Chapter 298: Hustle in the Tech Park

The third day of the National Day holiday.

Chenfeng Technology Park.

Fang Jun set aside three empty workstations in the financial room for Xu Chen, Sun Aimi, and Gu Xinxi to use as their office space.

Wu Yue arranged for two extra office computers to be brought in…

Xie Bingran’s ad shoot on the 4th was all set.

Gu Xinxi had taken over the minor details from Guo Liang for coordinating with the photography studio and held a phone conference with them early that morning.

Even though she hadn’t officially started yet, she was already diving in and getting things done.

The shooting plan for spokesperson Xie Bingran was finalized, and Sun Aimi adjusted some of her poses based on the ‘Chenfeng Ice Power’ prototype they shot yesterday.

After discussing with Xu Chen, they settled on ten core movements, along with lighting requirements and everything else, and sent it all to the photographers in the provincial capital.

They also needed to shoot the ‘Chenfeng Ice Power’ prototype, which would later be combined with Xie Bingran’s image for posters.

But the model involved confidentiality, and it still needed to stay at the factory for technical testing, so they had to film it there.

Luckily, Sun Aimi had photography skills, and shooting objects was easier than people, so she planned to handle it herself.

Gu Xinxi and Guo Liang would rent cameras, lights, green screens, and other equipment in Tiancheng over the next couple of days, then set up a simple studio in the warehouse.

Once back from the provincial capital, Sun Aimi could start shooting.

All expenses related to Chenfeng Electric Vehicles could go through Guo Liang’s marketing budget, so Xu Chen didn’t have to worry about it.

…

“Boss” Xu Chen sat next to Fang Jun’s workstation, pondering the Jeep ad plan on the computer.

The slogan was straightforward; he just needed to work backward from the standard answer in his mind to build the strategy and logic.

During his last meeting at the Jeep brand office, he had seen some of their brand history on the background wall, which he could now incorporate into the plan.

The ideas for the ads featuring Wang Shi and Xie Bingran needed more careful thought.

Luckily, he didn’t have to submit storyboards or scripts yet—just a basic concept.

Xu Chen was confident, but it would take some time to fine-tune it.

Overall, there was no rush; he had several days.

…

The park cafeteria chef was on holiday, so Wu Yue arranged meals from an outside hotel.

With only about ten people working overtime in the park, they gathered in the main conference room for lunch.

Xu Zhiquan had a lunch engagement outside, and without the boss around, the rest relaxed a bit.

Though Xu Zhiquan wasn’t overly formal, he was still the boss, so his employees felt a little reserved in front of him.

The only one who stayed completely unfazed and straightforward with Xu Zhiquan was probably “the god of wealth” Teacher Fang Jun.

Only Wu Yue and Yang Congxin, the “old-timers” from the mechanical factory, knew about Fang Jun’s complicated background.

The newcomers like Guo Liang and the younger factory staff were unaware.

As for Sun Aimi and Gu Xinxi, they had no idea either; they just saw Fang Jun as cool and expressionless daily, but friendly once you got to know her—especially after a drink, when she turned into a chatty delight.

Of course, they were surprised and puzzled that “Big Boss” President Xu had set up a bar in the park just for Teacher Fang Jun.

Guo Liang was sharp and noticed that even Xu Zhiquan usually went out of his way to accommodate Fang Jun, so he figured the company’s financial director wasn’t as simple as she seemed.

…

While eating, Sister Wu Yue turned on the conference room TV.

It was playing the local Tiancheng midday news…

Everyone glanced up, and someone couldn’t help but applaud.

East Morning Star Co.’s general manager and Chenxin Nurseries’ chairman, Xu Zhiquan, was being interviewed by the City TV Station.

It turned out that over the National Day, a section of highway in Tiancheng had passed inspection and opened, with the配套 landscaping project delivered on time and up to standard.

This was like a “gift project” for the holiday, and the city media had done a special report on it.

Sun Aimi and Gu Xinxi exchanged glances and shared a secret look.

Since coming to Tiancheng, the two young women had privately discussed and speculated.

Xu Chen’s family business, including Chenfeng Technology and Chenxin Nurseries, had really impressed them.

Now they realized that although Xu Chen came from a small city in the north, his family had real assets.

He was a proper “young master” and “second-generation rich…”

Yet, “Teacher Xiao Xu” ran East Morning Star Advertising and kept a low profile, showing no signs of the flashy arrogance some spoiled heirs display.

In fact, he was very dedicated and hardworking in his work.

It didn’t seem like someone from a wealthy family at all.

Clearly, not all rich kids were showy; some, like Xu Chen, were smart, low-key, and driven…

…

…

Early on the 4th, Xu Chen picked up Sun Aimi and Gu Xinxi from the hotel in his Nissan Teana.

They waited downstairs for a bit and saw a white Audi A3 pull up.

The window rolled down—it was Teacher Fang Jun…

They were heading to the provincial capital that afternoon to shoot material for Xie Bingran.

Fang Jun insisted on coming along, wanting to see Bing Ge and spend a couple of days there.

