Chapter 448: Twists in the Advertising Game

Sandy said with a smile, “Really! I’ve got the inside scoop firsthand!”

They say that after all the pitches this morning, Li Yanhong declared on the spot that our Dentsu plan was the best.”

With the Baidu chairman saying that, everyone else just chimed in agreement—it’s a done deal!”

The others heard this and turned to congratulate Wu Tianfu.

“Congrats, Tif! You’ve landed another major client!”

“Yeah, we’ve been trying to break into internet clients, and here you go, nailing it in one shot!”

“Tif’s got the foresight—choosing to present that plan today and even adding a user report!”

Wu Tianfu smiled calmly, as if it was all expected.

…

…

In the McCann office in Beijing.

Mo Kangxun and his team had rushed back to the company for a meeting.

During a break in the meeting, they were quickly eating lunch in the conference room.

A young subordinate got a message and glanced up at his boss, Mo Kangxun, with a strange look.

Mo Kangxun asked, “What’s up?”

“The Baidu pitch results seem to be out.”

“The market manager I deal with just messaged me privately about it.”

Mo Kangxun chuckled:

“From your expression, I guess we didn’t win?”

The colleague checked his phone and said:

“It’s Dentsu—Tif’s team…”

Mo Kangxun nodded:

“Not surprising. Tif’s always great at pitches.”

“He’s a local creative talent with a deep understanding of domestic users and clients, often pulling out clever tricks in bids…”

“We could learn a thing or two from him in that area.”

The other young subordinates stayed quiet, but they looked disappointed.

After all, they’d all worked on the project together, and not winning hit them hard.

One colleague asked:

“What’s Dentsu’s plan? Can we get a look?”

“Their plan won, so they’re probably not sharing it until it’s live.”

Mo Kangxun smiled: “I’ll ask Tif if he’s willing to share.”

…

…

In the Ideal International Building at Zhongguancun, Baidu headquarters.

Only Zhao Ling and Miao Xiaoyu were in the large conference room.

They stared at the desk phone, both showing a hint of nervousness.

Because on the other end was Baidu’s ‘boss’s wife,’ Melissa Ma Dongmin, and also Zhao Ling’s direct superior in the reporting line.

Unlike Li Yanhong’s gentle demeanor, Melissa was much more forceful and sharp.

Plus, she was Zhao Ling’s immediate boss in the chain.

Talking to Melissa on a call made Zhao Ling feel on edge…

Just moments ago, Zhao Ling had sent over the morning’s pitch plans for Melissa to review and was waiting for feedback.

Xu Chen’s reminder at noon had made Zhao Ling take a deep breath—this project oversight in not syncing with Melissa was a mistake.

She’d thought that since Li Yanhong was personally involved, he was the main decision-maker.

But Xu Chen’s heads-up made her cautious.

Even though Melissa was on vacation, as the senior leader in marketing, the project needed her input.

In a way, Melissa was like Li Yanhong’s ‘leader’ at home.

After a short wait, Melissa Ma Dongmin’s voice came through the phone:

“What do you think of these four plans, Zhao?”

Zhao Ling paused, quickly thinking it over.

She hadn’t yet updated Melissa on Li Yanhong’s choice.

Zhao Ling thought for a moment and said:

“Our marketing team discussed it and leaned towards plans 3 and 4—Dentsu and East Morning Star Advertising.”

Zhao Ling personally favored East Morning Star Advertising’s plan; her earlier comments to Xu Chen weren’t just polite—she really found the ‘Tang Bohu versus the foreigners’ idea fun and engaging.

But since Li Yanhong picked Dentsu’s ‘one net to catch them all, steady and precise’ concept, she had to mention it.

On the other end, Melissa paused briefly before saying:

“Li Yanhong was in the meeting, right? What did he go for?”

Zhao Ling: “Robin picked Dentsu’s plan—’Baidu Search: One net to catch them all, steady and precise.'”

Melissa: “That idiot…”

Zhao Ling: “??!”

Miao Xiaoyu: “!!!”

The line went silent as Zhao Ling and Miao Xiaoyu froze.

