Chapter 18: Moonlit Promises

The lights on the athletic field had long been turned off.

Fortunately, under the bright moonlight, everything was clearly visible.

Li Rui raised his hand and pointed ahead:

“Bing Ge is at the basketball court.”

Xu Chen nodded and crossed the darkened field toward the basketball court.

After finishing his cigarette, Li Rui turned back toward the dormitory.

On the field, a few boarding students continued their steady midnight jog.

Before long, Xu Chen arrived at the basketball court.

Leaning casually against the iron fence with his hands in his pockets, Xie Bingran was waiting.

Xu Chen walked straight up and joined him by the fence.

He rummaged in his pocket, pulled out a small pack of Oreos, and handed it to Xie Bingran.

“I grabbed these from the classroom.”

“Were they yours? I don’t eat someone else’s,” Xie Bingran replied coolly.

“They’re mine—I just pulled them out of a desk drawer.”

After a brief pause, he tucked the cookies back away.

“Never mind… who knows how long they’ve been sitting there? They might even be expired.”

That was the truth; having been reborn, Xu Chen couldn’t recall when that pack of cookies was from.

But Xie Bingran suddenly reached out and snatched the cookie pack.

He tore open the packaging and threw a piece into his mouth, chewing with a crisp crunch.

Xu Chen smiled and picked up a piece as well, popping it into his mouth.

After swallowing his cookie, Xie Bingran said:

“I feel like I owe you a life. Now, tell me, what do you want me to do?”

Xu Chen replied, “That sounds too formal.”

“I don’t like owing favors, especially not to you,” Xie Bingran retorted.

“Why?” asked Xu Chen.

After a pause, Xie Bingran tossed another piece into his mouth:

“Back in middle school, I mooched off your meals so often that I already owe you plenty.”

Xu Chen laughed, “Then why have you been ignoring me all these years?”

Xie Bingran turned away and said coldly, “It was you who ignored me.”

Xu Chen was taken aback and sighed helplessly.

It was indeed true.

In his previous life, middle school Xu Chen had been frightened by Xie Bingran’s ‘confession’ and purposely distanced himself from her.

After that, the two awkwardly avoided any real interaction.

Xu Chen asked, “So, how do you plan to repay your debt?”

Xie Bingran replied, “You decide—as long as it’s something I can do.”

Xu Chen proposed, “Sell yourself to me!”

Xie Bingran responded, “I’m not joking around.”

Xu Chen countered, “Neither am I!”

Xie Bingran paused, “Then how exactly do I sell myself to you?”

Xu Chen answered:

“Just sign a servitude contract—sell yourself to me.”

After a moment of silence, Xie Bingran said,

“Alright.”

Under the night sky, Xu Chen looked at her, exasperated:

“Didn’t you ask what you’ll have to do once you sign the servitude contract?”

Xie Bingran replied, “Do as you please. After all, I owe you.”

Xu Chen chuckled, “Bing Ge, you really are open-minded! I’ll go prepare the contract and come back in a few days for your signature.”

He then grabbed another cookie and stuffed it into his mouth.

“And don’t worry—I won’t make you do anything bizarre.

My dad owns a company, and later on, I need your help with promotions and advertisement endorsements.”

Xu Chen already planned to secure Xie Bingran’s advertisement endorsement in advance.

Xie Bingran asked, “Advertisement endorsement? What exactly would that involve?”

Xu Chen hesitated, then said,

“Let’s not worry about that now. I’ll explain when the time comes. Trust me—it won’t harm or burden you.”

Xie Bingran said nothing further, continuing to chew the cookie with a crisp crunch.

When Xu Chen reached for another cookie, Xie Bingran suddenly clutched it tightly:

“There’s only one piece left—it’s mine.”

Xu Chen laughed, “You little girl, why are you so protective of your snacks…”

Xie Bingran retorted, “I’m not a little girl. I’m Bing Ge.”

Saying that, she held the last cookie, broke it in half, and handed one half to Xu Chen.

Xu Chen smiled, accepted the half, and tossed it into his mouth.

“What are your plans for the future?” Xu Chen inquired.

Xie Bingran replied, “What do you mean by future plans?”

Xu Chen continued, “I mean—college entrance exams, further studies, work, the future…”

Xie Bingran suddenly fell silent.

A cold gust of wind blew, causing Xu Chen to wrap his coat tighter.

Xie Bingran looked up at the moon overhead and said,

“I won’t get into any good college. I don’t even have the money for it.

Even if I get into a junior college, finding a job afterward is nearly impossible.”

Her tone was icy, betraying no emotion.

“I could at least scrape by until the exams are over and then work to earn a living.

You and I belong to two different worlds…”

As she spoke, Xie Bingran turned her head away, as if avoiding something painful.

Xu Chen looked up at the dark track of the athletic field and said,

“I remember in seventh and eighth grade, you were an incredible runner—you even medaled at the school sports day.”

Xie Bingran let out a cold laugh, then fell silent.

She assumed Xu Chen mentioned it just to cheer her up.

Xu Chen continued, “Chen Dahai from our class trains for high jump. He said next Wednesday there will be city tryouts for the athletic meet, right here.

When the time comes, come with me; I’ll introduce you to the Sports Team coach.”

Xie Bingran turned to look at Xu Chen, her eyes filled with confusion:

“What do you mean?”

Xu Chen turned around and said seriously,

“If you take the athletic route, you won’t need top marks in academics.

If your sports results are outstanding, many good universities will even admit you without entrance exams.”

Xie Bingran was taken aback for a moment before letting out a cold laugh.

“Don’t be ridiculous… but thanks for thinking of me.”

Xu Chen replied, “I’m serious—how else would you know unless you try?”

Xie Bingran retorted, “I won’t go; it’s a total waste of time.”

In a deep tone, Xu Chen declared, “You owe me—I’m ordering you to go!”

Xie Bingran turned away and said coldly, “Do you want to die?”

In the darkness, Xu Chen frowned:

“If you don’t show up next Wednesday, I’ll come to your class and drag you onto the athletic field by force!

Just give it a try; one try won’t kill anyone.”

In the dark, Xie Bingran remained silent.

After a moment’s thought, Xu Chen continued,

“Alright then—forget the servitude contract. Just promise me you’ll come to the tryouts next Wednesday…”

Xie Bingran coldly responded,

“Those are two different matters. You already have my servitude contract…”

Xu Chen laughed, “So you’re agreeing to next Wednesday as well?”

Xie Bingran replied, “The tryouts require early registration, and I’m not even on the Sports Team.”

Xu Chen said, “Who needs all those rules? If you’re truly remarkable, every rule will fall away for you.”

Xie Bingran let out a cold laugh, still feeling somewhat puzzled.

Deep down, Xu Chen knew that Xie Bingran was destined to succeed.

After all, anyone capable of reaching the Asian Games—even without systematic training—has undeniable talent.

Even a casual run would surely impress the Sports Team.

Growing a bit impatient, Xie Bingran said,

“Fine, I’ll just come out to hang with you.”

Seeing Xie Bingran finally agree, Xu Chen beamed and added with a smile,

“Are you free on Sunday?”