Chapter 125: Evening at the Jiangnan Restaurant

Evening at the “Jiangnan of the North” restaurant in Shanghai.

Fang Jun went to order dishes while Xu Chen sat alone at the table, sipping tea.

He scrolled through news on his phone, his attention fixed on the ongoing National Youth Athletics Championships.

This competition was being held in Shanghai, with local Oriental TV, Five Star Sports and all major print and radio outlets providing intensive coverage.

Although it didn’t rival the National Games or Asian Games in attention, it was still a nationwide event—and with a local Shanghai team participating, it attracted plenty of eyes.

Media outlets in Shanghai focused naturally on their hometown athletes, most of whom were university students.

The National Youth Athletics Championships target athletes aged 16 to 19; many track and field stars first made their mark here.

This event also served as a qualifier for the World U20 Championships—winners here could earn a shot on the international stage.

Every year, national team coaches attend the meet, scouting promising “seedlings” and recruiting them on the spot.

In past years, several national U20 champions joined the national team this way.

And the training resources and competition opportunities the national team offers far surpass those of provincial teams, city squads or sports universities…

For that reason, every competitor took the meet extremely seriously. Anyone who shone over these few days stood a chance of direct national team selection…

Xu Chen had confirmed with Teacher Chen Ming that Xie Bingran was only competing in the women’s 100m hurdles at 10:35 tomorrow morning.

Chen Ming had already reserved tickets for Xu Chen…

This afternoon’s pitch with Renhe Pharmaceuticals had ended; Vice President Lu Wenhua had wanted to invite “Teacher Xu” to dinner, but Xu Chen, craving some peace, declined, saying he had dinner plans tonight with Teacher Yu…

His phone buzzed. Xu Chen glanced at the screen: a message from his father, Xu Zhiquan:

【Son, Fang Jun just texted me to say she’s agreed to join our company…】

Xu Chen frowned for a moment, then smiled.

Fang Jun hadn’t told Xu Chen directly; she’d informed his father with a text instead.

It had been a bit of a process, but they’d ultimately secured this “hidden treasure” in Fang Jun.

This was crucial for the Xu family’s business.

Fang Jun’s understanding of the Mechanical Factory’s operations and finances would greatly aid its acquisition.

And as Xu Zhiquan had mentioned earlier, her mysterious family background might provide unforeseen help at key moments…

Soon, Fang Jun returned.

Xu Chen smiled and refilled her cup with warm tea.

Fang Jun kept her expression neutral. She raised the cup and nodded toward Xu Chen.

“Congratulations on winning the pitch today.”

Xu Chen laughed and clinked cups with her.

“My dad just messaged—he says you’re joining East Morning Star.”

Fang Jun: “I stand by my word. Since you wagered your pitch project…you won, so I intend to honor our deal.”

Xu Chen poured her another cup of tea and spoke slowly:

“Don’t worry, Teacher Fang. You won’t regret joining East Morning Star. There may even be surprises waiting for you.”

“Oh? Can you give me a preview?”

Xu Chen: “I can—but you’ll need to sign a confidentiality agreement first.”

Fang Jun: “You’re not joking…?”

Xu Chen: “I’m not joking.”

With that, he pulled two copies of the confidentiality agreement from his backpack.

He’d printed them last night while getting business cards made.

Fang Jun: “…”

Xu Chen spoke earnestly:

“Whether you join East Morning Star should be your choice.

Leaving it to the outcome of my pitch was a bit hasty.

It essentially placed your future in my hands.

That isn’t right…”

Fang Jun: “I already agreed—are you trying to stop me?”

Xu Chen: “Of course not…

I just hope your decision to join East Morning Star comes from your heart, not from a wager.”

He set the two agreements and a pen in front of her.

Fang Jun flipped through them, forced a small smile, then signed her name.

Xu Chen took one copy for himself and handed the other back to her.

He sipped his tea before continuing:

“You graduated from the University of Finance—you were underutilized at the Mechanical Factory.

Though it’s a decades-old state enterprise, it’s just a small factory in Tiancheng—and it’s had its issues.

Your major had no real place there…

With your family’s backing and potential connections, you deserve a better company and a better role!”

Fang Jun fell silent but looked slightly moved.

Xu Chen: “I imagine your parents could introduce you to large firms and institutions….”

Fang Jun: “But they only want me to stay in Tiancheng, not move elsewhere.”

Xu Chen nodded, thinking “So that’s why.”

He went on:

“Tiancheng really doesn’t have many suitable companies.

