Chapter 408: Year-End Momentum

In the afternoon, during class.

“Young President Xu” was still squeezing in work whenever possible, managing his endless duties.

Gu Xinxi sent over the “Project Progress Chart,” outlining the status of several ongoing company projects.

She knew Young President Xu would be traveling on Wednesday and not returning until after the New Year’s holiday, so she compiled all the project updates.

Xu Chen glanced over it quickly; everything was progressing steadily as planned.

“Ran Bing Sports” wasn’t a worry; with Fei Jie overseeing it, there wouldn’t be any major issues.

The recent milestones included the first shipment of “Ran Bing 001” on January 1st…

And by month’s end, Nie Fei would travel to Fujian Province to finalize future production plans with Zhou Junjun.

For “Chenfeng Ice Power,” they needed to shoot a new ad with Xie Bingran as the spokesperson; this request had already gone to Sun Aimi.

They expected to discuss the plan internally after New Year’s…

The Kunlunshan Mineral Water and Vanke projects, along with the Jeep brand ad, still had some wrapping up and long-term tasks; Gu Xinxi, Sun Aimi, and Tang Xiaowei were handling them separately.

Sun Aimi and Tang Xiaowei had prepared a draft for the Head & Shoulders creative plan; they’d review it with Young President Xu tomorrow.

The Procter & Gamble pitch to the brand owner was set for after New Year’s…

Then there was the Yichun City “Spring Call” promotion project, which was finalized to launch the “A City That Calls Spring” materials for the first time during the New Year’s holiday on December 30th.

Alongside it, a series of topics and hype campaigns would kick off.

Gu Xinxi sent over the website banner materials for “Spring Call,” created by Tang Xiaowei.

Xu Chen looked it over; there weren’t any big problems…

All in all, this New Year’s Day would be a landmark moment for both “Ran Bing Sports” and “East Morning Star Advertising.”

“Ran Bing 001” would officially hit the hands of the first consumers…

The Vanke Lanco Santa Fe and Yichun Spring Call projects would go live…

Xu Chen couldn’t help feeling a bit self-satisfied.

He was very confident in the user experience of “Ran Bing 001.”

“You get what you pay for,” and currently, the feel and quality of “Ran Bing 001” compared to core competitors was like “getting twice the value for your money.”

Once it reached users, it would surely spark great word-of-mouth.

Many consumers who originally bought it just because of “Xie Bingran” would at least half stick around as loyal fans based on the product’s reputation…

The Vanke Lanco Santa Fe and “Spring Call” projects were both destined to become industry benchmarks.

Before New Year’s, they’d also claim three awards from the University Advertising Competition and the Great Wall Advertising Award.

After New Year’s, the Vanke brand ad with a 2 million budget and the Head & Shoulders quote for 3 million would come in…

By early 2007, “East Morning Star Advertising” would have projects worth five million starting to roll in.

In this way.

2006 had been fruitful, and 2007 was off to a fantastic start…

With such a bright future ahead.

Young President Xu truly deserved a moment of pride.

And just in time, tonight was the company’s year-end party, a chance to unwind after a busy half-year.

With his father Xu Zhiquan and Xie Bingran there, sharing the joy made it all the more perfect.

…

…

After class ended in the afternoon, Xu Chen called Su Rong and headed to the company together.

Su Rong’s backpack was bulging.

Xu Chen couldn’t help glancing at it; Su Rong patted the bag and smiled, saying:

“These are the gifts we’re exchanging later!”

Xu Chen: “Miss Su’s gift must be something special.

I can’t wait to swap with you!”

Su Rong hugged her backpack a bit tighter, alertly:

“I’m looking forward to swapping with Bing Ge.”

“……”

Xu Chen felt a touch of speechlessness but smiled and said:

“My gift and Bing Ge’s are the same.”

Su Rong: “Only physically the same.”

Xu Chen: “You still prefer Bing Ge…”

…

…

At the Tonghai Creative Design Building.

As soon as Xu Chen and Su Rong reached the office door, they saw a Christmas tree decorated with lights inside.

The whole office was decked out in a festive holiday vibe.

And right at the entrance, there were large posters of Bing Ge.

With signs saying “Welcome Bing Ge”…

A group was gathered in the spacious activity area, chatting and laughing.

It turned out Wu Feifei had arrived early and was helping Sun Aimi and Jiang Yuze set up the tables.

