze-refreshing and calming.
Kidney Qi replenished, vitality surging; this treasured formula echoes ancient harmonies.
Nourishing yin, moisten dryness, body and mind at ease; balanced yin and yang fortify the physique.
Replenishing essence extends life; strong kidneys, robust health, boundless blessings.
Herbal essences harmonize yin and yang, disease banished, smiles returned.
Strength and vigor for thousand-mile journeys, robust health for a joyous century.”
…
To ensure all of you grasp the subtle brilliance, please allow me a brief explanation.
You may have noticed this is a marvelously crafted acrostic poem!
“HuiShuang Shenbao Nourishes Yin and Kidney, Traditional Medicine for Strength!”
This ornate verse cleverly weaves in all the product’s selling points…
In summary, I have every reason to believe this ad submission is the optimal promotional plan for your product.
My bank account details are attached below…
Awaiting your reply.
Yours respectfully!”
Xu Chen tossed his phone aside and burst into laughter, doubling over.
He had no idea how long Homeroom Teacher Zhang Liqun had agonized over that “flowery” acrostic.
Balding already, those last few hairs were probably about to give up.
His roommates stared at Xu Chen in confusion as his laughter filled the room.
Chen Dahai on the lower bunk was woken by the noise; he rolled over and stuck his head out:
“What’s up, man?”
Wiping tears of laughter from his eyes, Xu Chen said,
“What can I say… let’s just wish him luck!”
Roommates: “?”
…
…
Tuesday morning, during morning exercises.
“Second set of the National Student Broadcast Calisthenics, Ready—Start!”
As the stirring music played, the students went through the motions halfheartedly.
A few over-eager ones exaggerated every move, bouncing like spring-struck insects.
Xu Chen stood at the back of Class 5, one of the few doing the exercises properly.
During the side-turn movement, he glanced at the homeroom teacher standing behind the class.
Zhang Liqun’s shiny bald head reflected the light as he removed his oversized amber glasses and wiped them with a tissue, pinky slightly raised.
A lecherous smile curled the corner of his mouth.
Xu Chen: “…”
He must be bursting with hope over last night’s submission.
I can imagine him checking his inbox all day, praying for that 150,000-yuan prize.
Indeed, hope is the best aphrodisiac.
Right now, Zhang Liqun must be reveling in secret excitement and daydreams—he’s never been happier.
Maybe he’s already planning how to spend that 150,000 yuan…
On the next side-turn, Xu Chen looked back at the neighboring Class 6 and accidentally locked eyes with Zhao Linlin.
Xu Chen cursed inwardly and quickly looked away, afraid of any more entanglement with that alternative-girl.
Zhao Linlin, seeing Xu Chen’s gaze, also averted her eyes in an instant, even managing a head-holding twist while her body turned on the next eight-count.
Fortunately, these past few days Zhao Linlin hasn’t pestered him anymore—not even on QQ.
Xu Chen thought back: ever since Zhao Linlin’s “big brother,” the vocational school thug Ma Xiang, blocked him last time, she stopped coming after him.
Maybe Xie Bingran intervened, or perhaps “big brother” Ma Xiang confronted her after learning her true nature.
Either way, having that alternative little green tea out of his life has made things clear and peaceful.
In hindsight, Zhao Linlin was one of those girls who provided “emotional value”—her cute looks and flirtatious green-tea persona once had him wrapped around her finger.
What a regretful folly.
Glad he cut losses in time.
During the closing exercises, Xu Chen glanced toward Class 3.
Homeroom Teacher Huang Aiying stood there, arms crossed, face unamused.
She looked like a scolding wife, frustrated with an unhelpful husband at home.
Xu Chen looked but saw no sign of Xie Bingran.
He wondered, was Bing Ge not here today?
I was going to give her that phone…
Morning exercises ended; students broke into groups and headed back to the teaching building.
Xu Chen spotted Li Rui, Bing Ge’s “little brother,” from afar and hurried over.
Li Rui turned and saw Xu Chen, calling out,
“Brother Chen!”
The other guys with Li Rui also shouted, “Brother Chen!”
“Where’s Xie Bingran?”
Xu Chen asked.
Li Rui hesitated, stammering,
“Bing Ge… didn’t come this morning. I don’t know where she went.”
Xu Chen frowned.
Li Rui was obviously lying—he knew where Xie Bingran was.
Xu Chen noticed a bruise on Li Rui’s right cheekbone, likely from a fight.
But he didn’t press further. He said,
“If Bing Ge comes back, tell her I’m looking for her.”
Li Rui forced a smile. “Don’t worry, Brother Chen. She’ll be fine. She should be back by lunch.”
Xu Chen didn’t say more but couldn’t help feeling worried.
Xie Bingran’s life hasn’t entirely gotten back on track.
Ingrained habits and past shadows still cling to “Bing Ge.”
…
After the last morning class, Chen Dahai and the others planned to grab some stir-fry, but Xu Chen didn’t join them.
He lingered in the classroom a moment, then headed straight to the cafeteria.
The cafeteria buzzed with noise; the lunch line stretched long.
Xu Chen scanned the corner where Xie Bingran and her crew usually sat—the long table stood empty.
He paced through the dining hall, seeing neither Xie Bingran nor Li Rui and the other boys.
A knot of worry tightened in his chest, dark thoughts creeping in.
Li Rui’s evasive tone during exercises meant something was being hidden—and it had to be about Xie Bingran.
Had “Bing Ge” gotten into trouble again?
Tomorrow morning’s the City Games trials she and he planned to attend…
Xu Chen felt a surge of frustration. Compared to that once–quiet, scrawny deskmate, Bing Ge really is unpredictable.
He had no appetite, so he wandered out of the cafeteria.
He looked around, his gaze settling on an open patch of ground about ten meters away.