Chapter 419: Connections and Awards

Zhao Ling turned to Xu Chen and shook his hand again, smiling as she spoke.

“The slogan you created for Baidu Knows got high marks in our internal review.”

We’ll use it directly in our product promotions…”

“I thought I should mention it to you.”

Xu Chen felt a bit helpless; he could have sold that slogan, but they’d taken it for free.

Still, making connections in the internet industry was a great opportunity.

Xu Chen smiled and replied:

“Entries in the competition are authorized for brand use, so I have no issues.”

Zhao Ling nodded, clearly pleased with Xu Chen’s response.

She’d sought him out in person to avoid any unnecessary hassles in communication.

After all, he was just a “broke student,” and might not fully grasp the social norms.

There was a risk that if Baidu used his slogan, he might later try to claim rights without understanding the competition’s unwritten rules.

Zhao Ling looked at Xu Chen and smiled again as she said:

“I just found out you’re a first-year student.”

“It’s impressive that a freshman has such professional skills.”

Xu Chen responded at just the right moment:

“Actually, I run an advertising company and handle brands and creative ads both domestically and internationally.”

As he spoke, he pulled out his business card and handed it over with both hands.

“Oh?”

Zhao Ling paused, genuinely surprised.

She accepted the card politely with both hands.

Xu Chen handed another card to the assistant, Miao Xiaoyu, standing nearby.

Zhao Ling glanced at the card:

“East Morning Star Advertising…”

“What a talented young mind!”

“I can’t believe you’re not only skilled but already running an ad company.”

Xu Chen said:

“If your company has any ad or creative needs, feel free to reach out.”

Zhao Ling thought for a moment and replied:

She paused briefly:

“We at Baidu do have some ad creative demands…”

“Though, we require project pitches. Would Young Xu be interested in joining?”

Xu Chen replied:

“We’ve mostly worked with traditional clients lately and want to expand into internet categories…”

“Baidu’s a top internet company in China, so we’re definitely interested.”

“Of course, it depends on the project details and our team’s availability.”

“If you have needs, Zhao, just let me know or send a brief to my email, and we’ll evaluate it internally.”

Zhao Ling considered it and smiled:

“That’s perfect. I’ll have my assistant compile a recent project brief and send it to your company email.”

Xu Chen said:

“No problem. We’ll review it and get back quickly.”

Zhao Ling fished a card from her pocket and handed it to Xu Chen with both hands.

Her assistant, Miao Xiaoyu, quickly offered her own card too.

What started as a simple meet-and-greet with the award winner turned into a semi-formal business exchange.

They chatted a bit more, but then a committee staff member called for Zhao Ling, so Xu Chen excused himself politely.

…

…

Zhao Ling and Miao Xiaoyu hurried toward the backstage area for a media interview.

As they walked, Miao Xiaoyu whispered to her boss:

“Is it wise to send them the project?”

Zhao Ling shook her head with a smile:

“Of course not…”

“An ad company run by a teenage freshman? That’s hardly reliable.”

“I even suspect the slogan for Baidu Knows was created by someone else in his company.”

Miao Xiaoyu asked:

“Should we still send the project brief?”

Zhao Ling glanced at the card in her hand as they walked:

“Send it anyway…”

“The one who came up with ‘Empowering everyone equally’ might have some real talent in his team!”

Miao Xiaoyu replied:

“Okay, I’ll put together the brief over the next couple of days and remove any sensitive info before sending it.”

Zhao Ling added:

“This project’s under Robin’s direct watch, and he’s not happy with the proposals from those international 4A agencies…”

“If we don’t come up with something soon, it’s going to be tough to report back to him.”

“Let’s try everything at this point, even if East Morning Star Advertising doesn’t hold much hope.”

Robin, of course, referred to Baidu Group’s founder, Li Yanhong.

Though Baidu would later fall behind in the fierce internet competition over the next decade or two, in 2006-2007, it was at the peak of its growth.

And for the following ten years, it remained one of the ‘BAT’ giants.

