Chapter 186: Corporate Ambitions and Creative Strategies

Jinfeng Business Tower.

As evening drew near, a knock echoed from outside the office.

Fang Jun glanced up and headed to open the door.

When she returned, a slender young man in glasses followed her, looking under thirty, polished and refined.

Fang Jun said, “This is a colleague from the legal department, Si Daqing.”

Si Daqing had a square face and neatly combed hair. He greeted Xu Chen:

“Hello, Teacher Xu. President Xu asked me to find you…”

“There’s a contract he wants you to review.”

With that, he pulled a thick contract from his briefcase and handed it to Xu Chen.

Xu Chen glanced at it—it was the contract for introducing the production line.

“Just a moment, Teacher Si, I’ll take a quick look.”

Si Daqing replied, “Sure, I’ll wait. No rush.”

Xu Chen quickly scanned the contract and found no issues, then handed it back.

“When do we sign?” Xu Chen asked.

Fang Jun spoke up:

“Probably in the next couple of days, once we get word from President Xu.”

Xu Chen suddenly remembered something and said to Si Daqing:

“Teacher Si, I have some contracts and legal questions too. I’ll need your advice later!”

Si Daqing quickly responded:

“Teacher Xu, just reach out anytime you need help!”

Xu Chen smiled and said, “Then leave me your contact info. I might need you in a day or two.”

…

The next afternoon, Xu Zhiquan took Fang Jun and Si Daqing on a flight to Jiangsu Province to sign the contract.

If everything went smoothly, by August, Chenfeng Technology’s electric vehicle production line would be up and running.

Meanwhile, two other projects were moving forward.

First, the design work for Chenfeng Electric Vehicles’ debut product, ‘Chenfeng Ice Power’.

Yang Congxin had hired design firms in the provincial capital and Beijing, each developing their own plans.

Of course, the designs wouldn’t be wildly innovative—they’d build on a mature product the current production line could handle, just optimizing some design elements.

Second, procuring finished components like batteries and motors—Xu Zhiquan was negotiating with several domestic companies.

Xu Zhiquan had a knack for building connections. Even though the electric vehicle factory hadn’t officially started, he was already networking in the supply chain circles.

Next, after signing in Jiangsu Province, Xu Zhiquan would fly straight to Guangdong Province to check out batteries.

Additionally, in August, Xu Zhiquan had a trip planned to Beijing—he’d connected with scientists at the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Physics Institute about a competitive motor technology.

This lead came from Wu Yongming, so a visit was essential no matter what.

If this technology panned out and could be acquired, Chenfeng Technology’s first product might gain a unique edge in the market.

Of course, it was a long shot—Xu Zhiquan’s trip to the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing felt more like a gamble.

…

Starting a business was tough, and cash flow was a big pressure.

Even Chairman Xu Zhiquan flew economy class on his trips.

Seeing the boss work so hard motivated everyone in the factory, from top to bottom.

Whether it was revamping the old plant or building the new one, people threw themselves into the work with full energy.

Union Chairman Zhang Minen created some inspiring slogans and hung them around the factory, evoking a spirited vibe from a bygone era.

…

…

For Xie Bingran’s participation in the National Games, the city’s publicity department reached out to Xu Chen again about the promotional plan.

Director Feng Siliang even made a special trip to the Jinfeng Business Tower office, urging Xu Chen that it was time to present or they’d miss the deadline.

Last time, when Xie Bingran filmed the city’s promo video, Director Feng had handled it. He had a general idea of the connection between Xu Chen and Xie Bingran.

“Teacher Xu, you really need to present it now!”

“East Morning Star Advertising was recommended to us by Secretary Qu.”

“The leaders are taking it seriously and are eager for your plan.”

“Plus, none of the proposals from the provincial media companies have stood out yet, so they’re waiting on yours!”

Qu Fei was Wu Yongming’s secretary, and his recommendation meant the publicity department treated it with importance.

With Wu Yongming’s recent promotion, the leaders were probably even more attentive.

Xu Chen delayed a couple more days to polish the plan thoroughly.

