Chapter 323: Threads of Ambition

Wednesday at noon.

Xu Chen finished his class and grabbed his backpack, heading to the Tonghai Creative Design Building.

As soon as he stepped into the office, he saw Gu Xinxi and Sun Aimi getting ready to leave.

“Teacher Xu Chen…” Gu Xinxi greeted him with a smile.

“Welcome, Teacher Gu Xinxi!

Come on, let’s celebrate your arrival!”

Today marked Gu Xinxi’s official start, and Xu Chen wanted to make sure he welcomed her properly.

They ate at a decent Jiang Zhe restaurant on Quyang Road—it was the same place he and Teacher Fang Jun had visited when school started in September.

Once the food arrived, the three clinked their cola glasses.

Sun Aimi was clearly thrilled about Gu Xinxi joining.

Now the office wasn’t just her alone anymore.

This eased Xu Chen’s mind; when he had classes or went out, the two young women could keep each other company.

Xu Chen was very satisfied with his two employees and liked them a lot.

Sun Aimi came from a design background, with outstanding professional skills and a straightforward personality.

Gu Xinxi had sales experience, making her better at social interactions than Sun Aimi.

The two complemented each other perfectly in their work and teamed up well.

With them around, Xu Chen didn’t have to handle every tough task himself.

Both had round faces and looked like a pair of sisters.

…

During the meal, Gu Xinxi brought up the “Fuyan Jie” situation.

“Wash Well for Health” ads went through a test run with a few hundred thousand in spending, and the results far exceeded expectations before full rollout.

They then gradually expanded media placements.

Now, with sales surging, Renhe Pharmaceuticals allocated more budget for national TV spots.

This was the core strategy Xu Chen had pitched to the brand in August.

Educate users on the category and claim the top spot…

Renhe Pharmaceuticals has several product lines, and with this promotion, Fuyan Jie has become their flagship, generating huge revenue.

Vice President Lu Wenhua and Director Zhao Nan were overjoyed, grateful to East Morning Star Advertising and Xu Chen.

They’re considering launching new products and collaborating with East Morning Star Advertising again.

Gu Xinxi mentioned this specifically, but Xu Chen just smiled, showing little interest.

He wasn’t particularly excited about pharmaceutical ads.

Without major financial pressures, he preferred projects and categories he enjoyed…

The “Fuyan Jie” ad launch sparked plenty of debate, even some negative feedback.

That was expected, much like the initial reactions from classmates during yesterday’s lesson.

For the company, what mattered most was the sales boost from the ads.

Negative comments often came from non-target users or men.

Even if the ads impressed them as ‘sophisticated,’ they wouldn’t buy the product.

Ads aren’t art; if choosing between praise and sales, always go for sales.

…

As the meal wrapped up, Xu Chen outlined some work assignments.

“We have three main projects on our hands right now.

Kunlunshan Mineral Water’s print ads, Jeep’s commercial, and Chenfeng Ice Power’s launch promotion…

Teacher Sun Aimi, you’ll focus on design and creativity, mainly overseeing the content.

Teacher Gu Xinxi, take over the administrative tasks—like daily client interactions and project management.

For the Chenfeng Ice Power line, just coordinate with your mentor Guo Liang.”

Gu Xinxi smiled and said:

“Got it, boss! Sun Aimi already handed off some specifics this morning!”

Xu Chen nodded:

“Also, we need to apply for a few website domains.

Mainly for Chenfeng Technology, East Morning Star Advertising, and Ran Bing Sports—they all need official sites.

East Morning Star Advertising’s isn’t too complex or critical.

But Chenfeng Technology and Ran Bing Sports sites are important…

Gu Xinxi, you have two tasks: first, list out as many domain options as possible. I have a tech-savvy classmate who can help with applications.

Second, find external companies that handle website development.

My classmate can build sites, but I’m worried he might not have the depth. He could manage East Morning Star Advertising’s, but for Chenfeng Electric Vehicles and Ran Bing Sports, we need pros.”

