Chapter 464: Winter Break Buzz

Winter break arrived, and the long-quiet high school class group finally sprang back to life.

Xu Chen slept in until noon that day, waking up to find his phone buzzing nonstop with messages from the high school group.

It turned out a bunch of high school classmates were organizing a get-together for meals, and a pile of them had tagged him specifically, led by Chen Dahai.

[@Boss Xu, are you back in Tiancheng yet?]

[It’s not Boss Xu anymore—it’s ‘Richest Xu’ now!]

Xu Chen was a bit confused at first, but after scrolling through the group messages, he realized his family’s Chenfeng Technology had become big news among his old classmates.

“Chenfeng Technology” came from acquiring and reforming the state-owned Bright Factory, which was once Tiancheng’s largest local enterprise.

Now that Xu Chen’s family owned the old Bright Factory, it naturally drew a lot of attention from his classmates.

They’d only heard that Xu Chen’s family ran a factory in the town below, so how did they suddenly buy out a city-owned state plant?!

Over the past six months, with “Chenfeng Ice Power” launching and gaining publicity, Xu Zhiquan had been popping up in Tiancheng media, looking every bit the local big boss and star entrepreneur.

His classmates had probably seen the news and bragged to people around them:

“That’s Xu Chen’s dad from our class!”

The group was setting up a class reunion, and Xu Chen was interested in joining.

After all, there were three years of high school bonds, plus good buddies like Chen Dahai and a few others.

In the end, under the original senior class monitor’s organization, they set the gathering for the 9th of next week.

Besides signing up in the group chat, Xu Chen messaged Chen Dahai separately:

[Let’s grab drinks!]

Chen Dahai: [Sure! Give me a couple of days—I’m still in the provincial capital and haven’t headed back.]

Xu Chen: [What’s keeping you in the provincial capital?]

Chen Dahai: [I’ve got a girlfriend now… just hanging out with her…]

Xu Chen: [Oh man! Congrats! Stay as long as you need—drinks with me can wait.]

Chen Dahai: [No no no! Drinking with you is top priority!

I’ll wrap things up here in a couple of days and head back. Wait for me!]

……

Xu Chen got up, grabbed a quick bite, then drove alone to the industrial park.

Things were always more lively there, and he had promised to restock Fang Jun’s sister’s bar that afternoon.

……

In the past few days, Guo Liang had taken his team on a business trip to wrap up some deals before the New Year.

The trip mainly covered Lang City and Shimen City.

First, to prepare for upcoming ad campaigns by securing local advertising resources in advance.

Second, to set up a direct Chenfeng Electric Vehicles store in Shimen City.

Third, to take advantage of the season and connect with the headquarters and regional management of Datuo Car Dealership and Aixing Car Dealership.

For these major dealers, the general managers in each province or region hold more sway than some headquarters leaders.

Each regional general manager is like a local power player, with connections and resources outsiders can’t imagine.

That’s the complexity of channel distribution.

Digging into specific provinces, cities, counties, and towns involves intricate social dynamics and networks.

Without special skills or resources, you couldn’t pull off being a regional general manager.

Guo Liang has traveled extensively for years; he handled similar stuff in the pharma industry, so he has a natural edge in these interactions.

Plus, for expanding networks with dealer headquarters, Nie Fei has already connected with key contacts.

Interestingly, this initial network trace back to the Jeep thank-you banquet last time.

At that banquet, several auto dealer bosses were there, and Nie Fei managed to network with them.

Coincidentally, some knew people from Datuo Car Dealership’s original founding team.

Talk about a lucky break.

Nie Fei has made initial contact; the person is a high-level executive at Datuo Car Dealership headquarters.

Xu Zhiquan is still swamped these days, so they’ll wait for him to free up and arrange a visit to discuss…

With the New Year approaching, Xu Zhiquan has a ton of relationships to maintain.

These past few days, President Xu hasn’t been home at all—just out eating and networking.

City leaders, provincial officials, bank heads, highway group executives, major project heads…

He has to touch base with all of them and keep those relationships solid.

Xu Zhiquan always brings Fang Jun along.

Especially at city and provincial dinners, having Fang Jun there often makes things go twice as smoothly.