Zhao Ling tucked away Xu Chen’s card and continued:

“Luckily, there’s the Great Wall Awards ceremony and banquet tomorrow—might be a chance to meet some solid creative ad firms.”

“Who knows, it could solve our project issues…”

…

…

The awards ceremony had ended, and most people had left.

Those still around were mingling in small groups.

Xu Chen checked the time and wanted to take Xie Bingran out for a meal.

As he stepped out from backstage, he ran into senior Zhao Siting.

Zhao Siting looked at Xu Chen and said:

“The dean organized a dinner tonight—why don’t you join us?”

Xu Chen hesitated; he wasn’t really in the mood.

He needed to check into the hotel quickly and had planned to eat there with Bing Ge anyway.

Plus, some outside restaurant food might not suit Bing Ge.

Xu Chen paused, glanced at Xie Bingran beside him, and smiled:

“Can I bring someone along?”

Zhao Siting looked uneasy and hesitated:

“It’s a college internal gathering, so it might not be ideal.”

That was exactly what Xu Chen hoped to hear.

He smiled and said:

“No worries then—we’ll just grab our own meal.”

Zhao Siting hesitated before replying:

“Alright…”

…

Xu Chen took Xie Bingran’s hand and left the venue quickly.

As they walked, Xie Bingran whispered:

“Won’t it look bad if you skip the dinner?”

Xu Chen replied:

“I need to be with you—everything else can wait.”

Xie Bingran said nothing but quietly slipped her soft hand into Xu Chen’s.

Xu Chen thought for a moment and sent a quick message to Professor Ni Zhi.

[Hello Professor Ni, I have some personal matters tonight, so I’m heading out. Just letting you know…]

…

…

They picked up the car and drove straight to the booked hotel.

The Century Grand Hotel sat in the bustling heart of Kun City.

It was one of only two five-star hotels in Kun City at the end of 2006.

After checking in, they held hands and took the elevator to their top-floor room.

Xu Chen wrapped his arms around Xie Bingran from behind:

“Hungry?”

“A little.”

“Then eat me first!”

“…”

Xu Chen turned her around and kissed her eagerly.

…

After freshening up in the room, Xu Chen called the hotel restaurant to confirm they had mushroom hotpot and asked them to prepare it.

A short while later, when they arrived at the restaurant hand in hand, the table was already set with various mushrooms.

Xie Bingran looked down curiously:

“What are all these?”

The table was full of strange and exotic mushrooms.

A local waitress came over and explained them in detail.

Matsutake, porcini, morels, golden ear, bamboo fungus, chicken of the woods, truffles…

Many were new even to Xu Chen—it was quite an eye-opener.

“Shall we start cooking them, sir and miss?”

Xu Chen said:

“Go ahead!”

The waitress carefully added the different mushrooms to the pot one by one.

She even had a timer in hand…

Xu Chen knew that each mushroom type needed specific cooking times.

And precisely controlling the boiling was key to avoiding any risks.

…

A few minutes later, the mushrooms were fished out steaming hot.

Xu Chen, ever the gentleman, mixed a small bowl of clean dipping sauce for Xie Bingran.

“Try it!”

Xie Bingran picked up a piece of some unknown mushroom, dipped it, and popped it in her mouth, chewing slowly.

“So fresh…”

Xu Chen grinned:

“Knew you’d love it!”

“Eat up—nothing beats feeding you.”

…

As they ate, Xu Chen scrolled through his phone messages.

In the Vanke project group, Gu Xinxi and Sun Aimi were already coordinating.

Vanke’s marketing manager, Liu Sen, had quickly pushed through the budget and contract processes.

The contract amount was the agreed two million.

Sun Aimi asked the client if they had any other changes to the design draft.

Vanke’s brand director, Wu Xiao Ding, replied cautiously:

[We’ll go with whatever President Xu recommends…]

Xu Chen chuckled, feeling a bit amused.

But to stay professional, he shared some optimization suggestions in the group.

What Sun Aimi and Tang Xiaowei had prepared was just for the pitch…

For the final ads, some details needed tweaking.