Melissa continued:

“East Morning Star Advertising’s plan is clearly better!”

“We’re competing against Google, and the ‘Baidu understands Chinese better’ theme directly highlights our edge over them—that’s spot-on!”

“This ad is mainly for netizens, and they hate those pushy traditional ads…”

“The ‘Tang Bohu takes on foreigners’ video is fun, topical, and has real potential to go viral online!”

“From any angle, this one’s the winner!”

Zhao Ling and Miao Xiaoyu exchanged glances, both looking troubled.

Zhao Ling cleared her throat, mustering courage to say:

“The meeting ended with Robin choosing Dentsu’s plan and instructing us to move fast on the contract.”

Melissa: “Robin’s a genius with tech, but what does he know about marketing? Nothing!”

Zhao Ling frowned but kept quiet.

Melissa: “I’ll call Robin right now. You two don’t worry about that side.”

“Go with East Morning Star Advertising’s plan and push things forward quickly—this promo needs to roll out soon!”

Zhao Ling: “Got it. We’ll get our team on it right away!”

…

After hanging up, Zhao Ling let out a breath, still shaken.

She thought, good thing Robin took the hit—today she dodged a direct scolding from Melissa…

Miao Xiaoyu said, “Boss, are we really using East Morning Star Advertising’s plan?”

Zhao Ling: “Why not?”

“Melissa’s called it, so what can Robin say?”

She suddenly smiled:

“This is actually great—East Morning Star’s plan is clearly better.”

Miao Xiaoyu: “You’re smart, boss, thinking to check in with Melissa.”

Zhao Ling didn’t respond but couldn’t help taking another deep breath.

After all, the reminder to report to Melissa came from young Xu Chen at noon.

She paused, feeling an odd mix of wariness toward that ‘young Xu Chen.’

Miao Xiaoyu: “Should I contact East Morning Star Advertising now?”

Zhao Ling thought: “Hold off a bit, wait until Melissa talks to Robin…”

Miao Xiaoyu: “Okay.”

But in just a minute or two, Zhao Ling got a message from Li Yanhong:

[Let’s go with the fourth pitch from this morning—the East Morning Star Advertising one…]

Zhao Ling smiled wryly; clearly, Robin had gotten the call from the ‘boss’s wife.’

She turned to Miao Xiaoyu:

“You’re good to go—Robin’s side is sorted.”

Miao Xiaoyu: “That quick?”

Zhao Ling: “That’s how the boss’s wife operates…”

…

…

After lunch.

With time to spare, Xu Chen took Sun Aimi and Su Rong by taxi to Qianmen Street in Beijing.

Since they were in the capital, they had to pick up some local specialties to send back.

It was also a chance to cheer up Aimi, who was down about losing the project, by wandering the streets.

Qianmen Street bustled with people coming and going—mostly tourists, by the look of it.

Xu Chen headed straight to a Daoxiang Village shop and bought plenty of authentic Beijing pastries.

Though called ‘Beijing pastries,’ they originated from Suzhou and Hangzhou, blending with old capital traditions from the previous dynasty.

Xu Chen got a big pile, packed into two small boxes—one shipped to the Shanghai company, the other to Morning Wind Park in Tiancheng.

He also bought two handy small boxes to carry.

Su Rong picked up two large boxes—one mailed to school, the other opened right away, happily sharing with Xu Chen and Sun Aimi.

Xu Chen savored a piece of jujube pastry, the flavor lingering on his lips.

Su Rong and Sun Aimi shared a hawthorn flatbread.

The sweet treat seemed to lift Aimi’s spirits a bit.

…

Xu Chen checked the time and said:

“We need to head to the airport.”

“Aimi, enjoy your time in Beijing, but stay safe.”

Sun Aimi: “Okay, I’ll be fine!”

Xu Chen: “Beijing’s pretty safe—it’s right under the emperor’s feet, after all.”

His phone suddenly rang; pulling it from his pocket, he saw it was Zhao Ling calling.

“I’ll take this call!”

Xu Chen stepped aside with the phone.