Xu Chen had considered hiring someone specifically for websites and interactive ads.

Around 2006, a bunch of companies in China started specializing in interactive ads, and a couple grew big.

But after thinking it over, he decided against it.

Interactive ads don’t have high profit margins—they’re gritty, exhausting work for little reward.

Better to focus energy on building up Chenfeng Ice Power and Ran Bing Sports.

Gu Xinxi nodded and said:

“Okay, no problem. I have some website suppliers from before.

When I was at Renhe Pharmaceuticals, I handled the product launch site.”

Sun Aimi: “Boss, should we start designing the sites for Chenfeng Technology and Ran Bing Sports?”

Xu Chen: “Yes, Teacher Sun Aimi, you’ll be busy again.

For Chenfeng Technology, it’s mainly the launch page for Chenfeng Ice Power—that’s urgent.

We need to get it done as soon as we return from the Northwest trip.

Ran Bing Sports isn’t as pressing; just get the logo and visual identity sorted first.”

Sun Aimi nodded:

“Understood, boss. I’ll set aside time in the next couple of days to work on it!”

She adjusted her round-framed glasses:

“The Ran Bing Sports logo and VI need careful thought…

Boss, do you have any specific ideas or requirements?”

Xu Chen thought for a moment:

“I don’t have anything concrete yet.

It’s for Bing Ge, and you’ve seen her in person, plus the online and media buzz.

It should match her vibe—top-notch and upscale.

‘Ran Bing Sports’ needs a mid-to-high-end brand image.”

Sun Aimi: “That sounds a bit challenging.

I’ll research sport brands from Europe, America, and Japan over the next few days…”

…

Gu Xinxi was quick and efficient; by afternoon, she sent Xu Chen a detailed project timeline.

Xu Chen was in class and glanced at it on his phone, couldn’t help but praise her.

With Gu Xinxi as the ‘little manager,’ she’d save him a ton of hassle in tracking progress and managing projects.

…

During the afternoon break, Xu Chen got a message from Wu Yue.

[Little President Xu, President Xu and President Nie are heading out on a business trip. Want to join?

Need me to book your travel?

President Xu said to double-check with you.]

Xu Chen: [No need to book for me. I’ve got projects conflicting, so I can’t make it. Just let my dad know.]

[Got it!]

Xu Chen thought for a second and replied:

[Where exactly are they going?]

Wu Yue: [First to Qing City for a couple of days, then flying to Fujian Province…]

Earlier, Nie Fei had mentioned to Xu Chen that domestic sport brand manufacturing hubs were in QD City in the north and Lucheng in Fujian Province, both with solid supply chains.

These spots started as small village factories in the 80s and 90s, then grew into something bigger.

With funding and tech, they caught the wave when brands like Nike and Adidas moved production to China.

That boosted them, and soon local sport brands shifted lines there, creating major industry clusters.

But those big factories have stakes from brand owners and rarely take outside orders—it’s like self-protection monopoly.

Xu Zhiquan and Nie Fei’s trip to scout was absolutely necessary.

“Ran Bing Sports”‘s biggest asset is the name “Xie Bingran.”

But it still needs solid products to back it up.

Just pushing mediocre branded stuff wouldn’t build the brand—it could even tarnish Xie Bingran’s reputation.

Xu Chen and Nie Fei hadn’t discussed it deeply, but they both knew.

No matter what, “Ran Bing Sports” products had to be top quality.

…

After evening class, Xu Chen grabbed his backpack and left the classroom.

In the hallway, he spotted Class Monitor Min Siyang walking ahead with two other girls.

He hurried over and called out:

“Class Monitor, I need to take some leave.”

Min Siyang turned: “Sure, how many days? I’ll handle the school paperwork.”

Xu Chen: “Just Monday and Tuesday next week.”

Xie Bingran’s shoot was from the 29th to the 31st.

Since the 29th was a Sunday, two days off would cover it.

Min Siyang nodded but smiled: “You keep taking leave—what’s this secret business you’re up to?”

Xu Chen played it mysterious: “Just some dealings.”

