Chapter 446: Meetings and Masterminds in Advertising

Wu Tianfu spotted the creative veteran Mo Kangxun from a distance and was already rising with a smile.

Though Wu Tianfu brimmed with confidence as a top creative force in the industry, he knew to show respect in front of the legendary ad man Mo Kangxun.

Wu Tianfu stood up with a grin and hurried over.

……

But Mo Kangxun, striding toward them, seemed to completely overlook Wu Tianfu.

Instead, he headed straight for the three young people on the opposite couch.

……

Xu Chen had already gotten to his feet.

Mo Kangxun wore a warm, amused smile as he grasped Xu Chen’s hand:

“Young Xu, what a surprise to run into you today!

I just heard you were here, so I came to say hello!”

Xu Chen replied with utmost politeness:

“Mr. Mo, I should have come to find you.

I’m truly honored!”

……

Nearby,

Wu Tianfu stopped a few steps away, feeling awkward and frozen.

He hadn’t expected Mo Kangxun to know this young man who looked so youthful.

And as a big name himself, Mo Kangxun was being so enthusiastic and courteous to this young upstart?!

……

Only then did Mo Kangxun notice Wu Tianfu standing off to the side.

He chuckled and said:

“Tif, you’re here too!”

Wu Tianfu quickly put on a big smile and approached:

“Mr. Mo!”

Mo Kangxun smiled kindly and shook Wu Tianfu’s hand.

Wu Tianfu: “Bumping into you today is a real treat.”

Mo Kangxun: “The industry’s full of young talents now. I’m just an old-timer trying to keep up and compete.”

Wu Tianfu: “Don’t say that, Mr. Mo. It makes us juniors feel unworthy.”

As Mo Kangxun and Wu Tianfu chatted, Xu Chen stood quietly, listening without interrupting.

After all, to Xu Chen, both were venerable seniors—one a legend, the other a rising industry giant.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Mo Kangxun turned to Xu Chen and said with a smile:

“You two haven’t met yet? Let me introduce you.

This is Tif from Dentsu, one of the youngest creative partners in the circle.”

“And this is Xu Chen from East Morning Star Advertising. Last month, he snagged the Great Wall Award’s grand prize!”

……

Wu Tianfu glanced at Xu Chen, his eyes wide with surprise.

He thought to himself: So this is Xu Chen from East Morning Star Advertising…

The Great Wall Award was a major event in the industry, and Wu Tianfu had followed it closely.

He’d heard that this year’s top prize went to some obscure local firm, and here he was, meeting them face-to-face.

Wu Tianfu realized, “Ah, that explains it.”

As a Great Wall Award judge, it made sense Mo Kangxun knew this young talent.

Xu Chen said politely:

“Hello, Mr. Tif. I’m Xu Chen.

I’ve heard so much about you!”

Wu Tianfu smiled and shook Xu Chen’s hand:

“I was overseas last month and missed the Great Wall Award.

Otherwise, I’d have met you earlier!

Your ‘Afraid of Getting Heated’ campaign was spot-on—effective and creative. Winning the grand prize was well-deserved.”

He couldn’t help sizing up Xu Chen as he added:

“I never imagined you’d be so young…”

Mo Kangxun: “We were all shocked at the awards ceremony!

What a talented youngster!”

……

Meanwhile, Wu Tianfu’s team members nearby overheard the conversation.

The Great Wall Award was still buzzing in the industry.

They were all familiar with East Morning Star Advertising and Xu Chen.

“That guy is the one from East Morning Star Advertising!”

“And he’s so young…”

“Hitting creative director at that age is impressive.

I thought the woman with glasses was the boss…”

“Not just director—he owns East Morning Star Advertising!”

“Running his own company with big clients like Jiaduobao…

I’m jealous!”

“And don’t forget, they handled Jeep’s latest ad with Xie Bingran and Wang Shi!”

“What? I thought Jeep was with BBDO!”

“They lost the pitch to East Morning Star Advertising!”

“Whoa…”

……

……

Xu Chen continued chatting with Mo Kangxun and Wu Tianfu, exchanging contact info to solidify the acquaintance.

One of Mo Kangxun’s young assistants reminded him of a meeting back at the office, so he said:

“I need to head back. You young folks keep talking…”

Right then, a Baidu assistant approached Wu Tianfu:

“Mr. Tif, Blue Focus is almost done presenting. Your team can get ready backstage.”

……

……

The vast rest area was now just Xu Chen, Sun Aimi, and Su Rong.

Su Rong grabbed three coffees, each topped with a fluffy layer of foam, and handed one to Xu Chen with a smile:

“You’re amazing, Young Xu, chatting away with industry giants like it’s nothing.”

Xu Chen took the coffee and joked:

“They’re not as important as our Miss Su!”

As they spoke, Sun Aimi reviewed the presentation on her laptop.

Xu Chen asked, “Aimi, all set?”

Sun Aimi: “I trimmed it to fit fifteen minutes, cutting back on the strategy setup to focus on the creative concepts and execution.”

Xu Chen nodded: “Perfect. Strategy builds credibility, but the creative is what sells it.”

Sun Aimi smiled and nodded, though nerves gnawed at her inside.

After all, they were up against heavyweights like Mo Kangxun and Wu Tianfu.

Xu Chen knew what was on her mind and added with a grin:

“The ad world runs on ideas and work, not just experience or titles.