He held off presenting early to avoid leaders nitpicking, and also because he had full confidence in his own idea.

From the moment he got the request, Xu Chen had sketched out a plan.

But then he thought twice—worried it might be too creative for the older leaders to buy into.

So, he added elements to the original plan that leaders couldn’t resist, making East Morning Star Advertising’s proposal irreplaceable.

For this presentation, Xu Chen was set on sealing the deal in one go.

…

That morning, Director Feng Siliang scheduled the meeting, and Xu Chen brought his laptop to present.

Li Rui drove Xu Chen to the city center, where Feng Siliang was already waiting downstairs.

Xu Chen followed Feng Siliang upstairs to a large conference room.

Stepping inside, he saw at least twenty or thirty people seated.

Feng Siliang pulled Xu Chen aside and introduced him to everyone in the room.

Besides a few directors and deputy directors from the city’s publicity department, there were leaders from the city TV station and two newspapers.

Xu Chen greeted them politely but confidently.

He handed out his business cards, holding them out with both hands as he met each one.

That ‘East Morning Star Advertising Creative Director’ card was printed back in Shanghai…

The leaders from the TV station and print media looked at Xu Chen with clear surprise.

They hadn’t expected Secretary Qu’s recommendation to be someone so young.

He barely looked twenty.

In their line of work, these middle-aged leaders preferred dealing with peers—conversations just clicked better.

But in a way, that preference led to their own conservatism and obsolescence.

It was one reason traditional media in the country faded against the rise of online platforms…

Facing the youthful Xu Chen, the TV and newspaper leaders weren’t sure how to approach him.

Deep down, some already underestimated the young man.

How could someone this age come up with a solid plan…

Yet, since he was Secretary Qu’s pick, no one dared ignore him.

Whispers spread—maybe this Xu Chen had some hidden ties to big leaders?

But the top leader was surnamed Wu, and no one heard of any Xu relatives…

The deputy director of the city TV station had a faint suspicion.

Once Xu Chen sat down, he murmured to those nearby:

“The leader’s daughter is around the same age. Maybe they’re an item?”

Others glanced at Xu Chen—handsome and sharp—and suddenly it made sense.

“Ah, that explains it…”

“His background must be something special too!”

“East Morning Star Advertising—isn’t that linked to the locally famous East Morning Star Group?”

Xu Chen was busy setting up his computer and projector, oblivious to their speculation.

…

A short while later, the conference room door opened.

A group entered, led by a cheerful leader who smiled as he walked in:

“Sorry to keep everyone waiting!”

Everyone stood up, and Feng Siliang quickly introduced Xu Chen.

“This is our city’s publicity department head, Secretary Xia Gang.”

“And this is Xu Chen, the creative director from East Morning Star Advertising.”

Xia Gang sized up Xu Chen with a smile:

“What a surprise…”

“No wonder Secretary Qu calls you ‘Teacher Xu’—he didn’t mention you were such a talented young mind!”

Xu Chen smiled back politely, keeping it simple.

Feng Siliang added:

“Teacher Xu, let’s start the presentation. The leader has another meeting soon.”

Xia Gang chuckled:

“I’m just here to listen. The main feedback will come from the experts.”

“By experts, I mean those from the TV station and media.”

But everyone knew the final say was the leader’s.

…

As Xia Gang sat in the middle with a friendly expression, waiting for the projection, he quietly said to Feng Siliang:

“He’s so young—didn’t you mention that?”

Feng Siliang felt a bit flustered— he’d hinted at it before, but now the leader acted unaware.

Still, he couldn’t complain and whispered back:

“Since it was Secretary Qu’s recommendation, we didn’t dig deeper.”

…

…

Xu Chen clicked his mouse, and the projector screen showed two lines:

[Genius Girl, Tiancheng’s Calling Card]

[From Tiancheng to the Nation, Let the Nation Know Tiancheng]

Secretary Xia Gang’s eyes swept over the lines, and his expression turned serious.

He opened his notebook and jotted down the phrases.