Even though it was the National Day holiday and there wasn’t much finance work, Fang Jun had worked overtime with Xu Zhiquan and Yang Congxin for two days.

Since she wanted to visit the provincial capital to see Xie Bingran, Xu Zhiquan gave her the time off.

…

Four people, two cars.

An hour and forty minutes later, they arrived at a creative park in the provincial capital’s suburbs.

Gu Xinxi had looked up the address on her phone, but once inside, they still had to roll down the window and ask the security guard.

After a couple of loops, they finally found Tan Changqiao Photography Studio.

After getting out, Gu Xinxi made a call, and a middle-aged man with a long braid came down.

He introduced himself warmly:

“Hello, leaders. I’m Tan Changqiao…”

He was the owner and photographer of the studio.

Gu Xinxi greeted him briefly and introduced the others.

When he learned Xu Chen was the “boss,” Tan Changqiao showed clear surprise.

Xu Chen was used to such reactions and just smiled kindly.

Tan Changqiao had only found out that morning that they were shooting Shandong Province sports star Xie Bingran.

He instantly became more serious and even called a friend to borrow extra lighting equipment.

He looked at “boss” Xu Chen and said earnestly:

“Though I’ve been shooting wedding and art photos here in the provincial capital for years,

back in my early days in Beijing, I photographed plenty of celebrities and was a lead photographer at major studios…

So, Boss Xu, don’t worry!

I’m honored to shoot material for Xie Bingran!

I’ll make sure today’s shoot lives up to your trust…”

The photographer was recommended by Guo Liang, and Xu Chen had already reviewed his portfolio, so he felt generally at ease.

“Thanks for your hard work, Teacher Tan!

Aimi and Xinxi will stay here to check the setup.

I’ll bring Xie Bingran over later in the afternoon!”

Tan Changqiao: “That’s fine! I’ll get everything ready with the two teachers and test some shots before you arrive to ensure everything’s perfect!”

…

After a few more exchanges, Xu Chen and Fang Jun left first.

They each drove to the hotel to check in.

The hotel was the one Wu Yue had booked in advance, and it was where Xie Bingran and her coach were staying.

This time, Coach Cheng Hong didn’t come; instead, an assistant coach from the national team joined.

The provincial capital was like Xie Bingran’s big base with the provincial team, and plenty of her old coaches were there, so there wouldn’t be any issues.

After checking in, Fang Jun went up to drop off her luggage while Xu Chen bought a bottle of water.

Once Fang Jun came down, she said to Xu Chen:

“I’ll ride with you. You can be my driver.”

Xu Chen laughed and replied, “What an honor!”

…

Twenty minutes later, outside a conference hotel near the Provincial Sports University.

Xu Chen parked the car, and he and Fang Jun walked into the spacious lobby.

A huge LED screen overhead played one of Xie Bingran’s promotional videos.

The lobby also displayed a large poster of Xie Bingran.

Fang Jun said flatly, “Your Bing Ge really knows how to make an entrance!”

Xu Chen felt proud but just said,

“Bing Ge’s still in a meeting upstairs. Let’s wait on the sofa.”

…

A few minutes later, four people stepped out of the elevator hall.

Leading with a cool expression was Xie Bingran.

She wore the national team’s orange-red uniform, making her legs look even longer.

Her short bangs swayed rhythmically as she walked forward…

From afar, Xu Chen thought of the new fan nickname circulating online:

“Husband”…

Before Xu Chen could stand, Bing Ge scanned the lobby, spotted him, and smiled slightly.

Xu Chen and Fang Jun went over, and he greeted the three behind her, whom he knew.

“Hello, Teacher Chen Ming! Hello, Teacher Tian Fangfang!”

The two were indeed Teacher Chen Ming and Teacher Tian Fangfang from First High School.

The other sturdy woman was Tian Chaorui, the provincial team’s 100-meter sprinter and once Bing Ge’s rival.

Tian Chaorui looked at Xu Chen, grinned, and nodded in greeting.

Xu Chen and Xie Bingran shared a quiet smile without saying much.

Xu Chen turned and introduced Fang Jun.

After warm greetings, Teacher Chen Ming laughed and said:

“We heard Chen Dahai’s treating, so we tagged along!”

Chen Ming was Chen Dahai’s uncle, and Tian Fangfang and Tian Chaorui were also from First High School…

It made sense for the three to crash Chen Dahai’s meal.

Xu Chen chuckled, “Then let’s really hit him hard!”

Teacher Chen Ming drove, so Tian Fangfang and Tian Chaorui got in his car.

Fang Jun glanced around expressionlessly and whispered to Xu Chen,

“I’ll go with Chen Ming’s car…”

Xu Chen replied, “Thanks… Teacher Fang.”

Once they left, Xu Chen turned to Xie Bingran.

“Hungry?”

“Not really.”

“Miss me?”

“No.”

“…”

…

In the parking lot.

Xu Chen got into the driver’s seat, and Xie Bingran sat in the passenger side.

As he started the car and reached for the gear shift with his right hand, Xie Bingran grabbed it.

Xu Chen turned and saw her looking at him.

“Hold me…”

…