And since Fang Jun’s sister gets free drinks out of it, she’s more than happy to join.

The aloof Fang Jun’s sister doesn’t schmooze at any dinner, but her presence alone makes key figures in the city and province view Xu Zhiquan and Chenfeng in a new light.

Li Rui got reassigned to the provincial capital to oversee the direct store, so Fang Tao is now driving for Xu Zhiquan.

Fang Tao was originally helping at the Tiancheng store, but with President Xu’s dinners piling up, he pulled Fang Tao in as driver and bodyguard.

Fang Tao is from the same village as Bing Ge—a tall, straightforward guy.

One evening, Fang Tao drove Xu Zhiquan home, and Xu Chen ran into him again.

He looked the same as ever—buzz cut, voice deep and gruff…

After the New Year, Xu Zhiquan has trips lined up to Beijing, Zhejiang Province, Jiangsu Province, Fujian Province, and Guangdong Province.

He’ll visit several key suppliers in the East Morning Star industry.

That includes suppliers for Chenfeng Technology’s tech, motors, batteries, and materials.

It also covers Wanrong Materials and Lifeng Footwear linked to Ran Bing Sports.

Even Su Rong has messaged Xu Chen, already knowing ‘Uncle Xu’ will visit Jiangsu Province after the New Year.

Xu Zhiquan asked Xu Chen if he wanted to join these trips.

Xu Chen felt a bit lazy and isn’t a fan of those networking scenes.

With his dad handling it, he’d rather just be a relaxed, free-spirited rich kid for now and stay out of it.

……

……

In the last few days, Xu Chen made time to have a couple of drinks with Fang Jun and Wu Yue.

The main reason was to thank the ‘money goddess’ Fang Jun’s sister for helping sort out the interior design for Bing Ge’s house.

Xu Chen and Wu Yue aren’t great with alcohol, so Fang Jun invited a few young folks from finance, including Gu Xuewei and Jiang Xiaozhen.

Those subordinates got tipsy keeping up with Fang Jun, and Young Xu Chen couldn’t help but joke:

“You all better not mess up the year-end accounts when you get back…”

Fang Jun said with a straight face:

“Don’t worry, Young Xu, we’re always sharp when we’re working.”

……

Xu Chen also found time to check the production line and have a meal with Yang Congxin.

Yang Congxin has been promoted to ‘Technical Vice President’ as the tech department head, but everyone still calls him ‘Director Yang’.

He looked as he always did—wearing black-rimmed glasses, meticulously put together.

For the past six months, Yang Congxin has been glued to production, especially the last few months, practically living in the industrial park.

When Xu Chen dropped by, he was on the production line supervising, and he took Young Xu on a quick tour.

“The production lines are fully debugged now, and the workers are all skilled.

Overall efficiency has jumped up from last month…”

“We’ve cycled through the workers twice; anyone not fitting in got reassigned or sent to your Fourth Uncle for the seedling projects.

Here at the park, it’s all about efficiency—after all, President Xu said we’re a ‘tech company’.”

“The new factory on the north side is still under construction; we’re bringing in Japanese production lines and full processes, which will double efficiency!”…

Yang Congxin explained as he showed Xu Chen around.

You could tell Director Yang was really pleased with how things were going on the lines.

They ran into a worker uncle on the inspection line; seeing Yang Congxin and Xu Chen approach, he hesitated, like he had something to say.

Yang Congxin: “Old Nie, spit it out if you’ve got something.”

The worker called ‘Old Nie’ smiled and stepped up, but addressed Xu Chen:

“Hello, Young Xu! My son is Nie Sen Sen—he was in your high school class!”

Xu Chen paused, then quickly and politely said, “Hello, Uncle Nie.”

That jogged his memory.

Nie Sen Sen was a quiet guy in their senior class, kept to himself, and didn’t interact much with Xu Chen.

But after Xu Zhiquan acquired Bright Factory, Nie Sen Sen had personally thanked Xu Chen.

Nie Sen Sen’s parents were old Bright Factory employees, ready for layoffs.

Xu Zhiquan bought the factory without firing anyone and set up proper transitions.

He had them help at the seedling base and got their salaries back on track after months.

