Ye Zhizhou couldn’t help but show a delighted expression: “Oh? Is that so?”

Regarding Steffer Automobiles, Ye Zhizhou had also heard something.

Although the name sounded foreign, it was actually a homegrown domestic enterprise established in 1996—a high-tech company specializing in new energy, batteries, IT, and automotive technologies, with seven large production bases nationwide.

In the domestic new energy vehicle sector, Steffer’s accumulated technology was considered top-tier, and its market share was also decent.

But the problem was that its name, which sounded tacky and low-class, seriously held it back.

For this name, Steffer Automobiles’ official explanation was “STF,” which stood for “Seize the Future.”

As a new energy vehicle company, the meaning behind this name was actually quite appropriate.

But the issue was that people didn’t buy this explanation, because it was a forced rationalization created after Steffer Automobiles had grown significantly and became aware of its branding problem.

In fact, several years earlier, someone had interviewed Steffer Automobiles’ founder, whose answer at the time was that the name was chosen simply because the two-character and four-character names they originally wanted had already been registered, while three-character names were easier to get approved, so they settled on this name.

In other words, the founder of Steffer Automobiles hadn’t given any thought to branding at that time.

This was understandable. In China, so many startup companies were established each year, and countless went bankrupt. For a new enterprise, the primary goal was survival—who could think so far ahead and foresee that twenty years later they would develop into a top company troubled by branding issues?

It was like many online fiction authors who tried one pen name that didn’t work, tried another that still didn’t work, and after trying repeatedly, angrily typed in a random name that got approved.

Years later, after becoming famous with a stable fan base, they couldn’t change their pen names anymore and had to attend various events with strange online names, truly a sad situation for all involved.

Additionally, many people speculated that there was a hidden reason the founder was too embarrassed to mention.

Steffer Automobiles was established in 1996, when companies liked to give themselves foreign-sounding names to masquerade as foreign brands.

Because that was the market climate at the time—consumers generally believed that foreign brands were better, with reliable quality and advanced technology. So many companies deliberately chose names that looked like foreign brands. Whether this was considered deceiving consumers or adapting to the market environment, it was all about initial survival.

However, with the rise of domestic products in recent years, domestic consumers gradually stopped blindly trusting foreign brands and instead supported excellent domestic products to the best of their ability. This environmental change made Steffer Automobiles’ branding issue suddenly become its biggest shortcoming.

In the past, many consumers would indeed develop a favorable impression upon hearing a name that sounded like a foreign brand. But now, a domestic brand with a pseudo-foreign name only gave people a strong sense of imitation and had become synonymous with being low-class.

Although Steffer’s boss was considered a pragmatist, his ability to boast wasn’t very strong, and the products launched were relatively budget-friendly. This led to a situation where despite having strong technical capabilities and decent market share, the brand still couldn’t be properly established.

This collaboration with Shenhua Group was obviously aimed at leveraging Shenhua Group’s brand power.

Although Shenhua Group didn’t have much brand appeal in the automotive sector, its brand appeal in internet and smart hardware was very strong! One company excelled in hardware, the other in software, and the best point of integration was new energy vehicles’ self-driving technology!

Ye Zhizhou hadn’t expected to encounter such a pleasant surprise during this visit.

Clearly, the deep cooperation between Steffer Automobiles and Shenhua Group hadn’t been loudly publicized, so many people outside weren’t aware of it.

But given the capabilities of both companies, once their research results were released, it would certainly shock many people.

Ye Zhizhou was very pleased: “Great! If the new cars made by Steffer and Shenhua could proactively join ‘Safe and Civilized Driving,’ that would definitely be a very competitive catfish!”

Lin Wan took out her phone: “I’ll send you the contact information of the relevant person in charge right away… Actually, let’s just invite the person in charge to come over, and we can talk face-to-face.”

“From what I currently know, although the cars made by the two companies are about to enter mass production, they haven’t completely agreed on the car model’s name, brand positioning, marketing strategy, and other aspects—they haven’t come up with a particularly suitable plan.”

“If they could also connect with Tenda, with the double endorsement of Shenhua and Tenda, the brand value of this new car would surely soar again. This cooperation would definitely become a win-win-win situation.”

Upon hearing the words “marketing strategy,” Ye Zhizhou perked up: “Isn’t that just about promotion plans? I’m good at that!”

“Meng Chang has already passed on his carefully summarized Pei-style Promotion Method to me. ‘Safe and Civilized Driving’ was a small test, and the results were pretty good.”

Lin Wan was surprised: “Pei-style Promotion Method? There’s such a thing?”

She felt confused because she had worked at Tenda Games and Shangyang Games for so long but had never heard of this concept.

Ye Zhizhou nodded: “This concept is quite recent, summarized by Meng Chang during his long-term responsibility for promotional work at Tenda.”

