Chapter 469: Unexpected Alliances
by xennovelXu Chen naturally had to politely decline the executive position offer from Baidu that Ma Dongmin had extended.
Just like last year’s invitation from Vanke, it was a high-level role in a major corporation, but for Xu Chen, who controlled two companies, it held little appeal anymore.
In fact, taking a job now would offer poor value for the effort.
Of course, Xu Chen couldn’t just refuse outright; instead, he made a light-hearted joke to ease the tension and shift the topic.
Ma Dongmin and Zhao Ling were sharp; they picked up on Xu Chen’s subtle rejection right away.
Zhao Ling stayed quiet, but her expression showed clear relief.
When she looked at Xu Chen, her complex gaze even held a touch of gratitude.
If Xu Chen had actually taken the role as ‘Marketing Vice President’ at the company, Zhao Ling would have been demoted…
Xu Chen found it amusing; Baidu’s boss lady Melissa was indeed sharp and straightforward.
She contrasted sharply with the refined and soft-spoken Li Yanhong.
No wonder Zhao Ling seemed so on edge around her; the boss lady didn’t care about saving face for her subordinates.
Ma Dongmin turned back to Xu Chen and added with a smile:
“You don’t need to decide right away, Xu Chen. Take some time to think it over.”
“We’re Baidu, a fresh internet company—not like those traditional firms obsessed with seniority.”
“If you join, I’ll make sure you land smoothly…”
The implication was clear: “I’ll have your back.”
Xu Chen felt genuinely appreciative:
“Thank you for the trust, Melissa. I’m truly honored.”
Ma Dongmin shook Xu Chen’s hand again before heading to her car.
Zhao Ling also shook his hand and said:
“Sorry for the trouble, Xu Chen. I need to rush back for a meeting.”
“Miao Xiaoyu will stay here, so direct any issues to her.”
Xu Chen replied: “Got it, thanks Zhao!”
Ma Dongmin and Zhao Ling left in their car first.
The six or seven young people who had accompanied the bosses got into another sightseeing vehicle and followed.
Xu Chen shook his head, bemused; had that whole group come just to make the boss lady look good?
……
At the monitoring rest area.
They had just finished shooting a scene and were taking a break to switch setups.
As soon as Xu Chen sat down, Director Ba Yu approached with two assistants.
“Xu Chen, we’ve reshot based on the feedback you gave.”
“Let’s check if there are any other issues?”
Ba Yu asked quietly, looking a bit nervous and troubled.
Xu Chen smiled helplessly, understanding the director’s situation.
He glanced around and saw that Baidu’s assistant Miao Xiaoyu wasn’t nearby, so he spoke softly:
“I was too detailed with my suggestions this morning—way too many—because the client’s boss was around, and I had no choice.”
“All those comments were to help cut down on her input; after all, client specifics often aren’t that reliable.”
“Don’t worry, Ba Yu; this afternoon, you’re in charge. I’ll only chime in on key problems and major shots.”
Ba Yu paused for a moment, then his face lit up with a grateful smile:
“Thanks… Xu Chen.”
……
With little free time at noon, the production team provided boxed meals for everyone.
Miao Xiaoyu had suggested taking Xu Chen out to eat, but he didn’t want the hassle and just ate with the crew.
The afternoon shoot went smoothly.
Xu Chen kept a close eye on the process but didn’t nitpick every minor detail like he had in the morning.
Miao Xiaoyu, Zhao Ling’s assistant, sat with Xu Chen; she wasn’t from the operations side and couldn’t really follow the technical discussions.
She just thought Xu Chen and the director’s team were incredibly professional—most of their chats went right over her head.
Around five in the evening, Director Ba Yu checked a few shots with Xu Chen, then announced over the walkie-talkie, “That’s a wrap!”
Cheers and applause broke out.
Ba Yu was meticulous at work, but off-duty, he had a personality like Wu Feifei’s—optimistic, outgoing, and likable.
She pulled Xu Chen into group photos and introduced him to the director’s team, wardrobe staff, and everyone else.
Then she suggested dinner with Xu Chen, but he declined, citing a flight to catch.
Ba Yu showed natural disappointment but said she’d visit East Morning Star Advertising for future Shanghai projects.
Xu Chen said goodbye to the team and gave Miao Xiaoyu a quick word before hurrying off with Sun Aimi to catch their flight.
Sun Aimi and Ba Yu seemed quite familiar; they even hugged goodbye.
……
……
That evening, back in Shanghai.
Xu Chen slung his backpack over his shoulder and returned to the school dormitory; stepping inside, it was a total mess.
His roommates had gone home for the break and left everything in disarray.
The whole Southwest Building dorm area was nearly empty, with only a few students sticking around for internships or part-time jobs.
Xu Chen thought it over and decided to shower at school before heading back to the company to sleep.
Plus, that little bed on the 8th floor still carried the faint, pleasant scent from when Xie Bingran had stayed there.
And tomorrow morning, he’d see her again—exciting.
……
……
The next morning, before dawn, Xu Chen was up.
He had to be; the Louis Vuitton shoot started at 6:30, and he needed time to drive to Pudong.
But getting to see his Xie Bingran made it all worthwhile.
……
An hour later.
The shoot was near Pudong Airport, almost at the eastern edge of Shanghai, right by the sea.
Xu Chen arrived and realized it was an old industrial warehouse.
The production team had rented the whole place and built a full studio from scratch.
He parked in the lot and waited in his car for a bit.
Soon, a white van pulled in and stopped next to him.
Xu Chen rolled down his window and saw Xie Bingran, Director Li Yue, and Coach Liu Shengnan stepping out.