Now, Nie Sen Sen’s dad was still on the line, keeping a stable job, and his politeness to Xu Chen carried a clear note of gratitude.

He seemed honest and unassuming, shook Xu Chen’s hand, but didn’t know what else to say, just smiled with wrinkles creasing his face.

Xu Chen smiled and said:

“We’re having a class reunion next week—I’ll see Nie Sen Sen and we’ll grab a meal!”

……

……

Before long, the day of the class reunion arrived.

To make it easier for classmates from farther away, they scheduled the meal for noon.

The night before, Xu Chen stayed in his office at Jinfeng Business Tower, so he didn’t have to drive from the town.

Around noon, Xu Chen drove around to near Tiancheng No. 1 High School, where they planned to eat.

He rolled down the window and took a few extra looks.

It had only been over half a year since graduation, but it felt like a lifetime ago.

Mainly, after a semester in Shanghai, his work, studies, and life had changed dramatically—all for the better, of course.

……

When he pulled up to the school gate, he noticed a banner for Xie Bingran—it was about Bing Ge’s recent gold medal at the World Youth Championships.

With some time to kill, Xu Chen parked by the school gate and walked over for a closer look.

School was out for break, so it was empty.

At the bulletin board outside the gate, there was a full display dedicated to ‘Asian Games champion’ Xie Bingran.

They’d put real effort into it; besides the win news, there were stories about her events and scholarship sponsorships.

There were even articles from teachers and students, like former homeroom teacher Huang Aiying reminiscing about Xie Bingran’s school days, and current seniors learning from her spirit…

Xu Chen read through it with a bit of amusement, chuckling awkwardly.

……

“Jinyuan Restaurant” was just down the street behind the school—one of the better spots around.

Back in senior year, they were all broke students, so gatherings never hit places like this.

Now, though still students, college allowances made it feasible.

Xu Chen followed the directions upstairs to the largest private room.

Before he even reached the door, he heard laughter and chatter.

As he pushed in, Chen Dahai and the others swarmed him.

The room was packed with three full tables—quite a turnout.

His buddies dragged Xu Chen over and plunked him in the main seat at the big table.

After greetings all around, Chen Dahai handed out smokes and lit up.

Seeing old classmates after so long felt warm and familiar.

While Xu Chen chatted with Chen Dahai and the crew, a few classmates he hadn’t been close to came over to say hi.

Xu Chen was secretly relieved he still remembered everyone’s names…

Maybe because he just sat down, the conversation quickly turned to him.

“We got a Chenfeng electric vehicle at home!

At first, we just knew it was Bing Ge’s ad, but then found out it’s your family’s company?”

“You’re low-key, Boss Xu—Chenfeng Technology is yours, so your dad’s basically Tiancheng’s richest man, right?”…

Seeing the table buzzing about Chenfeng and Xu Chen, classmates from the other two tables joined in.

Someone started the hype, pushing “Boss Xu” to say a few words.

Xu Chen felt a bit awkward inside.

But with the vibe like that, he casually said:

“Well, today’s tab is on Boss Xu…”

That kicked off cheers and applause.

Chen Dahai yelled toward the door:

“Waiter! More dishes!”

Xu Chen: “……”

……

Bing Ge was naturally a hot topic that day.

Though not from their class, she was a school legend.

And now, with Xu Chen’s connection to Bing Ge well-known, it added to the excitement.

Having an Asian Games gold medalist from their school blew everyone’s minds.

The story of Bing Ge getting a house as a city reward had become legendary.

All kids from the same school and grade were stunned and super jealous.

“Bing Ge’s amazing—we’re still freshmen, and she’s already got a place.”

“A house is nothing; she gets hundreds of thousands for each gold medal!”

Xu Chen stayed quiet, thinking to himself that Bing Ge’s earnings from a gold medal were way more than that now…

Chen Dahai threw an arm around Xu Chen’s shoulder, cigarette in hand, bragging:

“Bing Ge’s sports talent was Xu Chen’s discovery, but I, Chen Dahai, get a little credit too!

Back when she competed in the city games, I played a key role!”

Xu Chen picked up his lighter and lit Chen Dahai’s cigarette:

“More than a role—you were the crucial hero!”

“