Chapter 132: The Ice Star’s Ascent

Xu Chen sat on a bench, surrounded by athletes coming and going.

He held his mobile phone, scrolling through news on the cramped screen of his Nokia N70.

Shanghai’s media was incredibly fast—news of Xie Bingran’s domination over the “Shanghai Twin Stars” had already hit every major outlet.

And true to their role as hosts and a big city, Shanghai’s press generously praised Xie Bingran without holding back.

“Dark Horse of the Youth Championships,” “Genius Girl,” “Strongest Under-18,” “Potential Future Hurdles Champion,” “Miracle on Lane Nine”—

These labels, spoken by hosts at the venue today, were echoed in every media report.

On Tudou, a short clip even showed Tian Chaorui and others excitedly introducing “Bing Ge” to the camera:

“This is our righteous hero, Bing Ge, a champion of both genders…”

It seemed that after being thoroughly beaten and conquered by Bing Ge, ‘Biaozi’ Tian Chaorui had become her little fan.

Xu Chen grinned, genuinely happy for Xie Bingran.

Of course, from a business perspective, as the one who signed Xie Bingran for endorsements, Bing Ge’s rising fame and reputation meant greater future value for East Morning Star Co. and East Morning Star Group.

Winning the Youth Championships was only the first step in Xie Bingran’s meteoric rise…

Teacher Chen Ming approached from afar.

He smiled as he came to Xu Chen and handed him a bottle of sports drink.

“Thanks, Teacher Chen Ming!”

Xu Chen took it with a smile, twisted off the cap, and took a sip.

Xie Bingran was still talking with that National Team’s Coach Chen.

From Teacher Chen Ming, he confirmed they were discussing Xie Bingran joining the National Team.

Of course, it wouldn’t be finalized today; there were formal procedures, paperwork, and approvals.

But with Xie Bingran’s breakout performance and undeniable talent, those steps were merely formalities.

Teacher Chen Ming also revealed that besides the women’s 100m hurdles, Xie Bingran could compete in the 100m, 200m, and 4×100m relay, and had a shot at medals in each.

For the Provincial Team, having Xie Bingran in more events naturally meant more honors.

After discussion, the Provincial Team leadership decided Xie Bingran would focus solely on the 100m hurdles.

Because in that event, she could go incredibly far and stand on the biggest stages.

What she needed now was absolute focus.

With limited time before the World Youth Championships, training for multiple events would only interfere with her hurdles prep…

Xu Chen felt a pang of emotion hearing this.

The Provincial Team’s leaders truly took the long view—they weren’t overworking Xie Bingran for team glory.

In the past, many coaches burned out young athletes in pursuit of results.

Xu Chen had worried about this too, warning Xie Bingran repeatedly to “know her limits” and prioritize safety.

Now, as she smoothly entered the National Team, such risks would be even smaller under top coaches and medical staff.

Teacher Chen Ming added:

“Our First High School’s Principal Huang Hua spoke up for her and helped a lot.

He even used his connections to speed up her National Team paperwork…”

Xu Chen recalled Principal Huang as a kindly old man with graying hair and a warm smile.

When First High School and Experimental High School competed for Xie Bingran, they brought in Principal Huang, and the rival school leaders didn’t dare argue.

Principal Huang was legendary in the province’s sports circles; many provincial and national coaches were once his students.

In First High School’s reception room, he’d even hinted at adopting Xie Bingran as his “granddaughter.”

He had done so much behind the scenes for Xie Bingran’s Provincial Team safety, training, and National Team entry.

Xu Chen thought a moment and said,

“I’ll tell Xie Bingran she should thank Principal Huang in person.”

Teacher Chen Ming chuckled,

“That’s the best plan! Principal Huang genuinely treasures talent and believes in Xie Bingran.

She’s a genius on the track, but she really doesn’t know how to handle these social niceties.

She’ll only give face to you, nobody else.

A couple of days ago, she nearly reduced a national-level coach to tears with a direct rebuke…”

“That too?!”

It turned out Bing Ge’s fierce nature persisted even on the Provincial Team.

Teacher Chen Ming looked exasperated. At Xu Chen’s curious prompting, he went on…

Xu Chen listened closely. Teacher Chen Ming held no grudge—he just couldn’t help complaining a little.