They had spotted him earlier and asked the driver to park there on purpose.
“Xu Chen! Long time no see!”
Director Li Yue greeted him first, all smiles and politeness.
Xu Chen got out, shook Li Yue’s hand, and nodded to Liu Shengnan.
He and Xie Bingran exchanged a quick glance and just smiled—no words needed.
To an outsider, they might seem like strangers.
Xie Bingran wore a black, long puffer coat with the collar flipped up, hiding her elegant neck and part of her refined chin.
Li Yue made a call, then led the group toward the studio.
A woman dressed in flashy colors and heavy makeup came to meet them.
Before Li Yue could introduce her, she jumped in:
“Just call me Apple! I’m the brand manager for Louis Vuitton.”
After brief introductions, Apple guided them inside.
Xu Chen was there as part of Xie Bingran’s team, not directly involved, so no big fuss.
As they walked, Apple chatted with Xie Bingran:
“The photographer today is Camille. She doesn’t speak Chinese, but don’t worry—there are two translators on site to help.”
“We need four sets of stills and behind-the-scenes: four outfits, four scenes.”
“Two in the morning, two in the afternoon.”
“The scenes are rainforest, desert, ancient ruins, and cyberpunk.”
“Morning: ancient ruins and desert; afternoon: rainforest and cyberpunk…”
Xu Chen listened quietly, impressed; building those scenes from nothing must have cost a fortune.
Louis Vuitton was throwing money around like it was nothing—total luxury brand vibes.
……
Once inside the first studio, even Xu Chen stared in awe at the setup.
The ‘ancient ruins’ scene was straight out of Tomb Raider.
It felt like stepping into a lost Mayan civilization or some otherworldly tribal city.
A dozen staff members bustled around—all foreigners, probably flown in from Paris, Louis Vuitton’s in-house artists.
A woman with black-framed glasses and golden hair approached, exchanged words with Apple, then took Xie Bingran away.
Apple turned to the others: “You can wait in the rest area; there are monitors to watch the live feed…”
It was clear they didn’t want the entourage disrupting the shoot.
……
The rest area was tucked behind the ‘ancient altar’ setup—a small rectangular room.
Inside, two large TVs showed real-time shots: one from the camera angle, one from the general view.
Two heaters hummed on the floor, keeping the space warm and cozy.
Apple added: “Stay here if you need; if anything comes up, Li Yue, use the walkie-talkie on the table—I’ll come right over.”
Li Yue: “Okay, thanks.”
……
Liu Shengnan: “This is incredible—like filming a blockbuster!”
Li Yue: “It is a blockbuster; Xie Bingran’s level is international star material!”
……
About half an hour later, Xie Bingran appeared on screen.
Surrounded by foreign artists, she stood in front of an ancient statue.
Camille stood out—tall, in boots and black skinny jeans, with a loose black jacket.
Her dark hair was tied up, revealing high cheekbones and deep-set eyes.
Xu Chen couldn’t help but think of Xie Bingran’s high school days as ‘Bing Ge.’
Her hair was slicked back, showing off her forehead—just like the cool, tough Bing Ge who used to smoke.
A staff member stepped forward and removed her outer puffer coat, revealing the first outfit.
Liu Shengnan blurted out: “Bing Ge looks so cool… straight out of Tomb Raider!”
Li Yue, knowing the details, explained: “Louis Vuitton’s pushing themes like adventure, passion, nature, and future. This ruins scene is for adventure…”
Liu Shengnan peered closer at the TV: “Is this menswear or womenswear?”
Li Yue scratched his head: “Probably unisex. Bing Ge pulls off anything, and these big brands love that androgynous style.”
Xu Chen stayed out of the chat, just watching Bing Ge on screen.
He thought to himself, once this ad drops, it’ll have fans like Su Rong swooning left and right.
……
The shoot for the first set was underway.
One TV showed the behind-the-scenes feed, capturing Bing Ge’s first-person view as she moved through the ruins under Camille’s direction.
The quality was movie-level, with realistic sets, smoke effects, and shifting lights.
Any frame from the screen could pass as a Hollywood hit.
Li Yue and Xu Chen watched and chatted lightly.
Li Yue remembered something and smiled at Xu Chen: “I haven’t properly thanked you for the Spring Festival Gala yet! We owe you big time.”
Xu Chen: “No need, Li Yue. Getting Bing Ge on the gala is a huge win—I had to support it.”
He checked the time: “It’s coming up soon… with rehearsals, right?”
Li Yue: “Yeah, we’re heading to Beijing tomorrow. Rehearsal starts at noon in the CCTV studio.”
Liu Shengnan: “Bing Ge’s status is top-tier—luxury shoots and the gala!”
Li Yue: “If you won an Asian Games gold, you could too!”
Liu Shengnan paused, then said: “Even if I did, I wouldn’t land a Louis Vuitton deal or the gala—I don’t look like Bing Ge.”
Li Yue: “Why not?”
Liu Shengnan: “Looks matter, and not every gold medalist blows up like her.”
She teased Li Yue: “What about Feng Youping? She’s got a gold too—why not a luxury gig for her?”
Li Yue hesitated, chuckling awkwardly, knowing she had a point.
Liu Shengnan suddenly turned to Xu Chen: “It’s Valentine’s Day today, you know…”
Xu Chen: “Yeah, I know.”
Liu Shengnan: “So, plans? It’s enviable.”
Li Yue added: “I’ve cleared it with the team; Bing Ge’s free tonight. Just get her to the airport tomorrow morning.”
Xu Chen: “Thanks, Li Yue.”
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