The moment Xu Chen and Su Rong walked in, everyone called out “Boss” and “Young President Xu.”

Wu Feifei smiled and came over, leading Su Rong away…

Under the big Christmas tree, there were gift boxes lined up.

The ones from Xu Chen and Xie Bingran were already there.

In the rest area, two long tables were set up with seafood hotpot, barbecue, fruit platters…

And white wine, red wine, beer, juice.

The party dinner was originally considered for a hotel outside.

But everyone agreed the office was better.

The new office space was roomy and flexible, and it was their turf, so they could make as much noise as they wanted.

…

“Has Fei Jie and President Xu gotten back yet?” Xu Chen asked.

Gu Xinxi: “Not yet!

Fei Jie took President Xu out to visit a couple of companies…

They should be back soon.”

Xu Chen nodded.

Fang Jun and Xie Bingran weren’t there either; they were probably on their way.

Wu Feifei walked up to Xu Chen and glanced at his feet:

“Why haven’t you changed your shoes?”

Xu Chen looked down and saw everyone else wearing the new “Ran Bing 001” shoes.

This was part of the agreed tradition, a small ceremony for tonight’s party.

Xu Chen: “I left them in the office; I’ll change right away!”

He turned and saw Su Rong already slipping on her new shoes, happily taking photos with Sun Aimi.

Xu Chen looked at Gu Xinxi:

“My dad and Fang Jun don’t have shoes yet, and neither did Bing Ge…”

Gu Xinxi: “Fei Jie arranged that ages ago; she had Vice President Zhou send over a few pairs the other day.”

Xu Chen nodded with a smile; Fei Jie always handled things so efficiently.

…

…

Xu Chen went back to his small office and pulled out the pair of “Ran Bing 001” from the cabinet to put on.

He stepped lightly and couldn’t help remarking:

“The foam from Su Rong’s family is incredibly soft and bouncy!”

It was still a step behind the advanced materials from later iterations, but at this point, it was unique in the industry.

For future “Ran Bing” shoes’ midsole materials, Xu Chen and Nie Fei had already agreed on a strategy…

“Soft and bouncy” soles would be their distinctive selling point, with ongoing improvements in materials and tech.

“Wanrong Materials” had signed an exclusive deal with “Ran Bing Sports.”

Backed by “Wanrong’s” strong resources, they could access the latest industry advancements first.

…

Laughter erupted outside; Xu Chen got up and saw his father Xu Zhiquan and Nie Fei had returned.

“President Xu” was in high spirits, greeting everyone warmly.

He had visited the company that morning and met all the team members.

Xu Chen stepped out and called:

“President Xu!”

Xu Zhiquan paused.

Xu Chen: “We’re on work time, so use titles.”

Xu Zhiquan chuckled heartily and patted his son’s shoulder.

Nie Fei handed over a pair of shoes with a smile.

Xu Zhiquan took them and glanced at everyone’s feet:

“Great! New shoes for the new year—a good omen!”

Xu Chen led his father Xu Zhiquan to the general manager’s office.

As Xu Zhiquan changed his shoes, he said:

“Fang Jun and Ranran haven’t gotten back yet?”

Xu Chen: “I just messaged; they’re on their way and will be here soon.”

Xu Zhiquan remembered something and added:

“We really need to get Nie Fei a car; she’s a senior manager in our ‘group’ after all.”

Xu Chen: “I mentioned it to Fei Jie mid-year.

She turned it down, saying “Ran Bing Sports” is a startup and she doesn’t like driving…”

Xu Zhiquan: “I’ll handle it!

I’m due for a new car anyway; I’ll get one for Nie Fei too…

Buying through the company means tax benefits, and it’s all company assets.

If she doesn’t drive, we can assign a driver—it’s a minor expense.”

Xu Chen smiled and said:

“Where did you two go this afternoon? You seem to have had a productive day, President Xu!”

Xu Zhiquan had finished changing and stood up, lighting a cigarette:

“Nie Fei has some solid connections…

She introduced me to two companies that handle electric bike and motorcycle distribution in East China.

They’re not in East China or South China yet, but we’ll need them eventually.

Building relationships now is incredibly helpful.”

“Oh?”

Xu Chen was a bit surprised; he hadn’t expected Fei Jie to have contacts in the motorcycle and electric bike dealer world beyond sports and fast-moving consumer goods.

Just then, Nie Fei knocked and entered.

