Currently it seems that "business class" seats or "VIP seats" exist on most trains. Not all. For example, on Xian-Guangzhou, out of the 6 trains, 2 have neither VIP nor business seats - and these 2 include the express, G98, which still takes 7:40. 2 of the other 4 have VIP seats - price 1548 yuan 5 jiao, where first class is 1301 yuan 5 jiao - and the remaining 2 have Business Class but no VIP seats - priced at 2658 yuan 5 jiao.

On Beijing-Guangzhou, no VIP seats are offered - all three trains have Business Class only. Since first class (at 1380 yuan) is not fine (the duration is 7:59 to 9:38), the only way is, obviously, business class, costing 2724 yuan.