Chapter 417: Shadows of the Advertising World

By 3 PM, the plane landed at Kun City Changshui Airport.

Xu Chen and Xie Bingran skipped a proper lunch, but at least they’d nibbled on first-class fruits and nuts.

Stepping out of the cabin, they felt a rush of cool, refreshing air.

The altitude was higher here than in Pengcheng, making it cooler yet comfortably warm.

No wonder it’s called the ‘Spring City’—the climate was perfect for living.

The sky overhead was a deep, clear blue, with wispy white clouds drifting lazily, lifting their spirits.

Each carried a suitcase, with backpacks slung over their shoulders—they traveled light.

The two purple sand teapot gift sets from Zhou Kai were already shipped from Pengcheng Airport, saving them the hassle.

Xu Chen checked his phone for the time; they were still on schedule.

This year’s ‘China Advertising Festival’ was at the Kun City International Convention Center, just a half-hour drive from the airport.

The ‘University Advertising Competition’ awards started at 4 PM, leaving them plenty of time.

As they headed to the exit, Xu Chen scrolled through the messages Gu Xinxi had sent earlier.

They included orders for the rental car and hotel.

At the airport parking area’s car pickup spot.

A local, dark-skinned, stocky man in a cowboy hat handled the handover with Xu Chen.

Xu Chen had rented a white Toyota Prado.

Considering a self-drive trip through Yunnan Province might involve bumpy national and provincial roads, an all-terrain SUV felt safer.

Xu Chen inspected the car thoroughly, especially the safety features.

The man helped load their luggage into the vehicle.

Once everything was set, they drove toward the Kun City International Convention Center.

Xie Bingran sat quietly in the passenger seat, tapping away on her phone.

Xu Chen couldn’t help asking:

“Who are you messaging?”

Xie Bingran: “Su Rong.”

“……”

Xie Bingran glanced at Xu Chen and smirked.

“I’ll take you out for mushrooms tonight,” Xu Chen said.

“Mushrooms?”

“Mushroom hotpot—we’ll eat it in the hotel. Safer that way.”

“Safer?”

Xu Chen smiled and explained:

“Some mushrooms are toxic if not handled right—they can cause hallucinations.”

“Oh.”

Half an hour later, at the Kun City International Convention Center.

Xu Chen parked the car and thought for a moment before saying:

“Maybe I should drop you off at the hotel so you don’t have to run around with me.”

Xie Bingran blinked her big eyes: “I want to stick with you.”

Xu Chen smiled: “Then put on your hat and mask.”

“Oh.”

They got out and spotted the massive ‘China Advertising Festival’ sign and flags from afar.

The area around the center was quiet, with few people passing by—everyone was probably inside.

Xu Chen checked his phone again; Gu Xinxi had sent a conference file.

This file was from the ‘Great Wall Advertising Award’.

To bring Xie Bingran in, Xu Chen needed to use East Morning Star Advertising’s name and register through the ‘Great Wall Award’ access.

Following the file’s instructions, they arrived at the entrance of Hall 1.

A huge backdrop read ‘China Advertising Great Wall Award’.

At the registration desk.

Xu Chen told the staff the name of East Morning Star Advertising.

After checking and registering, the polite staff handed them two passes and added:

‘The Great Wall Award ceremony is tomorrow afternoon.

For the next two days, you can access all ‘China Advertising Festival’ activities and exhibits with these passes.’

Xu Chen looked at the pass in his hand—it was an ‘SVIP’ one.

The ‘China Advertising Festival’ featured various awards like the Great Wall Award, Yellow River Award, and Public Service Award, including the ‘University Advertising Competition’ prizes.

Among them, the ‘Great Wall Advertising Award’ was the most authoritative.

As a winner of the ‘Great Wall Award’, Xu Chen naturally received an SVIP pass.

The staff continued:

‘Your seats for tomorrow’s ceremony are on the back of the pass.

Tomorrow, go to the designated area; seats will have ‘East Morning Star Advertising’ markers.’

Xu Chen flipped his SVIP pass and saw ‘Row 2, VIP Section’…

“Thanks!” Xu Chen said with a smile.

As Xu Chen prepared to leave, the staff handed him a printed guide:

‘Over the next two days, you can join various exhibits and events at the ‘China Advertising Festival’.

Also, there are hosted banquets tonight and tomorrow night—you can attend with your VIP pass…’

Xu Chen took the guide and replied:

“Thanks! We’ll check it out…”

With that, he led Xie Bingran away.

Once Xie Bingran had her pass, Xu Chen messaged his senior Zhao Siting:

[Hey senior, I’ve arrived at the Kun City International Convention Center. Where should I meet you?]

Xu Chen glanced at the time—it was almost 4 PM, right when the ‘University Advertising Competition’ awards would start.

A moment later, he got Zhao Siting’s reply:

[Come to the left back door of Hall 3. I’ll wait there.]

[Got it. I’ll be there in two or three minutes.]

Hall 3.

The entrance featured a large backdrop and several X stands.

Xu Chen quickly scanned the X stands, which displayed the authoritative judges and panel for this ‘University Advertising Competition’.

The massive backdrop announced ‘The Sixth University Advertising Competition Awards Ceremony’.

Below it, a big ‘Baidu’ logo stood out.

Xu Chen learned that Baidu was the title sponsor and main backer of this ‘University Advertising Competition’.

Xu Chen and Xie Bingran reached the left back door, where a tall, skinny guy with glasses stood waiting.

He had to be Zhao Siting—looked like the perfect ‘model student’ type.

“Zhao Siting, right? I’m Xu Chen.”

Zhao Siting nodded, eyeing Xu Chen up and down before handing him a ‘University Advertising Festival’ pass.