Arts Commissioner Su Rong looked disappointed:

“So Xu Chen won’t make it to Monday’s meeting.”

She meant the year-end welcome party’s discussion.

Xu Chen chuckled: “I’m not great with artsy stuff anyway, so I wouldn’t be much help.”

…

At the school post office, Xu Chen walked out with a box.

He hadn’t opened it yet, but the strong apple scent hit him.

This was from his father Xu Zhiquan—the yellow apples Xie Bingran wanted.

With the weekend coming, he’d bring a few for her.

When Xu Chen reached the office, Sun Aimi and Gu Xinxi had already headed home.

He got scissors, cut open the box, and the apple aroma rushed out.

The apples were packed carefully with newspapers.

Xu Chen opened the fridge and gently placed them in the cold section.

He took one, rinsed it under the tap, and bit in.

It was the ripe yellow apples Xie Bingran had asked for—crisp and juicy.

They reminded Xu Chen of his childhood; memories flooded back.

Northern apples were common in his village’s orchards every autumn.

Once his father Xu Zhiquan started the factory and made money, he bought fancier southern fruits, so apples became rare treats.

…

As Xu Chen ate, he tidied up the box and newspapers.

Glancing at the crumpled paper, he smiled.

“Tiancheng Entrepreneurs Special Series: On Chenfeng Technology Chairman Xu Zhiquan…”

“Tiancheng South District Highway Fully Opens, Chenxin Nurseries Honored as Key Contributor, General Manager Xu Zhiquan Receives Shandong Province Highway Group Award…”

“Provincial Leaders Visit Tiancheng, Tour Local Enterprises…”

His father Xu Zhiquan had become a well-known entrepreneur in Tiancheng.

President Xu was really making a name for himself!

As Little President Xu, he felt proud.

[Dad, got the apples! Thanks, President Xu!] Xu Chen messaged his father.

Soon, he got a reply from Xu Zhiquan:

[And thank you for the wife cakes you sent last week—your old man loved them!

These apples are fresh from the town’s orchard. You and Ranran eat them soon.

I’ll send another box in a couple of days…]

Xu Chen: [How’s the factory tour going?]

Xu Zhiquan: [Very smooth, lots to learn…

“Ran Bing Sports”—go for it, son. I’ll be your solid support.

After this trip, I see it’s a great business worth pursuing!

Those foreign brands make insane profits—selling shoes for hundreds that cost peanuts. They’re raking in Chinese money way too easily…

Get “Ran Bing Sports” off the ground and give those foreign brands a run for it! Let’s keep our money in China!]

Xu Chen felt a wave of emotion.

His father Xu Zhiquan always carried that deep sense of national pride.

…

…

The weekend arrived in a flash.

On Saturday the 28th, Sun Aimi went to the Kunlunshan and Jeep studios to check the setups for tomorrow’s shoot, and Gu Xinxi tagged along.

Xu Chen skipped it and left it all to Sun Aimi.

It wasn’t too complicated; the two could handle it.

For the Northwest trip, it was just Xu Chen and Sun Aimi from East Morning Star Advertising, as arranged with the clients.

Gu Xinxi would stay back for online support.

Travel was all sorted by the clients, so Xu Chen didn’t worry.

He was excited to see the ‘little rich girl’ tomorrow.

Late October in Xinjiang wasn’t freezing, but the wind had a chill.

Xu Chen headed to Wujiaochang and bought a set of outdoor jackets for over 2,000 yuan.

He thought about it and got one for Xie Bingran too.

The director’s team had jackets for her shoot outfits, but those were for set only.

Xu Chen wanted to bring his own for her.

Xie Bingran had a balanced build, so buying for her 175 cm height worked fine.

She’d grown another centimeter since starting sports, which made Xu Chen feel a bit competitive.

If the foodie kept growing, she’d match his height, and that’d be awkward.

Luckily, she didn’t wear heels, or he’d be looking up at her.

He picked a neutral style for Xie Bingran, giving off a ‘cool and tough’ vibe.

…”