Chapter 176: A Man Lives on a Breath of Air

Anger is a negative emotion that arises when humans believe something violates their internal principles and beliefs.

At this moment, Li Xian's anger stemmed from the fact that he had used almost all of his company's current activity funds to advertise on CCTV but had not received the treatment he deserved.

On the other hand, Gao Jingzhi, the young planner from the CCTV advertising department, felt that his team had worked overnight on a five-second morning ad, only to have it dismissed as something that "anyone could make with their feet."

One side felt cheated, while the other felt the expectations were too high.

Thus, the conflict was irreconcilable.

The argument in the room grew more intense, with both parties slamming the table.

Gao Jingzhi was especially furious when the planner from the corner of the room crumpled up the proposal and threw it in his face.

Just as he was about to call security, the reception room door opened.

Seeing the visitor, Gao Jingzhi's anger turned into grievance. "Director Tan! You've arrived just in time. Please, take a look. I can't handle this ad anymore!"

The woman, surnamed Tan, glanced at the furious Li Xian and then at the equally agitated Gao Jingzhi. Her face grew serious. "Xiao Gao, I remember we had a meeting about this. The advertisement must meet the client's satisfaction. If the client is unhappy, we modify it until they are. Our advertising department needs to generate profit, even though CCTV is a public institution."

Before Gao Jingzhi could explain, the woman raised her hand. "You don't need to say anything. I've been standing outside for a while."

The woman appeared knowledgeable and, though her tone was calm, she clearly delineated responsibility.

Seeing Gao Jingzhi's dissatisfaction, she shook her head and approached Li Xian, extending her hand. "Comrade, I'm the advertising department director, Tan. If you're not satisfied with this proposal, I'll arrange for someone else to assist you."

Li Xian, feeling slightly mollified by her relatively sincere attitude, calmed down a bit. However, the fact that the woman criticized the young planner without mentioning any punishment left him feeling unsettled.

After shaking hands with Director Tan, Li Xian put his hands on his hips and pointed towards the door. "What about his punishment?"

"Hey, are you getting tough now?!" Gao Jingzhi, seeing Li Xian's insistence, became anxious.

Faced with such direct questioning, Director Tan felt a bit uncomfortable. After all, Gao Jingzhi was her subordinate. Handling it internally was one thing; addressing it publicly was another.

Seeing that Director Tan remained silent, Li Xian waved his hand. "Alright. Refund the advertising fee. I'll find someone else."

"Is it because you think ten thousand yuan is a lot? Go check out other advertising companies. See what you can get for that amount. It's not like we're thrilled to take your business."

Upon hearing Li Xian demand a refund, Gao Jingzhi muttered a sarcastic remark, disregarding Director Tan's silent signals.

This made Director Tan feel a bit of a headache. Having just taken over the advertising department and being a woman, she felt unable to assert her authority fully.

Li Xian wasn't deterred. He wasn't sure about other things, but he was confident that ten thousand yuan could definitely produce an advertisement somewhere. The ads he had done at the provincial station cost him nothing and turned out perfectly.

He wasn't about to be cowed!

...

In recent years, as the economic situation has improved, advertising companies have increased. Unlike the small ad firms in Ice City, which mostly print and post small ads, Beijing's advertising industry is clearly more professional and larger in scale.

In the morning, Li Xian visited several advertising companies. Most could handle everything, including coordination with TV stations, time slot selection, ad filming, and subsequent effect analysis.

Very professional.

But also very expensive.

Despite his displeasure with Gao Jingzhi that morning, after visiting seven ad companies, Li Xian confirmed that the young man was indeed frustrating but not entirely off the mark.

Ten thousand yuan for a five-second ad in Beijing isn't considered high. Even some animation ads that Li Xian thought were childish, like "We are pests, we are pests, Justice comes with Laifuling, Justice comes with Laifuling…"—where the Laifuling animation ad, including animation production and music, cost twenty-five thousand yuan.

When Li Xian asked for a five-second ad with special effects, background music, and a theme of female care, almost all the companies quoted him over 200,000 yuan.

Li Xian felt a pang of frustration.

Returning to the CCTV building, he paced around the entrance twice and then squatted there—he felt he had overestimated his position.

He had made a mistake by assuming his experience would suffice.

The ad at the provincial station didn't cost him anything, likely due to connections with the Beilin publicity department, which used existing resources from the station.

But now, far from his home base, that advantage was gone.

At this moment, a group of men and women exited CCTV's main entrance, discussing new leaders and what to have for lunch.

Among them, a woman with a serious face approached Li Xian, who was sitting at the entrance, smoking.

"Oh dear."

As Li Xian pondered whether to return and negotiate with the previous leader to find a new planner to redo the ad for ten thousand yuan, a sarcastic voice interrupted him.

"Isn't this Mr. Li, who wants to make his own ad? Did you find a place to spend your ten thousand yuan on an ad?"

Li Xian looked up to see a furious Gao Jingzhi. The punishment for Gao Jingzhi that morning was known to the advertising planning team, so seeing the culprit, the team members had no kind words and made cutting remarks.

Amid the jeers, Li Xian stood up and straightened his back.

Without saying much to them, he turned and left.

A person must maintain their dignity!

He hailed a taxi on the street and got in.

"Where to, comrade?"

As the taxi started, the driver looked at Li Xian through the rearview mirror and asked.

Li Xian thought for a moment and replied decisively, "Beijing Film Academy."

"Oh, that's a good place." The driver chattered about the pretty girls at Beijing Film Academy as the yellow van deftly turned and headed towards the school.

...

After using a pack of cigarettes to smooth things over with the security guard, Li Xian entered the school smoothly.

Seeing students from the performing arts department rehearsing a play on the sports field, he went directly to the dormitory building. He took a piece of paper from his bag, wrote a notice with a ballpoint pen, and posted it on the dormitory door.

The notice was simple: "10,000 yuan reward, seeking a team for ad film production."

Leaving his phone number, Li Xian squinted his eyes.

Today is the day. I refuse to believe that ten thousand yuan can't make an ad in this world!

After posting the notice and thinking about the half-finished tasks back at the hotel, he left the school.

Just after he left the Beijing Film Academy, his phone rang.

"Hello? Is the notice you posted in our dormitory… real?"

Hearing the overly youthful voice on the other end of the phone, Li Xian affirmed.

"Um… I'm Ding Sheng from the Class of 90, Department of Fine Arts at Beijing Film Academy. When would be a good time to meet? I'm working on a graduation project and need some funds, so I wanted to give it a try…"

Li Xian found the name Ding Sheng somewhat familiar.

But he couldn't recall where he had heard it.

Nevertheless, thinking about finalizing the ad production, he quickly arranged a meeting at the hotel where he was staying and ended the call.

Around four in the afternoon, after dragging the bedridden Liang Yonghe out for a meal, Li Xian received a call.

Ding Sheng had arrived. He was downstairs.

Seeing the large-faced student, Li Xian smiled.

Ah, so that's who it was.