Chapter 238: Settling Scores and New Ventures

The Black Duke matter can wrap up for now.

That ad spot has manageable risks; we’ve shot all the footage, and the rest—editing and production—falls to the director’s team.

Xu Chen might oversee the final cut and suggest tweaks, then it’s done.

One loose end remains: designer Sun Aimi.

This talented designer has been on Xu Chen’s mind all along.

Xu Chen thought it through; adding a solid designer to the company is crucial. Beyond Chenfeng Electric Vehicles projects, East Morning Star Advertising and Ran Bing Sports will need her too…

Remembering Chenfeng Technology’s progress, Xu Chen sent Sun Aimi a message:

[Aimi, about that design project I mentioned before…

Are you free? Let’s chat over the phone!]

After a short wait, he got Sun Aimi’s reply:

[Give me a moment, Xu Chen. I’ll call you right back!]

A few minutes later, Sun Aimi’s call came through—she must have found a quiet spot.

Xu Chen got straight to the point, outlining the design needs.

Mainly, logos for ‘Chenfeng Technology’ and ‘Chenfeng Ice Power’.

Plus, a full VI visual system for Chenfeng Technology, covering core elements and extended designs.

Xu Chen’s plan was to use this project to introduce Sun Aimi to the family’s businesses, paving the way to bring her on board later.

At the same time, he wanted to gauge her professional skills through this work.

Though in his past life, Sun Aimi had risen to creative director at Black Duke, Xu Chen had never collaborated with her directly, so he needed to verify.

For the two logos and the visual system, Xu Chen offered a net payment of twenty thousand yuan, based on current freelance rates.

In 2006, the domestic ad design industry had modest salaries; freelancers typically charged a few thousand to ten or twenty thousand yuan.

More experienced designers might quote fifty to a hundred thousand.

But Sun Aimi, fresh out of school, would find twenty thousand a solid offer.

Xu Chen had already weighed this.

Don’t overpay—just a bit above market to avoid looking like an easy mark.

In truth, a full visual system from a firm like Black Duke would start at two or three hundred thousand yuan.

Top domestic design firms could exceed a million.

Of course, hiring a firm means multiple options and a team, but for Xu Chen, Sun Aimi sufficed.

Though testing her skills was part of it, he had confidence in this future creative director’s talent.

……

Sun Aimi: “Does Xu Chen have any deadlines?”

Xu Chen: “Let’s go by your schedule, Aimi. It’s not urgent, but I’d like a solid plan by August.”

Sun Aimi: “I’ll check my current projects and get back to you.”

Xu Chen: “No problem. If you want, we can draw up a formal design contract.”

Sun Aimi: “I trust you completely, Xu Chen…”

Xu Chen smiled and added:

“Our product isn’t launched yet, so we need to keep this confidential.”

Sun Aimi: “Don’t worry, Xu Chen. I know the rules—I’m bound by confidentiality and won’t share anything with outsiders.”

Xu Chen: “Feel free to send drafts or ideas my way as you go, Aimi. I’m in advertising too, so we can discuss.”

Sun Aimi: “Sure…

Actually, working on your project makes me a bit nervous—I’m worried I won’t meet your standards.”

Xu Chen laughed: “You’re too hard on yourself. I’m not a designer, so I’ll just chat about strategy and creativity.

I’ll put together some background info later—all public stuff—and email it for reference.”

Sun Aimi: “Great, I’ll wait for your email.”

……

……

In Yangcheng, at the Black Duke Marketing office.

Sun Aimi hung up and headed back to her desk.

Picking up some freelance work for extra cash was a thrill—base designer pay was just a few thousand yuan.

But Xu Chen’s project did make her uneasy.

His expertise was impressive.

For one, on the Fuyan Jie ad, Sun Aimi had helped with Black Duke’s pitch.

She’d been confident in their plan, yet East Morning Star Advertising won out…

Plus, during Xu Chen’s recent visit to Yangcheng, she’d seen his skills firsthand.

His feedback on the ad spot was spot-on, and he outshone her manager Li Fengfeng in business, communication, and management.

……

Sun Aimi had just sat down when her team colleague, account manager Chen Xiaolong, pulled up a chair and whispered:

“Is something up with Li Fengfeng?”

Sun Aimi: “What do you mean?”

Chen Xiaolong: “You weren’t here for last night’s overtime—Li got called in by the boss and came back furious, even smashed a cup…

Then he took a call, looked ready to explode, and headed straight to the boss’s office.”

Sun Aimi: “The boss usually favors him—what could it be?”

Chen Xiaolong:

“Maybe the Fuyan Jie project? He had me pull all the quotes, invoices, and emails last night and resend them…”

Sun Aimi adjusted her round glasses:

“You’d know if there’s any issue in there.”

Chen Xiaolong grimaced but stayed quiet.

……

In the general manager’s office.

Black Duke Marketing’s general manager, Wang Longchao, looked furious as he stubbed out his cigarette.

“I told you to play it safe! Why chase that extra cash?”

Li Fengfeng stood there, pale with fear:

“Wang, you have to help me…”

Wang Longchao snapped:

“How? The email went straight to internal audit’s Chen Qimei and copied the big boss Jimi.