My dad’s Seedling Company can’t match your talents.

And right now East Morning Star Co. isn’t either.”

Fang Jun said nothing, taking a sip of tea.

Xu Chen continued:

“But the future East Morning Star Co., and East Morning Star Group down the road, will deserve you.

If you want to achieve great things without relying on your parents, the future East Morning Star can help you get there.

On the condition that you and East Morning Star grow together.

You’ll need to keep developing too…”

Fang Jun furrowed her brow: “For example?”

Xu Chen: “For instance, investment, financing, mergers and acquisitions…”

Fang Jun paused, then asked:

“What exactly are you planning?”

Xu Chen laughed and refilled her cup again.

Under the dim lights of the Shanghai restaurant, Xu Chen and Fang Jun downed a pot of flower tea as they discussed the future.

They talked about the Mechanical Factory, Chenfeng Technology, East Morning Star Co. and East Morning Star Group…

Before Fang Jun joined, she needed to understand all this.

And with the factory acquisition about to begin, Teacher Fang needed to get in early.

Signing the confidentiality agreement added a legal layer of security so he could brief her right away.

They talked so earnestly that their dishes went cold.

…

At one point, Fang Jun suddenly smiled and said:

“I just realized something.”

Xu Chen: “What is it?”

Fang Jun: “When President Xu interviewed me he asked so many professional questions it made me think he underestimated his own company…

I figured he must have experts advising him behind the scenes.

But I never expected the real expert behind him would be you—a son of eighteen!”

Xu Chen laughed:

“I call him Dad; he calls me Teacher.

Sometimes we each stick to our own fields…”

Fang Jun looked out at the city lights, a trace of wistfulness in her eyes:

“I envy the relationship between you and your father…”

She paused, then added:

“But who’s the expert behind you?”

Xu Chen: “What do you mean?”

Fang Jun: “Your achievements—your knowledge, eloquence, handling of matters, EQ, vision…

These aren’t traits an eighteen-year-old should possess.

So…who’s the expert behind you?”

Xu Chen smiled without answering and refilled her cup once more.

The real expert behind him was, of course, himself reborn into youth.

…

…

With the pitch completely settled,

Renhe Pharmaceuticals still had some internal processes to complete, and Fang Jun was coordinating the contracts.

On Xu Chen’s side, he needed to draft a more detailed strategy document and an advertising plan—once submitted, he’d receive 1.2 million RMB in three installments.

Looking back, it really was a highly profitable deal, though it had drained his brain cells.

Black Duke Marketing, originally all but guaranteed to win, must be baffled now.

From this afternoon’s meeting, Renhe had planned to award them the contract before Xu Chen swooped in.

Chubby Li Fengfeng missed another shot at promotion to director.

It was a pity there wasn’t a big pit to send him into this time.

But there would be plenty more opportunities in this circle down the road.

As for the Shengshi Great Wall project, Lu Wenhua wasn’t naive—he saw through the “high-end” proposal that couldn’t directly drive sales.

…

After dinner, Xu Chen said he wanted to stroll alone, so Fang Jun returned to the hotel.

Xu Chen headed to a mall on Huaihai Road to pick out a watch for Xu Zhiquan.

With his business growing, President Xu needed a better timepiece.

After browsing, Xu Chen chose a model from Citizen’s Eco-Drive series.

He vaguely remembered this was a favorite of Li Ka-shing.

Its understated, practical design exuded steady confidence—fitting for President Xu’s image.

At a price of a few thousand yuan, it wasn’t overly expensive…

Xu Chen wandered again and stopped at the Casio counter.

“Sir, may I help you?”

“A sports watch.”

“This is our new G series, just released…”

Xu Chen took a look and bought an all-black G-Shock.

It was a gift for Bing Ge’s upcoming victory.

Although the results wouldn’t be out until tomorrow, Xu Chen never doubted Bing Ge’s talent.

Passing the Zippo counter on his way out, Xu Chen bought a lighter as a gift for Li Rui.

Li Rui had helped immensely lately.

Besides, he drove Xu Zhiquan around and ensured President Xu’s safety.

In a sense, Brother Rui also safeguarded old Xu’s life and fortune.

Fortunately, Li Rui was loyal and trustworthy.

…

Back at the hotel that night, Xu Chen changed and washed up while news played on TV.

A report caught his ear and he moved closer to the TV.

Five Star Sports was previewing tomorrow’s women’s 100m hurdles favorite for the title.