Chapter 418: Awards and Ambitions
by xennovelXie Bingran listened quietly as the host introduced the event, then turned to Xu Chen and asked softly:
“Are you going up to accept the award later?”
Xu Chen smiled and replied:
Bing Ge flashed a playful smile:
“Impressive.”
Xu Chen said:
“It doesn’t compare at all to your Asian Games gold medal.”
Before the official awards, speeches from guests were inevitable.
First, a leader from the advertising association gave a short but inspiring speech.
Next up was the guest from the biggest sponsor of this year’s University Advertising Competition—a marketing vice president from Baidu Company, a professional and capable female executive.
The final speaker was the chair of this year’s competition jury, Professor Jin Changhai from Xiamen University.
Professor Jin Changhai’s speech was brief too, and he specifically mentioned and thanked several big names on the judging panel, including Professor Lin Ruyang from Tonghai University.
In China’s advertising and creative education field, both Jin Changhai and Lin Ruyang are top-tier figures.
Professor Jin Changhai represents the ‘local school,’ having cultivated the advertising education field in China for years and once elevating Xiamen University to the top rank for advertising programs.
Professor Lin Ruyang, on the other hand, has a background in studying abroad in Europe and introduced fresher knowledge systems in creative design to China…
In a way, these two academic giants have a bit of a rivalry.
But from the judging panel setup of the University Advertising Competition, it seems Jin Changhai has a slight edge.
Xu Chen couldn’t help but think to himself:
“I’ve won two national first prizes for Tonghai University, which should really give Dean Lin Ruyang some face…”
If the dean was truly upset about my tardiness, that would be a bit petty.
Before the official awards, there was even a performance segment.
On stage was a group of students from Yun Dian University.
They wore outfits from some ethnic group and performed a lively but somewhat awkward song and dance.
Finally, the moment everyone anticipated—the awards ceremony—arrived.
This University Advertising Competition had seven main categories.
Including print, video, interactive, planning, UI design, animation, and copywriting.
Each category had first, second, third, and excellence awards…
The ceremony started with the excellence awards.
Due to the large number of winners, they presented awards by school.
Only a few schools with strong advertising and creative programs won.
Nationwide, there were 70 excellence award-winning works, and Tonghai University, ranked in the top three for advertising, snagged 5.
Xiamen University, currently number one in advertising programs, took the most with 8 excellence awards.
Professor Jin Changhai from Xiamen University looked clearly pleased and proud while presenting on stage.
Representing Tonghai University on stage was senior Zhao Siting from the third-year advertising class.
Zhao Siting himself won an excellence award in this competition.
During a break in the onstage presentations, Xie Bingran turned to Xu Chen again and asked quietly:
“What award are you getting?”
Xu Chen said casually:
“Of course, first prize.”
Bing Ge showed a hint of disdain and even let out a cold laugh.
But she slyly moved her arm and slipped her soft, delicate hand into Xu Chen’s palm.
Then she pursed her lips and smiled happily.
There were 35 third prizes total, and Tonghai University won 2.
One was a senior in animation who got third in the animation category.
The other was a third-year student in graphic design who won third in UI design.
When their names were announced, they jumped up excitedly and hurried onstage, barely hiding their joy.
Dean Lin Ruyang, sitting in the front row, beamed with pride as he applauded his students.
There were 21 second prizes, but Tonghai University got none.
Xiamen University snagged 5 second prizes, and Professor Jin Changhai stood from the guest seats to applaud his students specially.
Meanwhile, Lin Ruyang beside him looked clearly unhappy.
The silent competition between these two veterans was almost amusing.
As the second prize winners left the stage, the host stepped to the side of the podium.
“Next up is the most prestigious award of the night—the national first prize…
The sixth University Advertising Competition saw over 1,800 universities from across the nation participate, with nearly 900,000 entries submitted.
Both the number of participating schools and entries set new records!
Out of those nearly 900,000 works, only seven earned the national first prize!”
While the host was speaking, Zhao Siting received a message and turned to Xu Chen:
“Xu Chen, you can head to the right side of the podium to wait.”
Xu Chen nodded:
“Okay!”
Just then, he noticed Professor Ni Zhi smiling at him with an encouraging and approving look.
Xu Chen smiled back and nodded in thanks to Professor Ni Zhi.
He glanced at the wealthy girl and said, “Wait for me—I’ll be right back after getting the award.”
“Oh.”
Xu Chen stood and walked quickly to the right side of the podium steps.
Several students were already lined up there.
Clearly, they were all national first prize winners.
A staff member came over, quickly checked a few names, and adjusted their positions based on the order of presentation.
Surprisingly, Xu Chen was placed first.
That meant he was going up first.
He wondered if his two first prizes would be presented together or one at a time.
At the same time, murmurs came from the students behind him:
“Aren’t there seven national first prizes? Why only six of us?”
“Did someone not show up?”
“Who skips a national first prize? Which school is that cocky?”
“Didn’t you check the winner list?”
“Someone grabbed two national first prizes!”
“Really? That’s intense!”
“Which school? Xiamen University?”
“Not ours…”
“Seems like Tonghai University.”
On the podium at that moment.
Announcing the first national first prize was the chair of this competition’s jury, Professor Jin Changhai from Xiamen University.
“The first award is for the print category national first prize.
Print is the most traditional category and tests creative skills the most.
