Rebirth: My dad is too obedient

Chapter 591 Extra - The Taste (Part 2)

Heavenly City.

The town's junior high school, on campus.

Xie Bingran was surrounded by a group of people as she wandered around the campus.

He was surrounded by reporters and photographers, who were still gathering and editing news material.

A vice principal led the way, enthusiastically introducing the school's situation to Xie Bingran and several city and provincial leaders.

But in fact, Xie Bingran is probably more familiar with the teaching buildings, classrooms, canteen, and bicycle sheds than the newly arrived vice principal.

Even after all these years, this junior high school in the town hasn't changed much.

Apart from the fact that the teaching and office buildings have been repainted, everything else is pretty much the same as when I was studying here...

When the group arrived at the perimeter of the bicycle shed, Xie Bingran suddenly stopped.

The others, unaware of the reason, also stopped in their tracks.

Xie Bingran looked up at a blackboard on the wall, lost in thought.

She naturally recalled some memories from her school days.

Back then, when it came to drawing the blackboard newspaper in class, it was always my deskmate who did it.

I can still remember those beautiful drawings and illustrations he casually sketched with colored chalk...

The vice principal assumed she was interested in the content of the bulletin board, so he took the opportunity to introduce it:

"This is a themed blackboard bulletin board that the school arranged for last month's Arbor Day activities."

Our school is rooted in rural areas, and the annual Arbor Day activities are a key social practice project organized by the school and with significant student participation…

Xie Bingran was pulled back to her senses. She didn't say anything, but simply nodded.

The group wandered around and eventually arrived at the "main teaching building".

The vice principal had initially directed them to go left, but Xie Bingran paused in the hallway and turned around to go in another direction.

The vice principal hesitated for a moment, then forced a smile and led his men to follow...

Outside a classroom on the first floor, Xie Bingran stopped and looked into the classroom.

"The first floor is full of classrooms for the first year of junior high school. Classes 1, 2, and 3 here are all our top experimental classes..."

The vice principal was still explaining, not caring whether others were listening or not.

Xie Bingran looked through the window at the rows of desks inside, lost in thought.

This classroom is naturally the one I used to be in.

The seat in the middle, towards the back, was where I used to sit with my deskmate...

Xie Bingran suddenly frowned and then twitched her nose slightly.

She sniffed silently.

Like a puppy discovering a familiar and interesting scent.

……

……

The office of "Dongchen Advertising" in Hangzhou.

Xu Chen stubbed out his cigarette and said:
"Go pay the water and electricity bills first, and wait two more days for the rent."

An Qing sighed inwardly and simply hummed in response.

Xu Chen: "Let's call Liu Bohao over and take a look at the projects that are up for bidding."

An Qing: "Okay, I'll go take care of the water and electricity bills first. We'll have a meeting in fifteen minutes."

……

meeting room.

Power was finally restored, and An Qing was able to connect the projector.

"These are the ones that were put out to tender and competitive bidding..."

But in reality, most clients have requirements regarding the size of the advertising agency; if we participate in a pitch, we're just cannon fodder.

Xu Chen: "So be it, being cannon fodder is better than being idle."

He glanced at the two young employees in front of him and then said:

"It's alright, I'll mainly be in charge of the plan."

The two young men looked at each other, unsure of what to say next.

An Qing paused for a moment, then continued:

"Liu Bohao and I did some selection, mainly focusing on projects in Hangzhou."

After all, working on proposals from other places involves business trips, and we don't have any travel expenses left..."

The atmosphere in the three-person meeting room was somber and oppressive.

Xu Chen mentally prepared himself, sat up straighter, and took the mouse from An Qing.

He flipped through several projects in the document, saying nothing but shaking his head inwardly.

These are all unreliable small projects, and most likely they're just scams to get advertising copy from companies.

He thought for a while:

"Are there any projects in Shanghai? They're closer to us."

An Qing: "Yes, but they are all projects of large companies, so our chances of winning them are even lower."

Xu Chen lit another cigarette: "It's nothing, just taking a look."

An Qing remained silent, picked up the mouse on the table, and opened another document.

Xu Chen looked up and glanced around, but his eyes were fixed on a line of text.

What is this "Xie Bingran Sports Brand"?

An Qing: "It's that sports star Xie Bingran, she wants to start her own sports brand..."

We're currently soliciting bids for advertising proposals.

Xu Chen took a drag of his cigarette, a complex and indescribable feeling welling up inside him:

Are there any specific requirements?

