Chapter 237: Evening Revelations and Deals

Around nine at night, the alcohol’s effects had faded a bit, so they prepared to wrap up the gathering.

Xu Chen and Li Rui helped Xu Zhiquan and Feng Wenjiang into the car and headed toward the town.

Fang Jun was still deep in his drunken haze, clinging to Wu Yue’s arm and belting out songs.

Wu Yue looked exasperated as she dragged Fang Jun into the car, a white two-box Chery Fengyun.

In recent years, this Fengyun model, priced around fifty to sixty thousand yuan, had helped Chery break into the mainstream domestic sedan market.

Xu Chen returned to the table and glanced at Wu Feifei and Huang Qianqian.

Both had flushed faces but seemed fairly sober.

“Let’s head out and get you two young ladies home.”

Wu Feifei responded with a mumble, her words already slurring a little.

“You two wait here. I’ll go move the car over.”

In no time, Xu Chen pulled up in the Magotan, parked it, got out, and opened the back door.

The two young women stumbled a bit as they walked and climbed into the car.

Xu Chen stopped by a nearby store, bought two boxes of fresh milk, then returned to the car and handed them to the back seat.

Huang Qianqian was in better shape and gave their addresses.

Xu Chen released the handbrake and drove off.

Wu Feifei and Huang Qianqian lived nearby, both in the city center.

Wu Feifei slurred her words as she said to Huang Qianqian:

“Why don’t you crash at my place tonight? My parents aren’t home!”

Huang Qianqian thought for a moment, then excitedly replied:

“Sure! I’ll text my mom about it!”

Wu Feifei pulled out her phone:

“I’ll message your mom too, so she doesn’t doubt you.”

Huang Qianqian: “That’s perfect!”

Xu Chen gripped the steering wheel and stayed quiet, thinking this would make things easier—he’d only need one drop-off.

Huang Qianqian looked toward Xu Chen in the front and suddenly said:

“Xu Chen, I really envy how you get along with your dad!”

Xu Chen: “What’s there to envy?”

Huang Qianqian: “You guys interact like friends more than father and son.”

Xu Chen smiled: “Maybe because my dad’s pretty open-minded.”

He suddenly recalled that Fang Jun had said something similar before.

Wu Feifei, half-asleep, suddenly slurred:

“Xu Chen, are you with Bing Ge?

If not, I’m going after him!”

Huang Qianqian: “??”

Xu Chen: “……”

Ten minutes later, the car entered a certain large compound in the city center.

From outside, the courtyard looked unassuming, but once inside, it was shaded by thick greenery with wide, smooth roads and patrolling security guards.

Xu Chen got out of the driver’s seat and opened the back door for them.

The two women stepped out, seeming steady on their feet.

Wu Feifei showed her carefree side, patting Xu Chen on the shoulder:

“Bye, Xu! Had a blast in Yangcheng with you!”

She wobbled a bit, and Huang Qianqian quickly steadied her.

Xu Chen watched them head upstairs before getting back in the car and driving off.

He didn’t drive back to the town but went to the JinFeng Business Tower office to spend the night.

In the morning, he needed to return the rented car and meet Chen Dahai for a meal.

He’d already checked in with his father Xu Zhiquan—heading home tomorrow afternoon.

Ten minutes later, Xu Chen arrived at the office.

Without a bathroom, he just did a quick wash-up.

Yawning, he went to the resting room where the wolf dog plush toy sat on the bed.

Xu Chen couldn’t help but smile, hugged the big dog to his chest, and settled comfortably on the bed.

Though the plush was great for cuddling, it wasn’t quite like hugging Bing Ge for real.

The next day, he slept in until after nine and got up.

He grabbed some fruit from the fridge, washed it, and ate while his phone suddenly vibrated.

Xu Chen picked it up and saw it was Gu Xinxi calling.

“Xu Chen, we’ve thoroughly reviewed Black Duke Marketing’s billing…

That Aikela Cultural Communications is actually Li Fengfeng’s own company.

Plus, in our previous projects with Black Duke, Li Fengfeng siphoned off funds through Aikela.”

Xu Chen stayed silent, not surprised at all.

About that, he expected it.

“We’ve had industry experts check it out—Aikela’s quotes were inflated from the start.

Even without the shoddy materials, the overpricing says it all.”

Xu Chen didn’t comment, just acknowledged and waited for her to continue.

Gu Xinxi detailed a few project issues—they had solid evidence, and things were clear.

Li Fengfeng set up a shell company and, through subcontracting in the ads he managed, pocketed some of the fees.

Renhe Pharmaceuticals and Black Duke had worked on four or five projects, mostly led by Li Fengfeng.

Three of them showed Li Fengfeng’s shady dealings.

Gu Xinxi paused briefly before adding:

“Our boss Lu is furious and called Black Duke’s owner for a serious talk…”

Xu Chen hesitated:

“And then?”

Gu Xinxi: “That’s why I’m calling you…

Black Duke’s response was vague and evasive; they’re not handling it right away.

This made Lu even angrier.

We’re drafting a formal communication and considering legal action.”

Xu Chen frowned, caught off guard:

“Who did Lu contact at Black Duke?”

Gu Xinxi: “Their general manager, Wang Longchao.

We’re wondering if he’s involved.

But that’s odd—he’s the GM; he wouldn’t risk it for small gains…”

She paused and continued:

“We’re preparing the formal letter. Zhao Nan asked me to reach out for your thoughts.”

Xu Chen thought for a moment.

He pondered and formed some guesses.

Black Duke’s GM, Wang Longchao, Xu Chen knew him.