“Does the size fit, President Xu?

If not, we have spares.”

Xu Zhiquan: “It fits perfectly!”

He laughed heartily:

“I was just telling Xu Chen how helpful those two dealers you introduced were.”

Xu Chen: “I didn’t realize you knew electric bike dealers directly, Fei Jie.”

Nie Fei smiled: “That’s all thanks to you, Young President Xu.”

Xu Chen: “Huh?”

Nie Fei: “From the Jeep appreciation dinner last time…

The two dealers I introduced today were people I met there.

Those motorcycle and electric bike founders started in auto dealing and know the Jeep channel heads well.”

Xu Chen: “I see.”

He hadn’t realized that attending the Jeep event had left such valuable connections.

It seemed Fei Jie had networked and built those relationships on her own while he was chatting with Li Yue.

Nie Fei: “So it’s really your skills, Young President Xu, landing the Jeep project…

And from your connections.”

Xu Chen: “I just went for a meal…

It’s Fei Jie’s networking that locked in and nurtured those important ties.”

Connections were key assets; for Nie Fei to arrange this meeting, it went beyond a simple acquaintance.

In the time since the dinner, she must have kept in touch, built trust, and maintained the relationship.

“Acquaintances” alone held no business value.

Xu Zhiquan laughed again:

“Nie Fei and Young President Xu are both top-notch!

With you two, our electric bikes will sell like hotcakes!”

…

Cheers and applause erupted outside.

The three turned to see Xie Bingran and Fang Jun had arrived.

Xie Bingran was surrounded like a star, with photos, autographs, and cheers.

Xu Chen and the others headed out.

…

Xie Bingran had gone out with Fang Jun at noon and hadn’t been to the company.

This was the first time Jiang Yuze, Sun Lingfeng, and Tang Xiaowei were meeting Bing Ge.

Wu Feifei helped introduce her.

The three guys were a bit shy around Xie Bingran.

Even the usually smooth-talking Jiang Yuze seemed reserved.

Xu Chen remembered that during Jiang Yuze’s interview, he’d mentioned admiring Xie Bingran’s sports career and potential.

Xie Bingran wore a baseball cap but had taken off her mask.

Amid the crowd, she kept her cool demeanor.

Wu Feifei organized a photo session with Bing Ge.

Jiang Yuze, Sun Lingfeng, and Tang Xiaowei had prepared Bing Ge posters for signatures…

While everyone was still buzzing, Fang Jun walked over to Xu Chen, Nie Fei, and Xu Zhiquan with a straight face.

“Where were you this afternoon?” Xu Chen asked.

“Took your Bing Ge shopping,” Fang Jun said quietly.

Xu Chen: “Thanks for looking after her, Fang Jun.”

Fang Jun: “No problem.

Remember to take me to class tomorrow.”

Xu Chen: “……”

Xu Zhiquan: “?”

…

…

After the noise died down, dusk settled in.

Everyone gathered around the tables; the year-end celebration for “Ran Bing Sports” and “East Morning Star Advertising” was officially underway.

Gu Xinxi and Wu Feifei took on hosting duties, bantering back and forth with a lively party vibe.

After a long opening, they started introducing guests:

“Today, we’re thrilled to welcome three special guests from afar!”

“First, welcome our East Morning Star Co. chairman and Chenfeng Technology general manager, President Xu!”

Applause followed as Xu Zhiquan, a bit flustered, put out his cigarette and stood with a smile.

“Next, our lucky charm, East Morning Star Co.’s financial vice general manager, Fang Jun!”

Fang Jun stood with a blank expression, looking slightly awkward, but managed a stiff smile.

“And finally, our heaviest hitter…

Asia’s number one, China’s number one, and forever number one in our hearts—Bing Ge!”

Cheers and applause exploded.

Xie Bingran, sitting next to Xu Chen, stood coolly.

Her tough, slightly rigid expression made Xu Chen chuckle inside.

Once the applause faded, host Wu Feifei said:

“Could our head of the family, President Xu, say a few words?”

Xu Zhiquan hadn’t expected this and stood smiling:

“No need for a speech…

But today I’m truly happy!

I discussed it with our financial guru Fang Jun earlier; our group company will provide 100,000 yuan in cash prizes for a raffle.

The 100,000 yuan will be divided into eleven red envelopes from 2,800 to 28,000 yuan.

Everyone here today gets a share!”

Cheers erupted again!

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