An Qing: "We don't have very detailed requirements yet. The client requested that we communicate our needs in person."

Xu Chen thought for a moment and said, "Then let's get in touch and discuss it."

An Qing hesitated:

"This project may be too late."

Xu Chen: "Why?"

An Qing: "The deadline they set for submitting the proposal is the day after tomorrow."

Xu Chen: "Then let's go over to communicate tomorrow, make a plan that night, and submit it the day after tomorrow."

An Qing exclaimed "Huh?" and turned to look at Liu Bohao.

Xu Chen took a drag of his cigarette, smiled, and said:

"Perfect timing, let's go to Shanghai to relax!"

The two young men were somewhat confused.

Xu Chen, a cigarette dangling from his mouth, leaned back in his chair, hands behind his head.
"If we win this project, let's celebrate in Shanghai."

If we can't win them over, we'll have a farewell dinner in Shanghai, which will also serve as our last company trip.

An Qing and Liu Bohao remained silent, each feeling a sense of sorrow.

Liu Bohao straightened his expression and said:
"Then let's work through the night tomorrow for this plan!"
At least we have to make something that satisfies ourselves!

An Qing nodded vigorously:

"it is good!!"

……

……

"Xie Bingran Sports School" is located in Jiading District of Shanghai, which is quite far from the city center.

Given the ongoing construction of the "Bingran Sports Center," it's indeed impossible to build one in the prime urban center of Shanghai.

In addition, both the sports school and the sports stadium have some official cooperation with the district government of Jiading; otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to acquire such a large piece of land.

The preparatory office for the "Xie Bingran Sports Brand" is naturally located in the office building of the "Xie Bingran Sports School".

Yesterday afternoon, An Qing contacted the clients here.

Early this morning, Xu Chen rented a Toyota Corolla and drove over with An Qing and Liu Bohao.

He originally owned an Audi Q5, but after losing his job, he sold it during the six months he struggled to pay off his mortgage.

……

While on the phone, An Qing directed Xu Chen to drive directly into the "sports school".

Xu Chen gripped the steering wheel and looked around, thinking to himself that his old classmate had really made something of himself; this school was indeed spacious and luxurious.

However, as we drove in, apart from the sign at the school gate, we didn't see any other posters or text information related to Xie Bingran.

It's just like a normal sports academy...

On the open training field, some teenagers were doing morning exercises, with three or four teachers in coaching uniforms nearby.

Xu Chen wasn't very familiar with the business model of the "sports school" and didn't know whether these students were in a short-term amateur training program or long-term athlete education...

The office building was only six stories high, brand new and bright. The person who came out to greet us introduced herself as the "Marketing Director" and was named Wang Xiaolei.

"I'm sorry to have made you come all this way..."

Because our project is still confidential, we cannot send written documents; we can only communicate in person.

Wang Xiaolei spoke with some apology.

She was also wearing a tracksuit, and it was clear that she had some "athlete" background.

I'm currently in charge of marketing, but I don't know how professional I am.

After a brief introduction and pleasantries, Wang Xiaolei led them to the conference room.

As she walked, she spoke again:

"Tomorrow is our pitch day, and also the last day to submit our proposals..."

Xu Chen: "We know that, so we will finish the plan today."

Wang Xiaolei seemed to want to say something, but in the end she just smiled.

An Qing suddenly became excited and said:
Will I see Xie Bingran today?

Wang Xiaolei: "Brother Bing is in a meeting outside today and probably won't be back until the afternoon."

If you come to present your proposal tomorrow, she might attend and listen!

An Qing seemed very interested in Xie Bingran:

Why do you call her "Brother Bing"?

Wang Xiaolei: "Before, everyone in the team was used to calling her 'Brother Bing'."

Xu Chen remained silent.

It seems that among the people present, only he knows the earliest and most authentic origin of the name "Brother Bing".

However, the prospect of meeting Xie Bingran in person at the proposal meeting tomorrow still stirred up some unease in Xu Chen's heart.

For some reason, he suddenly felt a sense of avoidance, as if he was afraid of being recognized by his old classmate.

……

About forty minutes later, Wang Xiaolei saw Xu Chen and the other two out of the meeting room and then took them for a short tour of the school.

The requirements have been communicated.

The most important aspects are the naming of the "Xie Bingran Sports Brand", the logo design, and the advertising slogan.