At the same time, the experts from the TV station and print media straightened up.

Xu Chen hadn’t said a word yet, but those two lines grabbed everyone’s attention, especially the leader’s.

They hit right at the heart of the promotional goal.

Xia Gang copied them because he thought they’d be perfect for next month’s report to the municipal committee—simple and spot-on, far better than those long-winded scripts from his secretary…

Xia Gang set down his pen, picked up Xu Chen’s business card, and studied it thoughtfully.

Xu Chen spoke steadily:

“Genius girl Xie Bingran, starting from her hometown Tiancheng to reach the nation, and making the nation aware of Tiancheng…”

“But we face two challenges:

“First, we can only use local Tiancheng media, so coverage is limited to residents here. That won’t introduce Tiancheng to the whole country…”

“Second, even if we could mobilize national media, bluntly pushing ‘Tiancheng is Xie Bingran’s hometown’ won’t mean much. There are many champions, each with a hometown.”

“The idea of ‘a champion’s hometown’ is good, but it doesn’t give Tiancheng an extra boost.”

The room fell silent as his words sank in, and the leaders looked even more focused.

Xu Chen paused deliberately to gauge the reaction.

Xia Gang put down his pen and said:

“Spot on!”

He turned to his team behind him—these were from the publicity department:

“Now do you see where your plans fell short, and those from the media companies?”

They looked embarrassed and listened intently.

Xia Gang continued, “What Teacher Xu just pointed out is the core issue. All your plans, and the media companies’, end up as stiff news releases or TV segments.”

“Promoting ‘Tiancheng is Xie Bingran’s hometown’ is fine, but it’s not enough!”

They nodded, some getting it, some not, but all paying attention.

Xia Gang smiled at Xu Chen and said, “Go on, Teacher Xu. I’m eager to hear more.”

Xu Chen nodded and continued smoothly:

“As Secretary Xia just highlighted, bluntly using media to push ‘Tiancheng is Xie Bingran’s hometown’ lacks impact.”

“We need to reframe it—express it with more emotion and heart, not just shout it through a megaphone.”

Xu Chen clicked the mouse, and the screen showed a passage:

[Xie Bingran, I Miss You in Tiancheng…]

[The Genius Girl Leaves Tiancheng to Compete Far Away… Does She Miss Home?]

[Tiancheng’s Loved Ones Cheer from Afar… Those Who Care for Her Are Thinking of Her.]

Xu Chen explained:

“Instead of forcing ‘Tiancheng is Xie Bingran’s hometown,’ let’s show her longing for home.”

“Instead of declaring ‘Xie Bingran is Tiancheng’s calling card,’ let’s capture how the hometown cherishes her…”

“Our city’s publicity department has budgeted for this promotion. Instead of buying news slots or ad space, let’s have the people who miss Xie Bingran go to the competition and cheer for her…”

“Let those who long for her travel miles to see her…”

“This is the first part of the plan: ‘Tiancheng Support Group’ journeys far to cheer for Xie Bingran…”

“Real emotions and care carry more power than any scripted news. Their story will create heartfelt moments that spread farther than thousands of articles.”

“Let the nation see how Xie Bingran and her hometown Tiancheng love each other—how her family and friends, the ones she misses, have always supported her from afar.”

…

The conference room stayed quiet.

Secretary Xia Gang frowned for a moment, then smiled and started clapping.

The others joined in, their expressions touched.

…

Xu Chen waited for the applause to fade.

Presentations were about persuading the audience, so he added some emotional flair.

Stripping away the dramatic touches, his core message came from genuine feeling.

When Xu Chen first got this publicity task, it reminded him of the days after the college entrance exams.

Back then, Xie Bingran returned to school for graduation, and Li Rui drove Xu Chen and Bing Ge to the First High School gate.

The whole ride, Li Rui was silent.

As they got out, Li Rui hesitated before sighing and saying to Xie Bingran,

“Bing Ge, the guys really miss you…”

Xie Bingran didn’t reply, just patted Li Rui’s shoulder and lit a cigarette for him.

…”