In his past life, when he joined Black Duke, Wang was already GM; he’d seen him at employee meetings.

From what Gu said, Lu called to complain, but Wang’s response was protective of Li Fengfeng.

So, two possibilities.

One: Fear of the scandal’s impact, not wanting to harm Black Duke’s reputation—after all, proving this could affect other clients and projects.

Maybe Wang sees Renhe as a lost cause anyway, no future deals.

But if Li’s actions get out, it tanks Black Duke’s industry standing.

Also, if Xu remembered right, Black Duke was eyeing a stock market listing around now.

In 2006, no domestic ad firms were listed yet.

Both Nanyue Advertising and Black Duke were vying to be the first.

If this leaks, it could be a big or small issue…

Beyond that, another dramatic possibility:

Wang and Li’s personal ties.

In his past life at Black Duke, rumors flew that Wang and Li were close.

Otherwise, how did Li get away with bullying staff and stealing ideas for awards?

Someone upstairs was covering for him—that’s the simplest explanation.

Rumors about Wang and Li varied—they could be relatives or something more.

Back then, Xu Chen, fresh in the workforce, didn’t get the ‘male circle’ thing.

Later, in the ad world, he learned it’s full of such dynamics.

But Wang and Li? Hard to picture, especially with Li’s looks.

Still, Li fit the ‘bear’ type in that scene.

Though it sounded far-fetched, it was possible.

Though it sounded far-fetched, it was possible.

Xu Chen thought it over and asked on the call:

“What will your letter include?”

Gu Xinxi: “The full story, evidence, our demands, including compensation for current and past projects.”

Xu Chen: “Who’s it addressed to?”

Gu Xinxi: “At Black Duke, mainly Li’s direct supervisor and GM Wang Longchao.”

Xu Chen: “I’ll give you two more emails to CC.”

Xu Chen thought and explained briefly:

“I have contacts at Black Duke, so I know a bit about it.

One email is for their internal audit head, Chen Qimei.

Black Duke’s pushing for a listing, so they’re all about compliance—they set up internal audit, and Chen’s appointed by the board.

The other is for an independent director who, though not public, has major sway over operations.

Don’t worry too much—Wang can’t play favorites openly.

He’s just a hired manager.

Black Duke has key shareholders; Wang doesn’t call all the shots.”

Gu Xinxi: “That’s a huge relief…”

Xu Chen: “Talk it over with Zhao and Lu.

My advice: Send the formal letter first, hold off on legal action.

CC internal audit and the director, and Wang won’t dare mess around.

Rushing to court might mess up the ad production—you haven’t got the final cut yet, so avoid extra losses.”

Gu Xinxi: “Got it! Zhao was worried about that too, that’s why she had me call you.”

After hanging up, Xu Chen sent the two emails.

Gu Xinxi replied with thanks.

A dozen minutes later, Xu Chen’s inbox had a new message.

It was the communication from Renhe; Gu had CC’d him.

Xu Chen skimmed it—Gu’s letter was well-written and professional.

Soon after, Xu Chen got another call from Gu Xinxi.

“The email’s out, and we CC’d you.” Gu sounded much lighter.

“Just got it and I’m reading through.”

Gu Xinxi paused:

“One more thing, just between us.

After your hint last time, we checked internally.

Our Marketing’s Liu Huachun was in cahoots with Li Fengfeng.

He handled Black Duke’s quotes and settlements, probably took bribes and overlooked issues.”

Xu Chen wasn’t surprised—Li likely had inside help.

Gu Xinxi: “Liu’s been fired…

Also, I owe you big time, Xu Chen.”

Xu Chen laughed: “Why’s that?”

Gu Xinxi said softly: “Liu was always competing for my promotions…

Plus, this project with East Morning Star and you got me praise from leadership—they’ve pushed my promotion forward.

Really grateful, Xu Chen…”

Xu Chen: “No need—it’s your talent shining through.

And don’t forget to thank your mentor Guo Liang; he made the initial connection.”

Xu Chen casually asked:

“How’s Guo doing? I haven’t caught up with him lately!”

Gu Xinxi:

“He’s not doing great lately…”

Xu Chen: “Oh?”

Gu Xinxi: “Their company brought in a new big boss for regional market distribution.

New policies and KPIs have everyone scrambling.

I bet your old mentor’s feeling the heat…”

Xu Chen mulled it over—this could be a chance for him.

He’d been wanting to bring Guo to Chenfeng Technology—just the opening he needed.

With production lined up, it was time to tackle marketing, sales, and distribution.

After the call, Xu Chen ate some fruit as his inbox lit up with replies.

It was the communication letter—already a few responses.

First from Renhe’s VP Lu Wenhua, formally demanding answers and action from Black Duke.

Second from Black Duke’s independent director, who seemed high up—he ordered Wang to investigate, brought in internal audit, and CC’d others.

Xu Chen scanned it; the new CCs were probably Black Duke’s board and influencers.

The last one was from GM Wang Longchao.

It started with apologies to the client, taking responsibility as GM…

He mentioned suspending Li Fengfeng pending investigation and handover, then firing him.

Followed by steps like reassigning the project team, handling the ad’s follow-up, and discussing compensation post-investigation…

In the midst of reading, another reply came in.

From another Black Duke board member, demanding not just Li’s firing but a full probe into possible financial crimes and reporting to the 4A Advertising Association.

Reporting to 4A meant Li was done in the ad world—no company would touch him.

Seeing the email, Xu Chen smiled.

That sleazy former boss of his…

Was pretty much finished.

Was pretty much finished.