“Let’s go! We enter through the main door—they check passes there.”

As he spoke, Zhao Siting glanced at Xie Bingran in her baseball cap and mask, looking puzzled.

Xu Chen said:

“This is my friend. She’s coming with me.”

Zhao Siting:

“He doesn’t have a pass, so he can’t get in.”

He frowned slightly, seeming annoyed.

He hesitated but then added:

“This is a college-organized event, so it’s not okay to bring people in casually.

Plus, you didn’t mention it beforehand…”

Xu Chen felt a bit speechless but didn’t dwell on it. He turned to Xie Bingran and said:

“Let’s head in.”

Zhao Siting paused:

“Wait… you can’t just bring someone in.

Without a pass, the staff won’t let him through.”

Xu Chen: “It’s fine—we have another pass.”

As he spoke, Xie Bingran pulled out the SVIP pass and casually hung it around her neck.

Zhao Siting stared, taken aback.

But he frowned again, confused.

As a university participant, Zhao Siting had never seen an ‘SVIP’ pass before.

He looked up at this ‘guy’ in the hat and mask, wondering about his identity.

How did someone get an SVIP pass? Was he some advertising bigwig?

He didn’t look that old, and how did freshman Xu Chen know him?

Xu Chen ignored Zhao Siting and quickly led Xie Bingran to the main entrance of Hall 3.

The staff glanced at their passes and waved them through without a word.

Zhao Siting sucked in a breath and hurried after them.

He was still baffled but didn’t dare ask more.

Inside the hall, Xu Chen looked around—about three-quarters of the seats were filled with people.

Most were students from various universities, all young and eager faces buzzing with excitement.

Clearly, the attendees were mostly award winners from the ‘University Advertising Competition’—the top talents in advertising creativity.

On stage, a white-haired elder was sharing insights.

Xu Chen tuned in briefly—it was some lofty advertising theories and industry trends, probably from a university professor or associate professor.

Zhao Siting guided them to seats in the front row, near the middle.

“Sit here,” he whispered.

Xu Chen nodded and sat down.

He glanced at the ‘little rich girl’ beside him—she settled in quietly.

Xu Chen scanned the row, figuring these were his schoolmates.

Sure enough, he spotted Zhang Yuchen, the class monitor from the photography major he’d met in Doha.

He didn’t recognize the other seniors and juniors.

Next to Zhao Siting sat the department head, Ni Zhi.

Ni Zhi turned and nodded at Xu Chen with a smile.

Xu Chen smiled back and nodded in greeting.

At that moment, the group of classmates behind Ni Zhi turned to look at Xu Chen, whispering among themselves.

They were probably curious about the late-arriving double national first-prize winner.

Xu Chen’s dual ‘National First Prizes’ had caused quite a stir in the college and sparked lots of discussion in group chats.

Winning two was rare, especially for a freshman like him.

Zhao Siting turned to Xu Chen, hesitating as if he wanted to say something.

Xu Chen noticed his reluctance and waited with a smile.

Zhao Siting leaned in and whispered:

“Xu Chen, there’s something I need to tell you…”

Xu Chen: “Go ahead, senior.”

Zhao Siting: “Since you didn’t show up this morning, Dean Lin asked about it, and I had to tell him the truth.

For the awards later, he’s arranged for another student to go up and accept in your place because he thought you might not make it.”

“……”

Xu Chen thought, ‘So that’s what happened.’

No wonder Zhao Siting had said not to rush when he messaged from the airport—they’d already lined up a substitute.

Xu Chen didn’t mind, but he asked with a smile:

“Since I’m here now, can I go up and accept it myself?”

Zhao Siting frowned, looking troubled.

Xu Chen was puzzled—what was the big issue?

Zhao Siting: “Dean Lin was upset about you not coming this morning and being late this afternoon…”

He is a bit angry.”

“……”

Xu Chen felt a wave of exasperation.

Rumors were true—Dean Lin Ruyang had a quirky temper, likely from his artist background.

Xu Chen chuckled and said:

“I’m fine with whatever. No big deal.”

Zhao Siting looked relieved and whispered:

“Thanks for understanding…

Dean Lin is up front in the guests’ seats, so I can’t go ask him now…”

Xu Chen just nodded with a smile and didn’t push it.

But nearby, Department Head Ni Zhi seemed to overhear.

He leaned in and said quietly:

“Just let Xu Chen go up for his award. Why make it complicated?

He earned it, and he’s here now, so he should accept it himself.”

Zhao Siting grimaced, still uneasy.

Ni Zhi: “Don’t worry about Dean Lin—if he asks, say I arranged it.”

Zhao Siting scratched his head but nodded obediently.

On stage, the guest professor finished his talk, and applause erupted.

The host stepped up and bridged to the next part.

“Thank you to Professor Liu for that insightful share—I know everyone here learned a lot…”

“Now, for tonight’s highlight:

The Sixth National University Advertising Competition Awards Ceremony!”

A roar of applause followed.

The students in the audience, mostly finalists, could barely contain their excitement.

As the clapping died down, the host continued:

“Next, we’re honored to introduce tonight’s distinguished guests and award presenters…”

Xu Chen listened briefly—the guests included famous advertising professors from various universities, executives from sponsors like Baidu and Gao Solid Clean, an advertising association leader, and local cultural officials from Kun City.

Among the professors was Dean Lin Ruyang from Tonghai University.

Another was Professor Jin Changhai from Xiamen University, chair of this ‘University Advertising Competition’ judging panel.

Xu Chen’s win in the print category was tied to Jin Changhai— he’d studied the judges and tailored his Gao Solid Clean ‘Bite Through It’ campaign to match the professor’s style.

It paid off, though even he was surprised to snag the ‘National First Prize’.

…”