Chapter 494: Threads of Ambition

Thursday.

During the morning break, Xu Chen messaged Class Monitor Min Siyang privately, of course asking for leave again.

Min Siyang replied: “What’s going on with you and Su Rong? You’re always taking leave together?”

Something’s off…”

Xu Chen felt a bit speechless. There wasn’t much to hide, so he replied openly:

“Su Rong’s interning at our company, and we have a project that needs us both on a business trip.”

Min Siyang: “Does your company hire interns? I’d love to learn there too.”

Xu Chen hesitated a moment, then politely put her off for now:

“It’s an honor that you’re interested, Class Monitor.

But I’m not sure about that—I’d have to check with HR first…”

Min Siyang was a sharp and tactful girl; she didn’t push further and just sent a cute emoji.

…

During the break, Xu Chen’s QQ got a friend request.

[Jin Yuelan, College Student Union Chair…]

Xu Chen paused, wondering why the Student Union Chair wanted to connect.

He knew this senior, Jin Yuelan; she’d given a speech at last semester’s freshman welcome event.

She was in her third year, studying broadcast television directing.

Xu Chen accepted the request and politely greeted her: “Hello, Senior.”

Jin Yuelan quickly responded:

“Hello, Xu Chen! Here’s the thing…

Our College Student Union is about to hold elections.

The current team discussed candidates, and we all want to invite you to run.

You won several ad awards last year, so you have high prestige among students.”

If you run for a position, you’ll get a lot of support…”

Xu Chen frowned, thinking, “Why is this hassle coming my way?”

He had no interest in getting involved.

His company’s real moneymaking projects kept him swamped; he had no time for childish student union stuff.

As he pondered how to decline, Jin Yuelan added:

“As for the position, you can choose whatever you like, Xu Chen.

I personally suggest going for Student Union Chair or Academic Department Head.

I’m starting an off-campus internship this semester, like the current Academic Department Head Zhao Siting, so we’re stepping back.

We think you could handle Chair or Head just fine!

With your ad company, your management, professional skills, and industry connections are impressive. You have real clout among students…”

Xu Chen thought it over and replied straight up:

“Thanks so much for the recognition from you and the union.

I’d love to contribute more to the college, but my company’s packed with work. I just can’t commit the time!”

Jin Yuelan sent a few more messages, politely trying to convince him.

Xu Chen responded with light laughs and emojis, staying polite but firm in his refusal.

No point hesitating; as Young Xu, he was swamped.

He had no use for the student union’s so-called networks and resources.

After going back and forth, he still said no.

Jin Yuelan seemed reluctant to give up and shared the election details:

“If you change your mind, Xu Chen, just reach out anytime!”

“Okay, thanks, Senior…”

…

Lunchtime, in the cafeteria.

Xu Chen sat with his roommates, while Jiang Zhe’s Little Prince, Qian Xin, fiddled with his iPhone and boasted:

“I’m now the second in our class to get an iPhone, right after Boss Xu!”

Xu Chen rolled his eyes and said:

“Actually, you’re the third.”

Qian Xin: “Huh?”

Xu Chen: “Su Rong’s the second.”

Qian Xin: “Oh…”

Pei Qian teased, “You’re the second guy, at least.”

Qian Xin just chuckled and happily scrolled his phone:

“This big touchscreen is amazing for messaging and browsing!

The build quality blows those clunky Symbian phones out of the water.”

He looked so smug it was annoying.

The others decided to ignore him.

Huang Hao munched on a chicken leg and said:

“I’ve noticed that Chen Wenyi, Jiao Tianbo, and Huo Dashan—those three—we hardly ever see them around.”

The group thought about it and realized he was right.

Pei Qian shrugged, “They’re probably just busy.”

Huang Hao: “Busier than Boss Xu? They’re not running companies.”

Hong Xiaoqiang joked, “Jiao Tianbo looks down on us slackers; he’s always buried in the library.

Chen Wenyi thinks we’re common folk; he’s strumming his guitar and writing songs all the time, all artsy…”

He grinned, “What about your roommate Huo Dashan? What’s he up to daily?”

Pei Qian: “He’s obsessed with getting into the student union…

He got knocked out in the school elections twice.

Now with the college union changing hands, he’s networking nonstop.

The guy’s flat out…”

Xu Chen stayed quiet, but inside he felt a wave of secondhand embarrassment.

If Huo Dashan knew Xu Chen had gotten a personal invite from the union chair, he’d probably be green with envy.

…

Qian Xin scrolled his phone and brought up Xie Bingran’s competition at the end of the month.

He filled everyone in on how big it was, with top hurdlers from around the world.

Pei Qian asked, “Why’s there no buzz in the college group? Isn’t Bai Miao competing?”

As Bai Miao’s fan, Huang Hao said with a sigh:

“Bai Miao’s track times aren’t up to this level.”

“…”

Qian Xin: “Only two from China are in it—the Asian Games gold and silver medalists, Xie Bingran and Chen Lan.”

Pei Qian: “Qian, are you flying to Switzerland for it? Bring back some chocolate!”

Qian Xin sighed:

“Can’t afford the flight and hotel.”

Pei Qian grinned, “Wait, Qian the boss is short on cash?”

Qian Xin: “I blew too much last semester; my dad’s capping my allowance now.

Trips abroad are off the table.”

He glanced at Xu Chen enviously: “I envy you, Boss Xu, with your own company to make and spend money.”

Xu Chen humbly replied, trying to ease things: “But I’m swamped too—no free time, often working late and crashing at the office.”