“But the Pei-style Promotion Method has actually been used many times by Mr. Pei; we were just too dull-witted in this area to understand. Think about the promotional plans for so many projects before—which one didn’t seem bizarrely strange but ended up with unexpectedly good results?”

Lin Wan suddenly understood: “I see!”

“I’ll contact the project manager on their side right away. However, they’re quite busy with work, as they’re approaching the launch and still have some details to adjust. Let me discuss with them—at the latest by next week, we’ll have them come to Jingzhou!”

……

……

January 30, Wednesday.

On the unnamed island where the Suffering Journey was taking place.

Qiao Liang was the last to climb up the island’s cliff and collapsed directly onto the ground, exhausted.

Looking at the others, they weren’t in much better shape—everyone was sprawled out awkwardly, feeling completely drained.

After a whole month of wind and sun exposure, everyone had tanned considerably.

Although these people seized every opportunity to slather sunscreen and suntan oil on their faces and bodies, sunscreen wasn’t omnipotent. Being continuously exposed to the sun in such an environment, their skin inevitably moved toward a bronze tone.

As for Bao Xu, although he had also tanned a bit darker, it wasn’t very noticeable anymore—after all, he was already battle-hardened.

Seeing that Qiao Liang had also successfully climbed up, Bao Xu pressed the timer in his hand: “Alright, today’s training activities end here.”

“I hereby announce that the second phase of the Suffering Journey has been successfully completed!”

At these words, everyone present immediately felt relieved and instantly came back to life.

It was finally over!

People like Qiao Liang, Yu Ping’an, and Chen Yufeng, who had relatively weaker endurance, almost burst into tears of joy on the spot.

One month! Do you know how we survived this one month? Huh?

This uninhabited island was truly so painful that they instinctively forgot that before the island, there was actually another month of indoor training. Looking back now, indoor training seemed as relaxing as a vacation!

Sa Ziran took out the commemorative medals and certificates that had been prepared long ago.

Bao Xu said solemnly: “Now we will present the Ascetic Medals. Please line up.”

Previously, everyone had been collapsed on the ground, unwilling to move, but upon hearing about the medals, they quickly got up from the ground and lined up neatly.

Sa Ziran and Li Yaling helped Bao Xu hold the medals and certificates, while Bao Xu took each corresponding medal and certificate with great ceremony and presented them one by one.

Qiao Liang’s face was full of anticipation.

One important reason he had persevered through the arduous training of the Suffering Journey was his anticipation for the Ascetic title and the various benefits that came with it.

Of course, a more important reason was that this was an uninhabited island, and he couldn’t escape even if he wanted to.

But in any case, this was an honor!

“Well done!” After shaking hands with Qiao Liang, Bao Xu took the medal and certificate from Sa Ziran’s hand, handed them to Qiao Liang, and then continued to the next person.

Qiao Liang gleefully played with the Ascetic Medal.

The craftsmanship was exquisite, making it highly collectible!

It was an irregularly shaped medal with three layers of relief patterns.

The bottom layer was a huge shield, with many long swords underneath, hilts pointing upward and tips pointing downward, arranged in a pattern resembling a peacock’s display;

Above the shield was another layer of relief, featuring steep mountains, rushing rivers flowing into the sea—essentially depicting the wonders of nature;

And on the top layer, on the cliff of the steep mountains, a small figure was climbing diligently, representing the image of the Ascetic.

Qiao Liang was absolutely enamored with this medal.

It was perfect!

Undeniably, Tenda was truly Tenda—this commemorative medal was made so exquisitely and had great commemorative value because of its profound cultural connotations.

Looking at it naturally reminded him of the glorious days he spent on the Suffering Journey!

Qiao Liang decided that this medal must be preserved as a family heirloom forever, something he could boast about to his son and grandson in the future.

Do you know about the Suffering Journey? This is your father’s/grandfather’s medal of merit!

Next, he turned his attention to the certificate.

The cover of the certificate was also specially made, using metal engraving techniques, making it feel heavy in hand.

The pattern on the cover was also somewhat related to the pattern on the medal.

Opening the certificate, the few lines written inside also gave Qiao Liang immense satisfaction.

“Ascetic Qiao Liang, during the Second Phase of the Suffering Journey (December 2012-January 2013), fought valiantly and persevered, demonstrating an indomitable fighting spirit. Hereby awarded the title of ‘Tenacious Ascetic’!”

Below were the signatures, date, and official stamps, making it extremely formal.

Qiao Liang couldn’t help feeling pleased while also breathing a sigh of relief.

Thank goodness—he had thought the final title might be something like “Bottom Member” or similar!

Tenacious Ascetic? This title was excellent, perfectly representing his outstanding qualities!

Qiao Liang couldn’t help looking at Ruan Guangjian next to him: “What’s your title?”

Because the previous announcement had stated that this phase’s results would be recorded. If this rule hadn’t been canceled, then everyone should have received different titles.