Chapter 203: Whispers of Ambition and Triumph
by xennovelXu Zhiquan thought it over for a moment and then said:
“He’s a solid choice… He’s already involved in distribution networks, right?”
Xu Chen: “He started in sales and hustled in Beijing and Shanghai for a few years. Then, when his family elder fell seriously ill, he headed back to Shandong Province to build a local dealership.”
Recently, over the past year, he’s been building distribution channels from scratch in Tiancheng…”
“He’s got a handle on sales, channels, and regional distribution… That’s rare these days.”
Xu Zhiquan chuckled and picked up the beer bottle, pouring half a glass for Xu Chen.
Yang Congxin: “From what I just heard, he’s in the medical field, right? Probably hasn’t sold electric vehicles before.”
Xu Zhiquan said:
“In all of Tiancheng, it’s tough to find someone who’s specifically handled electric vehicle distribution.”
Unless we head to the Provincial Capital or Jiangsu Province and poach a rival’s local team, but we’re just starting out—they might not want to join.”
Xu Chen added: “Sales, channels, distribution—the core approaches are similar. Plus, we’re building from the ground up.”
There’s some challenge, but it all comes down to the person’s ability.”
“We’re diving into electric vehicles as outsiders ourselves.”
“History often moves forward thanks to outsiders pushing the wheel…”
Yang Congxin adjusted his black-framed glasses and nodded seriously.
Xu Zhiquan took a drag from his cigarette and said to Xu Chen:
“Teacher Xu, why don’t you set up a meeting for me?”
He paused, then continued:
“But he’s the local distribution head for that pharmaceutical group, so his salary is probably pretty high.”
“Right now, I might not be able to offer him a top-tier wage.”
Xu Chen: “I’ll find the right time and see how to bring it up. Our company’s future is clear as day, and Guo Liang’s a sharp guy—he’ll get it in a flash.”
The only thing is, you’ll need to judge his character, President Xu.”
Xu Zhiquan smiled: “No problem, let’s just chat and get to know him first.”
……
……
Xu Chen and Fang Jun’s rooms were right across from each other.
Fang Jun grabbed a beer bottle and walked to the door, turning back to Xu Chen:
“I don’t have Bing Ge’s phone number… I need to tell her my room number.”
Xu Chen: “I’ll give it to you now.”
As he spoke, Xu Chen pulled out his mobile phone.
Fang Jun held the beer bottle in one hand and typed Bing Ge’s number into his phone with the other, his usually expressionless face lighting up with a hint of excitement.
Xu Chen frowned: “What’s with that lovesick look on your face?”
Fang Jun: “Huh? Oh, well, Bing Ge and I will definitely sleep in separate beds!”
Xu Chen: “When did I even ask about the beds?”
Fang Jun thought for a second: “If you came over, we really wouldn’t have room…”
Xu Chen: “??!”
……
……
Back in his own room, Xu Chen took a quick shower first.
He’d been out and about all day in Yangcheng’s sweltering heat, sweating buckets.
After washing up and changing into clean clothes, he felt refreshed inside and out.
He casually turned on the TV, and there was CCTV Channel 5 broadcasting a special on the National Games.
He watched for a bit and, as expected, spotted Bing Ge.
The two hosts were discussing the women’s 100-meter hurdles final from earlier:
“A record that’s been untouched since 1993—13 years strong—was shattered today by a 17-year-old from Shandong Province. That’s a highlight of this National Games…”
“This dark horse came out of nowhere, especially with former Asian Games gold medalist Feng Youping and the favorite Chen Lan in the mix…”
“For the next Asian Games, besides Chen Lan, we’ve got another strong contender for gold!”
“As long as no dark horses emerge from other Asian countries in the next six months, that gold is practically ours…”
“Xie Bingran is only 17, and by the 2008 Olympics, she’ll be just 19 or 20—her future’s wide open!”
“After her win today, this dark horse Xie Bingran has sparked a buzz online. Fans are joking that if she wasn’t an athlete, she could debut as a star…”
On the TV screen right then, they showed a slow-motion close-up of Xie Bingran.
After her victory, she scanned the stands with a cold, sharp gaze.
Xu Chen couldn’t help but smile and say:
“Bing Ge really is stunning…”
……
……
In Tiancheng.
Principal Huang Hua sat in front of the TV, watching the replay of the women’s 100-meter hurdles while sipping a couple of shots.
A bit tipsy, the old principal suddenly felt irritated and picked up the phone to call the current Principal Yang at First High School:
“How are you running that school?!”
“We almost let a talent like that slip through our fingers right before high school graduation! If we’d missed her by another three months, it’d be a huge loss for First High School and the whole Tiancheng sports scene!”
“Principal Yang, you need to reflect on this seriously!”
……
At Feng Wenjiang’s home, the town mayor.
Feng Qingqing stared at the TV, lost in thought.
She pursed her lips, showing a mix of surprise and deflation:
“Not only is she gorgeous, but she’s also a national champion…”
Feng Wenjiang walked over and said seriously to comfort her:
“And she’s 5’8″, half a head taller than you.”