Pei Qian: “We’d kill to be that busy! If I earned like you, I’d never sleep.”

“…”

…

…

After evening classes, Xu Chen grabbed Su Rong and headed out for the trip.

He walked her back to the dormitory first; she quickly grabbed her packed suitcase.

Xu Chen gentlemanly took the case and noticed she’d switched to a pair of Ran Bing 001 shoes.

She beamed, “Looking good?”

“Absolutely!”

They met Gu Xinxi and Sun Aimi downstairs at the company, then hit the road.

Xu Chen started the engine, and the three girls settled in the back.

Su Rong sat in the middle, buzzing with excitement about the trip.

She glanced left and right at Gu Xinxi and Sun Aimi, both glued to their phones handling work.

The presentation was set for afternoon tomorrow, but they’d flown out a day early to avoid rushing and get a good rest.

…

They landed at Pengcheng Airport around eight or nine at night.

Stepping out, a warm, humid breeze hit them.

By late April, Pengcheng was much hotter than Shanghai.

They all shed their jackets, either carrying them or tying them around their waists.

One moment in class and the cafeteria, the next on a South China business trip—it left Xu Chen feeling disconnected.

…

This client wasn’t as flashy as Vanke, so no fancy car pickup.

They hailed a taxi at the airport and headed to Nanshan District in the city center.

As the taxi merged onto the highway, Xu Chen gazed out the window at Pengcheng’s stunning lights and nightlife.

He remembered Xie Bingran’s awe last year when they visited—how vibrant and urban it felt.

Thinking of her made him crave the coconut chicken they’d shared.

He turned to the girls in the back: “Let’s hit up some coconut chicken tonight!”

Foodie Su Rong jumped in eagerly: “Yes! Let’s do it!”

…

“Xi Zhilang’s” headquarters is in Nanshan District.

It wasn’t always a hotspot, but Tencent’s rise boosted the whole internet scene, making it the priciest and busiest area.

“Xi Zhilang’s” office was low-key, just floors six through eight in a regular building.

That evening, Xu Chen’s group scouted the place first, then checked into a nearby hotel and went out for food…

As the sweet coconut chicken went down, Xu Chen couldn’t help thinking of the little foodie Xie Bingran.

Last time at that spot near Vanke Center in Dapeng Bay, she’d loved it, munching away with her soft lips.

Shanghai didn’t have decent coconut chicken spots, but it was easy enough to make— just grab some coconuts and cook at home.

Right then, Su Rong was eating happily, her cheeks puffed like a little hamster.

Sun Aimi and Gu Xinxi ate while tweaking the presentation on their laptops.

The plan was solid; Xu Chen hadn’t suggested more changes earlier, but these two were perfectionists, refining the PPT on their own.

He’d tried to stop them, but Sun Aimi had said pitifully:

“The ideas are all yours, Boss; we feel bad enough as is.

At least let us nail the presentation slides!”

Xu Chen recalled his past subordinates and thought, where else would you find such dedicated people?

Reborn and meeting these allies—Sun Aimi, Gu Xinxi, Nie Fei, Fang Jun, Guo Liang…

He felt incredibly grateful for them all.

…

The next day, Xu Chen slept in until almost noon.

He lazily got up, freshened up, and brewed coffee in his room before dressing and heading out.

In the restaurant, the three girls were just arriving for lunch too.

From their chatter, he learned they’d been out early hunting for local eats.

Xu Chen shook his head: “Pengcheng’s a melting pot of immigrants; what’s really ‘local’ here?”

Su Rong sighed: “We didn’t know…

We wandered around and ended up with some not-so-authentic rice noodles.”

“…”

…

“Xi Zhilang’s” HQ was a short walk from the hotel.

Floors seven to nine in a shiny office building on Yuhai Street.

Xu Chen remembered news from the future about the “Xi Zhilang Tower”; it probably wasn’t built yet.

Minutes later, they met the marketing manager Zheng Wan at the seventh-floor reception.

Zheng Wan was as warm and approachable as her name suggested, with a gentle voice.

“Our Director Lily is still in a meeting, so I’ll show you around first, Young Xu.”

Lily referred to the marketing director Kuang Lili, who’s leading the You Le Mei project.

They followed Zheng Wan through the spacious seventh-floor office.

Past the reception was a display of company culture and honors; she gave them the rundown.

It covered how “Xi Zhilang’s” founder Li Yongjun built the world’s top jelly brand from scratch.

Besides jelly, they had the “Beautiful Times” seaweed line.

The group mainly relied on these two for now.

The exhibit didn’t mention You Le Mei yet, but Zheng Wan noted:

“You Le Mei’s our key strategy this year, personally planned by Chairman Li Yongjun.

It’s the third major line after jelly and seaweed.”

Xu Chen nodded with a smile: “We’ve put a lot into our proposal; hope it helps your strategy.”

Zheng Wan remembered something and said apologetically:

“Chairman Li was supposed to join today’s meeting, but his daughter flew in from Hong Kong— she’s in high school there, so it’s rare.

He has to spend time with her…”

She paused: “We’ll meet with Director Lily instead; she’ll update him on the proposal.

East Morning Star Advertising was specifically invited by Li, so he’ll review it carefully—no worries.”

“Sounds good.”

Xu Chen felt a twinge of concern; not talking directly to the big boss might miss some nuances.

Mainly, he worried Kuang Lili might not pitch his ideas perfectly.

But the PPT was thorough; the boss could grasp it from the text alone.

…

…

…”