He and Tian Fangfang, as Xie Bingran’s personal coaches, had to apologize on her behalf after her ‘incidents.’

Fortunately, she hadn’t caused any real trouble—just refused to play by the social rules and dished out those fierce comebacks.

On the Provincial Team, some leaders and coaches believed in maintaining authority by scolding or showing off—

establishing respect among younger athletes.

But Bing Ge wouldn’t give face, often firing back on the spot.

Her strength on the track left everyone speechless, so after being ‘hurt’ by her remarks, they could only swallow it in silence.

Because of her fearless personality, Bing Ge had gathered a fanbase within the team.

Soon every training squad, male and female alike, knew her name.

Plus ‘Biaozi’ Tian Chaorui’s embellished tales painted Bing Ge as a righteous legend.

Xu Chen couldn’t help smiling to himself.

Wherever Xie Bingran went, she remained ‘Bing Ge.’

That suited him—at least she wouldn’t get bullied on her own.

…

Xu Chen: “So Xie Bingran has no events this afternoon, right?”

Teacher Chen Ming smiled,

“None. Just have lunch at noon.

There were some media interviews scheduled, but I could tell she didn’t want to do them, so I declined on her behalf.

But there’s a Provincial Team meeting later this afternoon—Bing Ge needs to attend.”

Xu Chen: “Got it.”

…

After nearly twenty minutes, Xie Bingran finally returned from a distance.

She wore the Provincial Team’s ice-blue tracksuit and carried that brown leather Backpack you’d given her earlier.

At 1.74 m tall, with muscle and strength gained from training…

Bing Ge’s stride looked even more imposing and fierce now.

Of course she was still beautiful—a pretty young woman at heart.

Spotting Xu Chen from afar, she brushed her bangs back casually, revealing her sharp eyes.

She walked up to Xu Chen and coolly said,

“Hungry?”

Xu Chen blinked, then laughed,

“Usually I ask you if you’re hungry and then take you to eat…”

Xie Bingran smiled,

“Today I’ll take you, but we can only have the hotel’s athlete meal.”

Xu Chen stood and followed her out.

They left the stadium and headed to the plaza outside.

A few interview vans were parked, with fans and athletes milling about.

Xie Bingran looked around, then pointed northeast,

“The hotel is over there.”

Xu Chen: “You really can’t eat anything outside?”

Xie Bingran: “Not entirely.

Mainly no beef or mutton outside.

Also certain seasonings, additives, drinks…

If we must eat out, it has to be vegetarian. No meat at all.”

Xu Chen half-joked,

“You said last time I could grab meat from your cafeteria and cook it myself!

When we go to university, I’ll rent a place as a kitchen to borrow your national team’s premium ingredients…”

Xie Bingran didn’t say a word, lips twitching in a smile.

She looked genuinely pleased.

…

The hotel for the Provincial Team was arranged by the Youth Championships committee, not far from Shanghai Stadium.

Just over a kilometer away, so they decided to walk.

Fortunately the weather wasn’t hot, and a cool breeze had picked up.

Xu Chen: “You just finished racing. Not tired?”

Xie Bingran: “Rested enough.”

Xu Chen: “Walk slower. I’m not an athlete—your long legs leave me behind.”

Xie Bingran: “…”

Xu Chen laughed, “Just kidding.”

Xie Bingran: “I worry you’ll get hungry.”

She reached around, pulled the Backpack forward, unzipped it, and rummaged inside.

Finally she took out a long, plastic-wrapped item.

“Protein energy bar—the team issued it.”

Xu Chen: “I used to treat you to a pack of Oreos.”

Xie Bingran smiled, tearing open the protein bar wrapper with a “shlick.”

Just like all those times Xu Chen tore open an Oreo packet…

The protein bar was a single strip, unlike the multiple pieces in Oreos.

She hesitated, then broke the bar in half with a gentle snap,

and handed one piece to Xu Chen.

Xu Chen laughed and plucked up his half, taking a big bite.

Only then did Xie Bingran start eating too.

It didn’t taste great—you could detect soy and nuts.

There was almost no sweetness, clearly no added sugar or sweeteners.

But the two of them smiled as they ate, as if it were the sweetest treat.