Feng Qingqing: “Do you even know how to talk?!”
Feng Wenjiang patted Feng Qingqing’s head with a gentle, reassuring smile:
“I heard she’s heading to Huahai Normal University—that’s a top school in Shanghai!”
“!!”
……
In South River Village, Xie Bingran’s hometown.
That afternoon, the Village Committee received a notice from the town.
The balding Village Chief only then learned that the girl from the Xie family had achieved something extraordinary outside.
He gathered a few committee members to clean up the Xie family home and hung up red decorations.
As night fell, the committee used the village’s loudspeakers to read out a news report on Xie Bingran’s victory, going through it twice.
This front-page article from the Tiancheng Evening News, over 3,000 words long, had been reviewed by Xu Chen earlier that day.
“Wow, that girl from the Xie family is a big shot now!”
“Did you hear the Village Chief say the mayor’s giving her an award certificate!”
……
……
In the hotel room at Tianhe Tower.
Xu Chen opened his laptop and connected to the internet.
As soon as he logged into MSN, he saw a few messages from Li Fengfeng at Black Duke Marketing.
There were some minor tweaks to the execution plans that Li Fengfeng sent for confirmation.
Xu Chen glanced over them—nothing major—so he replied with approval.
[Teacher Xu, I’ll have a car pick you up for the studio tomorrow morning. Which hotel are you staying at?]
[Sports West, Tianhe Tower.]
[Got it! Sorry to pull you out early, Teacher Xu—there’s a lot to check on set.]
[No problem, what time?]
[9:30, the car will be downstairs at your hotel.]
[OK, see you tomorrow morning.]
[Great, see you tomorrow, Teacher Xu!]
……
Xu Chen closed the laptop and shook his head with a smile.
He never imagined Li Fengfeng would treat him with such deference.
In his past life, as Li Fengfeng’s subordinate fresh out of the gate, Xu Chen had been bossed around constantly.
He vaguely remembered a colleague once saying that Li Fengfeng took out all the frustration from clients and bosses on his team.
Thinking about it, Xu Chen felt a pang of sympathy for Li Fengfeng’s current subordinates.
Xu Chen suddenly furrowed his brow…
He wondered if Li Fengfeng’s subordinates now were the same ones from his past life.
He reopened the computer and logged back into MSN.
Glancing at the project group’s member list, he spotted two familiar names.
Sun Aimi, a designer.
When Xu Chen joined Black Duke Marketing in his past life, Sun Aimi was already a senior design lead. By the time he left, she’d risen to creative director young.
Surprisingly, in 2006, she was reporting to Li Fengfeng—it seemed she escaped that grind in the following years…
Xu Chen recalled Sun Aimi as a talented young designer; Black Duke Marketing snagged a couple of national ad awards later, thanks to her work.
Besides Sun Aimi, there was Chen Xiaolong, a guy who handled client accounts—Xu Chen had a vague memory of him, though he quit soon after Xu Chen started, so not much overlap.
Xu Chen thought back a bit; during the pitch in Shanghai before, he’d caught a glimpse of Li Fengfeng and his team in the client’s building cafe.
But Sun Aimi and Chen Xiaolong weren’t there.
Maybe there were team shake-ups in the last few months, and Sun Aimi and Chen Xiaolong got ‘unlucky’ and landed with Li Fengfeng.
……
Xu Chen looked at Sun Aimi’s profile and wondered if he should keep an eye on her.
He planned to move East Morning Star Advertising to Shanghai later and would need to hire for projects.
He could handle strategy and creativity himself, but executing projects required a solid designer.
Based on his past life knowledge, Sun Aimi’s skills were top-notch—she’d climbed to creative director and won national ad awards.
Snagging her now while she’s still early in her career and nurturing her at East Morning Star Advertising could be a smart move.
Plus, with Chenfeng Electric Vehicles taking off, they’d need design help, and Sun Aimi might pitch in big time.
Xu Chen smiled…
An unexpected bonus.
……
A sudden knock echoed at the door.
“Coming, just a second.”
He got up and opened it to find Xie Bingran standing there.
Xu Chen smiled: “Fang Jun’s room is across the hall if you want to crash there.”
Xie Bingran: “Oh, I already stopped by her room.”
She peeked her head in, glancing around Xu Chen’s room.
Xu Chen looked back and said with a grin:
“What are you looking for? No one’s here but me.”
Xie Bingran: “I just wanted to hang out with you for a bit.”
Xu Chen: “Let me grab you a drink then!”
Xie Bingran: “Sure.”
They stepped into the room.
Xie Bingran looked around and sat on the edge of the bed.
Xu Chen checked the mini-fridge and pulled out a bottle of orange juice:
“This is probably the only thing you’d like—pure orange juice.”
Xie Bingran said “oh” and took it.
She twisted it open, took a sip, then glanced around again and whispered:
“You’ve got two beds here too…”
Xu Chen: “Ah?”
“”