Don’t sweat the competition—just deliver the creative, Aimi.”

Sun Aimi nodded firmly: “Got it!”

……

……

In about ten minutes, assistant Miao Xiaoyu approached:

“Mr. Xu, you’re up next.”

Xu Chen nodded, and Sun Aimi and Su Rong rose with him.

Miao Xiaoyu led them toward the main conference room, saying:

“Dentsu’s team is wrapping up, so you’ll go right after.”

Xu Chen: “Okay.” ……

The conference room door was shut tight.

Outside, there was a small waiting area where Miao Xiaoyu had them sit.

Xu Chen joked, “Looks like meetings with the boss are timed to the second.”

Miao Xiaoyu smiled awkwardly:

“Yeah, his schedule is packed. He measures meetings in minutes, even fives or tens.”

In just a minute or two, the door opened.

Out came Wu Tianfu and the Dentsu team.

Miao Xiaoyu said, “Mr. Xu, let’s go in!”

Xu Chen and his team stood up.

Wu Tianfu spotted them but just nodded with a smile, knowing they were about to present.

Xu Chen returned the smile.

……

Wu Tianfu and his team headed down in the elevator.

“Tif, that presentation was spot-on! I saw Li Yanhong nodding a few times!”

“With you leading, Tif, it’s a sure win!”

Wu Tianfu adjusted his sharp gray-framed glasses and said confidently:

“We were the third to present, and from Robin and Zhao’s reactions, they liked our plan.

That means the first two, including Mo Kangxun’s, probably didn’t measure up!”

“You’re the best, Tif! Good thing you switched to this plan—it’s clearly what Li Yanhong wants.”

Wu Tianfu chuckled:

“You hit the nail on the head!

Of our options, this isn’t the most creative, but it’s tailored for Li Yanhong.

Pitches are about knowing your audience and playing to their tastes…”

“No wonder we learn so much working with you, Tif!”

……

……

In the conference room,

At least seven or eight people sat around, with Baidu’s founder Li Yanhong and marketing VP Zhao Ling up front.

Zhao Ling stood with a smile and introduced Xu Chen briefly to the big boss Li Yanhong.

She added, “This year’s Great Wall Award grand prize came from Young Xu’s team.”

Li Yanhong had a refined, gentlemanly air—the handsomest among tech giants.

He stood to shake Xu Chen’s hand, though surprise flashed across his face at Xu Chen’s youth.

Xu Chen greeted them and handed over his business card with both hands.

Sun Aimi and Su Rong followed, looking polite and composed.

After a quick chat, Zhao Ling said:

“Mr. Xu, time’s tight, so let’s dive in.”

Xu Chen introduced creative director Sun Aimi, and they began the presentation.

……

Sun Aimi felt nervous at first, but once she started, she hit her stride.

Her delivery was clear, logical, and smooth.

Su Rong watched in awe, thinking, “Aimi’s incredible—I never saw this side of her.”

If it were me, I’d be shaking.”

……

As Sun Aimi presented, Xu Chen kept an eye on the room’s reactions.

Li Yanhong sat in the front row, arms crossed, staring at the screen.

He frowned occasionally, stroking his chin in thought, but showed no delight or approval…

Xu Chen felt a twinge of concern.

This tech guy from Silicon Valley probably wasn’t connecting with the bold creative ideas.

Li Yanhong stayed silent and stoic, and the rest of the room followed suit.

So, the only sound was Sun Aimi’s voice echoing in the large room.

Sun Aimi started strong, but when she hit the fun, humorous ad scenes and got no laughs or nods, her confidence wavered.

Still, she stayed composed, delivering it all with poise.

……

Right at the fifteen-minute mark, Sun Aimi finished.

The viral video of ‘Tang Bohu roasting foreigners’ played out clearly.

She glanced at her boss.

Xu Chen smiled, giving her an encouraging nod.

But inside, Sun Aimi felt unsettled.

The flat reactions suggested the pitch had fallen flat.

She fought back the shame, keeping a professional smile.

……

With five minutes left for questions,

Assistant Miao Xiaoyu said:

“Thank you for the presentation, Aimi…

Robin and Zhao, any questions?”

Zhao Ling looked to Li Yanhong, who just shook his head and jotted notes, clearly disengaged.

Zhao Ling said awkwardly, “Thanks to Mr. Xu and the East Morning Star team. No questions here!”

……

……

A few minutes later, Miao Xiaoyu escorted Xu Chen, Sun Aimi, and Su Rong out and to the elevator.

Once alone, Sun Aimi let out a breath:

“Boss… did I mess it up?”

Her voice trembled slightly.

Xu Chen turned to the dejected Sun Aimi and smiled: “Don’t worry, we’ll wait for the results.”

Sun Aimi adjusted her round glasses, on the verge of tears.

Su Rong, confused, said: “But Aimi, you did great, right?”

Sun Aimi: “No feedback, no questions… that means they weren’t hooked.”

She paused, her tone laced with regret: “This is on me…

Your pitches always get great responses, Boss.”

Xu Chen reassured her: “Don’t beat yourself up, Aimi.

I came up with the idea—if it doesn’t land, it’s on me, not your delivery.”

Sun Aimi blinked, fighting back tears, as Xu Chen added confidently:

“Besides, the verdict’s not in yet!”

Though he said that, Xu Chen wondered if something had gone wrong with the plan.