Chapter 420: Celebrations and Connections

Xu Chen replied in the company group chat:

[Thanks everyone—I’ll bring back some souvenirs from Kun City!]

Meanwhile, Miss Wu sent Xu Chen a private message:

[Congratulations! You’re amazing—winning that big award without even mentioning it to us first.]

Xu Chen replied:

[Are you keeping a close eye on me? You spotted the news right away…

I didn’t even know the press release had gone out.]

After sending the message, Xu Chen felt a sudden awkwardness, like he’d overstepped, but it was too late to take it back.

Wu Feifei sent a disdainful emoji and replied:

[One of my classmates was in that competition and just shared the news in our group.

I happened to see it and wanted to congratulate you!]

[Thanks, Miss Wu! So, what kind of souvenir do you want?]

[Flower cakes…]

Xu Chen thought it over—Yunnan Province’s flower cakes made a perfect gift.

He could just buy a couple of boxes and ship them back.

…

…

Meanwhile,

near the Kun City International Convention Center, in a local restaurant,

the teachers and students from Tonghai University were enjoying a celebratory dinner.

Dean Lin Ruyang and Department Head Ni Zhi sat at the head table, both looking thrilled.

Especially Dean Lin Ruyang, who started off all serious and stern.

But soon enough, he dropped the act, throwing an arm around Ni Zhi and chatting away happily, without a trace of the reserved professor vibe.

Ni Zhi knew just how to lift Lin’s spirits—a few words and he had him beaming.

“Our Dean Lin has such a steady hand!”

“I bet in three years, Lin will turn Tonghai University’s advertising department into the top in the nation!”

“Today’s been a real win for our college!”

“Two ‘National First Prizes’—I saw the look on Professor Jin Changhai’s face, and it was priceless!”

“Xiamen University got totally outshined by us…”

“Professor Jin’s students won more awards, but they were all just Excellence Awards and Third Prizes…”

“Not like our Dean Lin, who’s got two National First Prizes under his belt!”

“Out of all the judging professors, our Dean Lin has the most prestige!”

“Dean Lin, with all the award winners here, why not share a few more words of wisdom?”

“Give these kids a boost!”

…

After Ni Zhi’s string of compliments, Lin Ruyang was grinning from ear to ear.

The students had never seen anything like it and were stunned.

Especially Ni Zhi, who was usually so straight-laced, talking about passion and literary integrity—who knew he could be so flattering?

Lin Ruyang chuckled, patted Ni Zhi on the shoulder, and gave him an approving look.

Lin straightened up a bit before speaking:

“We can’t say it like that—we have to acknowledge Professor Jin and Xiamen University’s hard work!”

“Though they fell short on the top prizes compared to our school and college, they did edge us out in numbers…”

“Ni, I have to criticize you a bit.”

“I’ve said it before—we need to stay humble, not get cocky.”

“Learn from others’ strengths, grow together!”

Ni Zhi: “You’re right, Dean Lin. I’ll reflect on that!”

Lin Ruyang: “Of course, with seven National First Prizes total and our college taking two, that’s something to be proud of!”

Lin Ruyang squinted and scanned the attentive students, then smiled and said:

“Xu Chen, winning two National First Prizes is fantastic!”

“We’ll give special recognition for that, but we also need to keep you grounded.”

“Stay humble in success and keep improving!”

“For instance, being late this morning—that’s worth calling out!”

“I led the group to see the exhibits and hear the lectures—that’s a prime chance for learning and growth.”

He took a sip of his tea.

Ni Zhi managed an awkward smile, suddenly feeling the pressure.

He knew Lin’s style well—this meant he wanted Xu Chen to step up and show some loyalty…

The students at the table exchanged uneasy glances.

Ni Zhi cleared his throat and said quietly:

“Dean Lin, Xu Chen had something come up—he couldn’t make it…”

Lin Ruyang paused, his face reddening as he slapped the table:

“Nonsense!”

“He skipped the morning and now this dinner?”

“Where does that leave my face as dean?!”

…

…

That evening, in the hotel gym,

Xie Bingran wore shorts and a tank top, running on the treadmill.

Xu Chen was in workout clothes too, but he sat on a dumbbell bench nearby, holding a water bottle and quietly admiring the rich girl’s long legs.

They were… more appealing the longer he looked.

Bing Ge’s athletic training had really shaped those legs.

Of course,

they felt even better…

Though Xu Chen hadn’t dared to touch them freely yet.

Sometimes he thought about being bolder, but he worried he couldn’t handle her if things escalated…

Yeah.

Around Bing Ge, he had to play it safe.

Xu Chen chugged some cold water to stifle his mischievous thoughts.

He reminded himself not to disrespect the cool Bing Ge.

Even as he lectured himself, his eyes wouldn’t budge.

It was almost unbelievable.

How had his skinny middle school desk mate grown such amazing legs?

It had to be thanks to his “feeding” her back then—mostly his doing, really.

Thinking that way, Xu Chen felt pretty proud.

The Asian Games champion—he’d helped make that happen. What a boost!

Shouldn’t the country give him an award for that?

…

Bing Ge ran for over half an hour before stepping off, sweaty.

Xu Chen grabbed a clean white towel and walked over with a smile.

Xie Bingran reached for it, but Xu Chen said:

“Let me help you wipe down!”

He said it with a sly grin.

Bing Ge shot him a wary look and snatched the towel, drying off herself.

The workout wasn’t over yet.

Bing Ge moved to the strength equipment for more training.

So Xu Chen switched chairs and kept watching…

The more he looked, the more he wanted to.

He’d already downed two big bottles of water…

Beyond just admiring, Xu Chen picked up a few tips.

Bing Ge was a pro athlete, after all, with top-notch coaching.