Then Jimi blasted it to all the board members…

If I cover for you, I’ll lose my job too!”

Li Fengfeng blinked his small eyes, his already ugly face twisting further.

He frowned and thought:

“How did they get Chen Qimei’s and Jimi’s contacts?

That’s not common knowledge in the company!”

Wang Longchao lit another cigarette, looking baffled:

“It’s strange.

Internal audit is brand new…

And we weren’t planning to announce it to mid-level staff for months.

Jimi barely shows up—younger employees might not even know him.”

He eyed Li Fengfeng:

“Did you tick off any directors?”

Li Fengfeng pondered:

“The two I clashed with, you already dealt with…

The current ones have no beef with me.”

Wang Longchao: “This is weird.”

Li Fengfeng narrowed his eyes: “Could we check with Renhe?”

Wang Longchao nearly threw the ashtray: “How? I can’t even face Lu Zong’s calls!”

……

By midday.

Internal audit bypassed Wang Longchao and dove into the investigation of Li Fengfeng and the Renhe project.

They interviewed Chen Xiaolong and Sun Aimi, pulling detailed files.

Meanwhile, Li Fengfeng slipped out during lunch, grabbing his things and vanishing.

Word of his firing spread fast through the company.

Li Fengfeng would never guess this tied back to Xu Chen, whom he’d only met briefly in Yangcheng.

……

……

Xu Chen had to return the car that afternoon, so he grabbed his bags from it and brought them to the office.

Mostly dirty clothes from Yangcheng, plus the National Team duffel Xie Bingran gave him.

The black canvas bag, with a small flag on it, beat any fancy luggage hands down.

He’d lined up lunch with Chen Dahai and other classmates, so he drove straight there.

One dorm mate had gotten into Snow District University and needed to head early to adjust to the high altitude—departing next week.

So the group planned a farewell meal.

Most inland students skipped schools up there.

This guy came from a modest background with average grades.

He chose Snow District for the secure government job post-graduation, with less pressure on studies and work.

The trade-off: staying there to build the region.

From the moment he applied, his life path for the next decades was set.

Overall, it was a decent choice for someone in his situation—if he stayed inland, he’d end up at a subpar college with shaky job prospects.

The only hurdle: adapting his plains-bred body to high altitudes—who knew how long that would take.

……

They met at a mutton restaurant near First High School.

When Xu Chen arrived, the other six or seven dorm mates were already there.

They greeted “Young Master Xu” with enthusiasm.

Chen Dahai pulled him over:

“Did you go to Yangcheng for Bing Ge’s game? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Xu Chen: “How’d you know?”

Chen Dahai slung an arm around him:

“I spotted you on TV! Just a quick shot, but your face is too recognizable!”

“……”

Xu Chen ignored the tease and first congratulated the guy heading to Snow District University.

The shy student thanked him awkwardly.

The others chimed in, joking about his future up there.

“Snow District’s girls are great—high cheekbones, big eyes!

You’ll snag a local beauty after graduation!”

“Or date a few in college first!”

“Yeah, practice up! Wonder if the thin air handles intense activities…”

“Load up on nutrients—extra mutton today!”

“Boss, add a plate of lamb kidneys!”

……

The chat veered off, leaving the student red-faced.

Chen Dahai ordered a round of beer, but Xu Chen stuck to tea since he had to drive back.

“We’ve barely hung out as a dorm, and now graduation’s here.”

Chen Dahai’s comment turned things sentimental.

They clinked glasses, then he lightened the mood with laughs.

Of the eight, four stayed in the province for school, heading to the Provincial Capital.

Like in Xu Chen’s past, Chen Dahai got into Sports University there.

He’d graduate, stay put, teach PE at a primary school, and marry a music teacher—happy enough.

The other four went out of province, including the Snow District guy and Xu Chen.

Xu Chen’s spot at a 985 in Shanghai drew envy.

“I wanted Shanghai, but my scores tanked—stuck with a dumpy school…

And unlike you, with your family’s support, I couldn’t handle the costs.”

“Shanghai’s girls are so charming—lucky you!”

“Watch it, or Bing Ge might come after you!”

“Boss, toss in another lamb kidney for our Xu!”

……

They ribbed him, but Xu Chen just smiled and focused on his food.

The mutton was delicious—tender, juicy, full of flavor.

Too bad Xie Bingran avoided beef and lamb when out; he couldn’t bring her.

Bing Ge was back with the team, diving into tough training.

The shop’s counter had a TV playing those old抗日 dramas locals loved.

An ad broke in with the slogan “He feels good, I feel good.”

Xu Chen set down his lamb bone, wiped his hands, and texted Guo Liang:

[Guo, got time soon? I never thanked you for the Renhe Pharmaceuticals hook-up—let’s grab a meal!]

Guo Liang: [You’re too kind, Xu. No need for that; I’ll swing by sometime to chat.]

Xu Chen: [How about next week? Stop by my dad’s factory, we can talk and have tea.]

Guo Liang: [I’d be honored!]

……