Li Wu’s student registration transfer went smoothly. On National Day afternoon, they headed back home.
The holiday passed as quickly as a snap of fingers. On the morning of the third, Li Wu left home to return to school, diving back into his studies.
Cen Jin’s company strictly followed legal requirements for a full week off, but during the golden September and silver October, all industries were scrambling for business opportunities. Even at home, Cen Jin was on call 24/7.
They were like two-star trails in the universe, moving in their domains, shining brightly, occasionally intersecting.
In mid-October, Teddy stepped back to support Cen Jin’s proposal for a new G-series SUV from a car brand.
This was her first time as the main presenter for the creative portion, needing to accurately present and describe the team’s ideas during the pitch.
Just for the opening, Cen Jin had practiced over ten times at home.
Li Wu, who returned on weekends, became her main rehearsal audience. The youth’s logical thinking was strong—after careful listening, he would point out where her expression reversed priorities or had disordered progression.
After completing a round of presentations, Cen Jin would have Li Wu try to think of some tricky questions about the content.
At first, Li Wu couldn’t grasp it well.
Cen Jin gave examples of sharp questions clients had asked during past pitches. He absorbed these, beginning to “challenge” her—some of his inquiries even left Cen Jin speechless.
Cen Jin recorded the questions that stumped her, discussing them with colleagues to find the best response techniques.
On the actual day, despite thorough preparation, Cen Jin still felt too nervous to be natural.
Standing before the display screen, she tried to maintain a proper smile, looking professional and composed. During the presentation, she focused on introducing one of the main ideas about a public welfare micro-film set in mountain areas.
Cen Jin’s proposal was fairly successful—at least when she returned to her seat, the clients’ expressions were all gentle.
During the Q&A session, the regional manager asked: “The idea in the film about ‘making all rough paths smooth’ looks good, and it’s relevant with some impact, but I noticed Ms. Cen mentioned a place, Yunfeng Village. With so many remote mountain areas in China, why specifically choose this one? I’ve never even heard of it.”
Cen Jin smiled: “I’ve conducted field research there.”
The regional manager raised an eyebrow: “For our product?”
Cen Jin answered: “Not entirely. I once sponsored a student there. Yunfeng Village’s environment and people’s livelihood are very pristine and very authentic, and the road conditions are perfect for promoting the G-series’ multi-terrain adaptation system.”
The regional manager asked: “Which SUV model do you drive?”
Cen Jin replied: “I don’t have an SUV. I was driving a Maserati Ghibli at the time—it nearly sent me to my grave.”
The whole room laughed.
Cen Jin looked at him, speaking unhurriedly: “Because of travel limitations, I’ve hardly been able to visit the student I sponsor, but if I had a G-series, things might be different. Why drive an SUV? Just to look cool? To climb mountains and cross ridges for scenic drives? To challenge limits and seek thrills? I think it’s more than that—there can be humanity, sentiment, self-realization, something deeper that touches people’s hearts.”
The regional manager leaned back in his chair: “Actually, you don’t need to repeatedly emphasize what’s already in the PPT—this isn’t a speech. Have you considered one possibility? When this film is presented to the public, it might become a tourism promotional video, focusing on poverty alleviation rather than our cars.”
Cen Jin smiled lightly: “You can rest assured about that. While we won’t show everything, 90% of the scenes will involve the G-series, aimed at demonstrating all its capabilities, inside and out. The public welfare and humanitarian approach makes it easier to go viral, allowing these capabilities to reach more potential consumers’ vision.”
The regional manager nodded in understanding.
…
After Singles’ Day, the G-series’ latest promotional video began airing on major platforms.
The film tells the story of a dispirited man on a road trip who accidentally stumbles upon a picturesque mountain village, finding self-redemption and rediscovering his original aspirations through interactions with and helping the children there.
The car shots were naturally integrated, woven throughout every part of the plot—some amusing, some touching.
Before leaving, the man takes photos with the children, saying he’ll print and mail them back, then drives away.
The children seem to remember something and run wildly after him on the mountainside.
The man sees these small figures in his rearview mirror, steadily braking on the slope. He turns back with tears, shouting: “Don’t see me off! Don’t miss me!”
The children also shout: “We forgot to take pictures with the car!”
…
The video, mixing tears and laughter, moved many people. The creative team led by Cen Jin also won this year’s Long Xi Award.
With another company personnel change, Cen Jin was officially promoted from SCW to GH, becoming the copy team leader in the creative department, and her value doubled.
This year’s cold wave came fiercely, driving away autumn early.
Golden leaves seemed to scatter overnight, with all trees wrapped in white snow.
At year’s end, Cen Jin specially visited a Montblanc boutique, wanting to buy a fountain pen as Li Wu’s coming-of-age gift.
Chunshang accompanied her shopping, asking puzzled: “You’re buying something so expensive—does he even know this brand?”
“What does he need to understand? Just knowing it’s a fountain pen is enough,” Cen Jin’s gaze swept over the pen styles in the display case. “The price only represents the recipient’s importance to the gift-giver. Of course, within one’s means, the more expensive the better.”
Chunshang raised her eyebrows teasingly: “Seems he weighs quite heavily in your heart.”
“He’s my little brother,” Cen Jin replied matter-of-factly.
“You treat him like a little brother, but does he treat you like a big sister?”
Cen Jin called the clerk to take out a pen for closer inspection, then turned back puzzled: “If not a sister, then what?”
Returning home, Cen Jin sneaked back to her bedroom, took out the dark cards she’d bought online earlier, and carefully wrote wishes with a pearlescent pen, stroke by stroke.
After signing, she put it away carefully. On New Year’s Eve, while Li Wu was showering, Cen Jin took out the gift box and card, placing them together in the center of the study desk, quite solemnly.
After Li Wu came out, she pretended nothing had happened, sitting in the living room eating an apple and playing with her phone, not even lifting her eyelids once.
Li Wu glanced at her, paused for a moment, then announced: “Tomorrow is my birthday.”