Watching her use the machines and do bodyweight exercises was eye-opening.

Forty minutes later, Bing Ge finally finished.

She wiped the sweat from her face and walked over coolly.

Xu Chen stayed in his chair, his eyes following those long legs as they approached.

“Let’s go!”

Bing Ge said curtly and headed for the door.

Xu Chen glanced at her back as she left.

He held back his youthful impulses and sighed deeply.

Youth really was a struggle.

…

…

The next morning,

after Xu Chen and the rich girl had breakfast, he headed back to his room to freshen up.

“I need to swing by the venue—can’t keep disappearing like this.”

“It’s the teachers leading us through the exhibits…”

“If you find it boring, Bing Ge, you can stay at the hotel and train.”

Xie Bingran: “I’m coming with you.”

Xu Chen smiled: “What, afraid some senior will steal me away?”

Xie Bingran: “You can try.”

…

…

Xu Chen drove to the venue, arriving a bit later than the main group.

Feeling a little guilty, he messaged senior Zhao Siting:

[Hey senior, I’ve just arrived. Where should I meet up?]

[Come to Hall 2. Dean Lin and Professor Ni are leading us through the exhibits!]

[Got it, on my way!]

[No rush, we’re still lining up to get in.]

Xu Chen glanced back at the rich girl—her baseball cap and mask were on.

“Bing Ge going out is like being a celebrity—all geared up.”

“If you’re the star, what does that make me?”

“Your bodyguard.”

Bing Ge sized up Xu Chen and said dismissively:

“With that build?”

Xu Chen looked indignant:

“One day I’ll make you see what this build can do…”

“…”

…

In Hall 2,

huge backdrops displayed titles like ‘China Advertising Festival,’ ‘Great Wall Advertising Award Tour,’ ‘Yellow River Advertising Award Tour,’ ‘OneShow Creative Camp,’ and ‘FutureIdea Art Gathering.’

It seemed they’d gathered works from several awards in this hall.

The place was packed.

At the entrance, groups of professionals networked.

Xu Chen and Xie Bingran didn’t linger and headed straight for the entry.

From afar, he spotted the line of people—all students, by the look.

Getting closer, he saw senior Zhao Siting and the other seniors in the queue.

But no sign of Dean Lin Ruyang or Professor Ni Zhi.

Xu Chen went over and greeted Zhao Siting first.

Zhao Siting said:

“We’re queuing up—join at the back.”

Xu Chen: “Where are Dean Lin and Professor Ni?”

Zhao Siting: “They’re at some networking event and haven’t arrived yet.”

“We’ll go in and browse while we wait.”

Xu Chen: “Okay.”

He looked back—the line was long; from the end, it’d take at least twenty minutes.

As he pondered, Xie Bingran nudged his arm.

Xu Chen turned, and she pointed toward the entrance.

Xu Chen smiled—it was the SVIP lane…

They slipped on their SVIP passes and walked quickly to the entry.

The staff glanced at their badges and waved them through without a question.

Xie Bingran eyed the regular line with its checks and said:

“That SVIP pass of yours is handy.”

Xu Chen explained: “It’s from the Great Wall Award.”

“The Great Wall Award is the most prestigious at the festival…”

“And since I’m a winner, it makes sense.”

Xie Bingran: “So, do you have another award to pick up?”

Xu Chen: “Of course! I’m here in Kun City to collect them all!”

Xie Bingran: “…”

…

Watching Xu Chen and Xie Bingran go in, the seniors behind stared in confusion.

“How did Xu Chen get in just like that?”

“Yeah, no line or anything…”

“Is that the National First Prize perk?”

“Doubt it—the University Advertising Competition isn’t that big here.”

Senior Zhao Siting, knowing a bit more, whispered:

“They have SVIP passes.”

“SVIP? Where do you get those?”

Zhao Siting shrugged: “If I knew, I’d have one!”

“SVIP isn’t something you just grab…”

Senior Zhang Yuchen from the photography class paused, remembering something.

Back at the Asian Games in Doha, Xu Chen had a purple SVIP ticket too.

Now here at the festival, another SVIP?

…

…

Once inside, Xu Chen and Xie Bingran looked around.

The hall was spacious and busy, but not overwhelmingly noisy.

Everyone was focused on the exhibits, keeping conversations low-key.

This was a creative crowd, after all…

The space divided into sections for the Great Wall Award, Yellow River Award, OneShow, and FutureIdea.

Off to the east, a smaller area was for the University Advertising Competition, though it was less impressive than the others.

With Zhao Siting and the others still waiting, Xu Chen led Xie Bingran to browse.

In the Yellow River Award section, they saw hung ads and screens playing winning videos and radio spots.

The Yellow River Award focused on public service, contrasting with the Great Wall’s commercial side.

Xu Chen noticed CCTV dominated the wins—being the state media, they always had public service slots.

Themes covered everything from environmental issues and anti-smoking to promoting positivity, values, love, and charity.

The big screens showed this year’s winners plus classic past ads.

Like that CCTV spot ‘Mom, Let Me Wash Your Feet,’ which stirred up old memories for Xu Chen from his middle school days…

Around that time, he and Xie Bingran were desk mates…

As Xu Chen wandered absently, Xie Bingran came over and asked:

“Is your winning work here? I want to see it.”

Xu Chen thought: “Probably.”

He glanced around and guided her to the University Advertising Competition area.

His ‘National First Prize’ entries were front and center.

“Baidu Knows” had a simple display board.

Besides his slogan ‘Empowering Everyone Equally,’ it included judge comments and Baidu Knows’ intro.

Xu Chen read the judge feedback—it was from Baidu’s marketing VP, Zhao Ling.

“…”