Wang Xiaolei also briefly shared some information about the preparation of the products.

Xie Bingran's sports brand has already found a manufacturer, which is also a domestic OEM for Nike and Adidas sports products, so the product quality is definitely top-notch.

The first product line will be athletic shoes. Since Xie Bingran herself is a track and field athlete, she will also personally participate in the shoe design...

Wang Xiaolei led Xu Chen and the other two on a brief tour of the office building and gave them some introductions.

Xu Chen paused briefly as he passed an office.

The metal nameplate simply reads "Xie Bingran".

Wang Xiaolei: "This is Bing Ge's office, but he's not here today."

……

It was lunchtime, so Wang Xiaolei led the three of them directly to the school cafeteria.

It was similar to a typical university cafeteria, with many sports students and coaches queuing up for food.

The line wasn't long, and a few people were in line quickly.

They got their meals first, and then Wang Xiaolei helped them swipe their meal cards.

An Qing: "Xiao Lei, how much is this? I'll transfer the money to you later."

Wang Xiaolei smiled and said, "No need, the cafeteria meals are all reimbursed."

An Qing flashed a sweet smile: "Thank you, Sister Xiaolei!"

Xu Chen couldn't help but ask:

"Can I eat here if I don't have a meal card?"

Wang Xiaolei pointed to the doorway:

“There’s a service counter over there where you can buy paper ‘meal tickets’.”

However, it's a bit more expensive than using the school meal card.

……

After a simple meal, Xu Chen, along with the two young men, said goodbye to Wang Xiaolei and left.

The time for the proposal has also been set for 4 p.m. tomorrow.

Wang Xiaolei still considered the situation on behalf of "Dongchen Advertising" and deliberately scheduled the report for the afternoon.

After all, as of now, Dongchen hasn't even started working on a plan yet...

Xu Chen drove An Qing and Liu Bohao to a hotel two kilometers away.

The cost wasn't too bad, considering this area is Jiading District, which is considered the "rural" part of Shanghai.

After a short rest, the three of them gathered in Xu Chen's room to discuss the plan.

Xu Chen had already bought Red Bull and chocolate, since he was destined to stay up until the wee hours tonight.

……

……

at the same time.

As evening approached, a white minivan drove into "Xie Bingran Sports School".

The car stopped in front of the office building.

The back door opened, and Xie Bingran stepped out with long legs.

She just returned to Shanghai yesterday and went to the Shanghai Track and Field Sports Center this morning to participate in a charity event.

Wang Xiaolei came down to greet her and called out, "Brother Bing."

As the two went upstairs, Wang Xiaolei reported on her work:

"Tomorrow, advertising companies will be coming to propose ideas all day long."

There are now a total of six companies bidding, three in the morning and three in the afternoon.

This includes two large foreign companies, Ogilvy & Mather and JWT.

There are also two well-known domestic advertising companies, 'BlueFocus' and 'BlackJack Marketing'.

The remaining two are small companies, and they'll probably just be there to make up the numbers...

But with those four big companies involved, they're sure to be able to choose a good solution!

……

Wang Xiaolei continued speaking, while Xie Bingran listened in silence, offering no feedback.

"Brother Bing, you'll be attending the proposal meeting tomorrow, right?"

Xie Bingran thought for a moment:

"It depends. Actually, I don't understand these things either."

Wang Xiaolei: "But our brand name is a big deal, so it's best if you decide on it."

Xie Bingran: "I will make the decision."

I have to teach the children tomorrow, so let's talk about the meeting later.

Or you can compile the plans together, and I'll take a look at them all after class.

Wang Xiaolei: "That works too..."

……

While talking.

Xie Bingran suddenly frowned and stopped walking.

"What's wrong, Brother Bing?" Wang Xiaolei stopped and asked.

Xie Bingran looked around; this was the passageway outside the main conference room.

She frowned again, and slightly twitched her nose, as if taking a sniff.

Wang Xiaolei: "Does it have a certain smell?"

Xie Bingran paused for a moment, then asked, "Did anyone come to the meeting today?"

Wang Xiaolei thought for a moment: "They're from an advertising company."

One company came over this morning, and we went over the initial plans.

Another company came in this afternoon; it was their first time discussing their needs...

"Brother Bing, is there a problem?"

Xie Bingran: "Oh...it's nothing."

With that, she turned and walked toward her office.

Is it just my imagination?
Why do I keep feeling like I can smell his scent...?

……

……

(End of this chapter)