…

Sun Aimi and Su Rong finished their hawthorn flatbread and grabbed a red date nut cake, happily breaking it apart to share.

Both were little foodies, cheeks puffed like cute squirrels.

Xu Chen returned with a smile and said to Sun Aimi,

“Congrats, Aimi!”

Sun Aimi, mouth full of nut cake, blinked her round eyes and said, “Huh?”

Xu Chen grinned: “Just got a call from Zhao—Baidu’s project is ours!”

Sun Aimi froze, looking completely surprised.

Su Rong swallowed her bite and said in astonishment:

“But at lunch, they said the project went to another company!”

Xu Chen: “Baidu changed their mind. Now it’s East Morning Star Advertising’s!”

“Zhao’s pushing us to sign the contract fast and move on production.”

Su Rong lit up with joy: “Is that real?”

Xu Chen: “Why would I kid you?”

Su Rong was thrilled and turned to Sun Aimi, only to see her crying.

Xu Chen saw the tears and didn’t know what to do: “Aimi, why cry now? This is great news…”

Sun Aimi wiped her eyes and smiled sweetly: “I’m just so happy!”

Su Rong: “What happened? It was set for the other company, and now it’s ours?”

Xu Chen: “Melissa made the call, specifically wanting our ‘Tang Bohu takes on foreigners’ idea.”

Su Rong and Sun Aimi glanced at each other, quickly piecing it together.

No wonder Xu Chen had reminded Zhao to update Melissa at noon…

Su Rong pouted at Xu Chen: “You’re like a mastermind!”

Xu Chen, confused: “Huh? How so?”

Su Rong: “You’re a total strategist! How else could you predict this and get Zhao to talk to the boss’s wife?”

“A project that’s all wrapped up got flipped with just your comment at lunch!”

Xu Chen looked innocent: “I just mentioned it offhand.”

Su Rong laughed happily: “That Dentsu company must be fuming—”

“They thought they had it, and poof, it’s gone!”

Sun Aimi added: “Boss, you’re amazing!”

Xu Chen: “It’s not me—it’s Aimi’s outstanding pitch today!”

Sun Aimi smiled sweetly: “I know you’re cheering me up, but I’m still thrilled!”

Xu Chen: “Share the good news with Xin Xin and have her contact Miao Xiaoyu.”

“First, kick off the contract process, then plan the project execution.”

“Check client needs for filming and follow-ups, and see what resources we have on our end.”

Sun Aimi: “Sure, I’ll call Xin Xin later.”

Xu Chen thought more: “Aimi, with projects piling up, Tang Xiaowei might not handle it alone.”

“Xin’s recruiting interns—mostly juniors and seniors from our school, including design majors. Pick a couple to help out.”

Sun Aimi nodded: “Okay, I’ll coordinate with Xin.”

Xu Chen: “Also, look for full-time hires after the new year. We need to grow the team with more projects coming in.”

Sun Aimi: “Got it, boss!”

…

With a little time left, Xu Chen browsed around more.

He stepped into a tobacco shop and bought several packs of local Beijing cigarettes—Mudan and Badaling.

Su Rong looked puzzled: “Who are these for? Your dad?”

Xu Chen: “For Bing Ge’s brothers.”

Su Rong, confused: “Bing Ge’s brothers?”

Xu Chen glanced at the time: “We really have to go—time for the flight!”

…

…

That evening, in a small bar by Houhai in Beijing.

Wu Tianfu and his young team enjoyed the rare downtime on a business trip.

Trips like this had perks, turning gaps into mini vacations.

And with today’s win, ‘Tif’ was in high spirits.

Wu Tianfu ordered a quirky cocktail based on local Erguotou liquor.

He took a sip and thought it was all hype—not tasty at all.

Still, Tif was thrilled and even jumped on stage, singing an old Cui Jian song with the live band.

His young subordinates cheered his ‘singing’ loudly, clapping and whooping, drawing annoyed glances from other patrons.

The young woman named Sandy felt her phone buzz, glanced at it, and frowned, her face turning sour.