Sun Aimi got the hint and quickly responded:

[Got it, boss! I’ll adjust it soon.]

She then checked on Vanke’s material needs timeline.

To their surprise, Wu Xiao Ding replied timidly:

[Just follow East Morning Star Advertising’s schedule—we can accommodate.]

“Young President Xu” couldn’t help but shake his head in mild exasperation.

He recalled how Wu Xiao Ding had been so arrogant during their last pitch, sitting next to that ‘Manager Man’ and nitpicking their ideas…

Sun Aimi and Gu Xinxi saw the responses and messaged in their internal group:

[Boss, why is Vanke being so laid-back about everything?]

Xu Chen replied:

[Don’t worry about that—just focus on delivering quality work. We stick to our professional standards.]

[If they’re not rushing, handle it at your own pace.]

[Okay, boss!]

…

Gu Xinxi sent over a document separately and messaged:

[The ‘Jiao Chun’ project launches in two days. Here’s the first-phase topic hype plan for your review, boss.]

Xu Chen opened it and glanced through—the content matched what they’d already gone over, no major issues:

[Just follow the steps, but keep an eye on public opinion.]

[Especially negative feedback—guide and turn it around as per the strategy.]

Gu Xinxi: [Got it, boss. We’ve got backups ready and coordinated with Yichun City’s Publicity Department and tourism bureau.]

Gu Xinxi remembered something else:

[Jiao Tianbo mentioned he wants to come to the office on launch day to monitor things. That okay?]

Xu Chen: [No problem, as long as he stays away from confidential projects.]

Gu Xinxi: [Understood, boss!]

Xu Chen shook his head with a smile—”study god” Jiao Tianbo was always so dedicated.

He was even volunteering for overtime—talk about seeing things through.

Aside from his big ambitions, he was reliable in action.

…

In the college group chat, messages were flying.

It turned out photos from the afternoon awards had been shared.

Students who’d won awards, especially those on stage, were getting congrats from classmates and teachers.

As a double national first-prize winner, Xu Chen was getting plenty of praise too.

Led by Qian Xin, Hong Xiaoqiang, and Huang Hao, they were spamming things like “Boss Xu is awesome,” “Boss Xu looks sharp,” “Boss Xu, treat us!”…

Xu Chen checked his photo in the group and thought the counselor’s photography skills didn’t quite capture his vibe and looks.

“Boss Xu” thanked everyone in the group and generously promised a round of milk tea and snacks.

A few classmates messaged him privately to congratulate him, like Class Monitor Min Siyang, Huo Dashan from the next dorm, Chen Qiong whom he’d gotten to know in Doha…

And Su Rong.

[Congrats, Xu Chen! So happy for you!]

[The girls are all calling you a prodigy!]

Xu Chen replied:

[Thanks, Su Rong! I’ll bring you a gift from Kun City!]

But Su Rong shot back:

[Haha! Bing Ge just messaged me asking what souvenir I want!]

“…”

Xu Chen narrowed his eyes and glanced across the table at the “little foodie.”

Xie Bingran was munching on a piece of porcini mushroom, her soft lips looking plump and moist.

She noticed Xu Chen’s odd look and mumbled:

“What?”

Xu Chen said:

“You’re already planning gifts for Su Rong—how sweet.”

Bing Ge flashed a teasing smile:

“Yeah, I really like that girl.”

Xu Chen: “…”

…

In the Ran Bing Sports and East Morning Star Advertising group, Wu Feifei suddenly shared a news link:

[When did you win that award, Young President Xu?]

[Why didn’t you tell us ahead of time?]

Xu Chen clicked the link—it was the official Biguang Sai news release.

As a double national first-prize winner, his photo was front and center.

The group exploded with congrats:

[Congrats, boss!]

[Boss, you’re so cool!]

[Young President Xu was off winning awards!]

Even Fei Jie, who was on a business trip in Fujian Province, and Zhou Junjun, in a meeting with her, sent their well-wishes.

…

…