Since advertising began, print ads have been the foundation, classic, and most important form…”
“I declare that the winner of the sixth University Advertising Competition print category national first prize is…”
“‘Bite Through It’ for Gao Solid Clean toothpaste, from Tonghai University, Xu Chen!”
Applause erupted from the audience.
The staff signaled for Xu Chen to go up, and he stepped onto the stage.
The host continued:
“Congratulations to Xu Chen and Tonghai University!
Professor Jin, please stay to present the award…
And let’s welcome another presenter, Mr. Sun Xinhao, brand director of Gao Solid Clean!”
Xu Chen was guided to the center of the podium.
He looked out and saw Dean Lin Ruyang in the front row middle seat, smiling at him with a mix of pride and excitement as he clapped.
In the rows behind, Tonghai University students were applauding energetically.
One of them held a camera—it was probably the counselor, Zhai Chunshui.
Bing Ge sat there too.
Wearing a baseball cap, she kept her head slightly lowered.
But she raised her hands to her chest and gave Xu Chen two thumbs up…
Professor Jin Changhai presented the University Advertising Competition first prize trophy to Xu Chen.
Mr. Sun Xinhao from Gao Solid Clean handed him the certificate.
Then the three posed for a photo on the podium.
In the audience, Dean Lin Ruyang applauded even harder seeing Jin Changhai award his student.
Xu Chen was directed to wait on the side of the podium.
Next, they presented the video, interactive, and planning category awards.
The video category first prize went to Huaxia Media University.
Interactive went to a student from Beijing Normal University.
Planning went to Xiamen University…
The winners were all thrilled.
Staff led them one by one to the side of the podium, next to Xu Chen.
“For the next award, please welcome the naming sponsor of this University Advertising Competition, Baidu Group’s marketing vice president, Ms. Zhao Ling, to announce!”
The capable Baidu Group executive walked to the podium with a smile.
“The winner of the sixth University Advertising Competition copywriting category national first prize is…”
“Baidu Knows slogan: Baidu Knows, achieving equality for everyone!”
“From Tonghai University, Xu Chen!”
“…”
As Xu Chen walked back to the center from the side, the audience stirred with surprise and whispers.
Clearly, many didn’t realize one person from the same school had won two national first prizes.
Behind him, the students who had just received awards murmured:
“Someone really won two first prizes!”
“That’s amazing—it’s him!”
“Winning two national first prizes by one person— that’s never happened before, right?”
“Didn’t you read the announcements? And he’s just a freshman!”
“What? A freshman? How’s that possible?”
“He must have entered right after starting university!”
“Please welcome the presenters…
Bureau Chief Zhao Hairu from Kun City Culture and Tourism Bureau.
And Baidu Group’s marketing vice president, Ms. Zhao Ling!”
On stage.
Xu Chen felt a bit awkward.
With one trophy and certificate already in hand, grabbing another pair was tricky.
The two presenters noticed and stepped in to help.
With their assistance, Xu Chen managed to hold both trophies and certificates.
They posed for photos.
In the front row, Dean Lin Ruyang laughed heartily and applauded vigorously, sneaking a proud glance at Professor Jin Changhai from Xiamen University…
“This is the sixth University Advertising Competition, and for the first time, a single student from one university has won two national first prizes…
Let’s congratulate Xu Chen and Tonghai University once more!”
The host’s words echoed through the venue.
Dean Lin Ruyang looked thoroughly pleased and happy.
After the copywriting award, they presented the UI design and animation first prizes.
With that, all awards were done.
Under the host’s guidance, all first prize winners gathered at the center of the podium.
All guests and judges joined for a group photo.
Amusingly, Dean Lin Ruyang was all smiles as he strode straight to Xu Chen and pulled him forward.
His delight was impossible to hide.
Xu Chen struggled to hold his two trophies and certificates while forcing a smile next to Lin Ruyang.
He found it funny too…
Earlier, they said someone else would accept for me, and Zhao Siting even mentioned the dean was mad about my lateness.
But in the face of honors for the college and school, being late was nothing.
Zhao Siting was just overcautious and dramatic…
After the flashes and applause, everyone filed off stage orderly.
Lin Ruyang patted Xu Chen’s arm and said approvingly:
“Well done!”
Xu Chen replied:
“Thank you, Dean Lin!”
There were more guest speeches, but no one was interested anymore.
Xu Chen carried his trophies and certificates back to his seat.
Passing Xie Bingran, the wealthy girl tucked in her long legs and flashed him a mischievous smile.
Before he sat, a group of seniors surrounded him, offering congratulations.
They curiously and enviously took his trophies to admire.
Xu Chen finally got a chance to introduce himself to these fellow students from his college.
But there were too many to remember all the names.
While chatting and laughing with the seniors, a staff member approached Xu Chen quietly:
“Excuse me, Xu Chen.”
Xu Chen turned: “Yes?”
“The Baidu representatives want to meet and chat with you.”
Xu Chen nodded.
He quickly told the seniors and Professor Ni Zhi, then followed the staff out.
He reached back and pulled Xie Bingran’s arm:
“Come with me.”
Xie Bingran said “Oh” and lowered her cap brim a bit, following Xu Chen obediently.
In the rest area behind the podium.
The staff introduced them.
Standing there was the presenter from earlier, Baidu Group’s marketing vice president, Zhao Ling.
Beside her was a petite woman with glasses, her assistant named Miao Xiaoyu.
After introductions and greetings, the committee staff left.
Zhao Ling had a sharp, professional vibe, somewhat like Fei Jie.
But her looks didn’t quite match Nie Fei’s…