Chapter 205: Awakening in Yangcheng

Early the next morning, Xu Chen was still sound asleep when Xie Bingran woke up.

She slipped out of bed quietly, glanced down at Xu Chen sprawled out awkwardly, and blinked her big eyes.

She quietly put on the sneakers by the bed and stood still for a moment.

Then she leaned down slowly, bringing her delicate little nose close to Xu Chen’s face for a gentle sniff.

She checked again.

His scent.

…

Xie Bingran slipped back to the opposite room, where Teacher Fang Jun was still fast asleep.

Bing Ge acted like nothing had happened and lay back on the bed for a short while.

…

…

In the lobby of Tianhe Tower.

Li Rui, Zhao Feng, and their group of brothers lounged in the rest area, arms around each other’s shoulders, chatting and laughing.

They weren’t staying at this hotel; they came early to find Bing Ge.

They were catching a train out of Yangcheng at noon, so they stopped by to say goodbye to Bing Ge first.

Of course, only Li Rui would stay behind quietly—he still had that mysterious “tailing” mission to complete.

Two receptionists in the lobby glanced over at them several times.

They had just started their shift that morning and had no idea what this group was up to; they’d been standing in the hall for fifteen or twenty minutes.

The receptionists thought about shooing them away but hesitated, looking uneasy.

Though these young people weren’t causing any real trouble—just chatting and laughing—at least three or four of them had a tough, intimidating vibe.

As the receptionists exchanged glances, unsure what to do, a tall girl in dark athletic wear walked out from the elevator area, hands in her pockets, her short hair sharp and fierce.

This group of mysterious youths suddenly stood up and called out in unison, “Bing Ge!”

The receptionists saw this and felt even more uneasy, not knowing how to handle it.

Should they call the manager? Or contact the local police?

But they were afraid of stirring up real trouble.

…

Xie Bingran nodded without a word, hands still in her pockets, and headed outside as the group of brothers hurried after her.

The receptionists sighed in relief as the crowd left the lobby.

“That girl who just left—is she a guest staying here?”

“Seems like it…”

“She’s a bit intimidating, isn’t she? They call her Bing Ge, but she’s a girl…”

“They haven’t left the area outside—should we check?”

…

One of the receptionists got up and quietly went to the door.

Peeking outside, he saw the group of young people gathered on the roadside in front of the hotel, handing out cigarettes and lighting up, arms slung over shoulders.

The girl in athletic wear stood in the middle, clearly their leader.

She said nothing but took a lighter from one of them; the others crowded around with cigarettes, looking respectful.

The receptionist didn’t dare stare and quickly turned back.

“They’re just smoking outside—nothing major.”

“Then let’s leave it. As long as they’re not causing trouble here.”

“Doesn’t seem like they’re here to stir things up…”

…

…

Ten minutes later, a white Honda Odyssey pulled up and stopped at the hotel lobby entrance.

Seeing the car arrive, Li Rui, Zhao Feng, and the others standing nearby stepped back a bit to make room.

The door opened, and out stepped a stocky man with small eyes—Li Fengfeng from Black Duke Marketing.

He was here to pick up “Teacher Xu Chen” and take him to the studio for the final check.

Driving was Li Fengfeng’s subordinate, account manager Chen Xiaolong, a typical young guy with a sharp Cantonese look, around twenty-four or twenty-five.

From the back seat came another young woman—Sun Aimi, the designer Xu Chen had known in his past life.

She had her hair in a bun, wore round black-framed glasses, and had a round face. She looked about twenty-four or twenty-five, around the same age as Teacher Fang Jun.

Chen Xiaolong stood before Li Fengfeng, looking nervous and slightly bowed as he said:

“Mr. Li, would you like some coffee? I’ll grab you one!

And maybe one for Teacher Xu Chen while I’m at it…”

Li Fengfeng shot him a sideways glance:

“Coffee? Forget it! No need to cater to him!”

He furrowed his brow, his face twisted in clear annoyance.

“He’s only eighteen—probably hasn’t even started college yet?!

I had no idea until I saw the client list this morning!”

“Getting bossed around by some kid, giving orders and critiques—I’ve lost face big time, Li Fengfeng!”

“And now we have to arrange a car to pick him up… it’s infuriating!”

“Losing the pitch to him? I bet he copied his design! I was up for director, and this kid ruined it—such bad luck!”

“He’s been nitpicking my plans for days, spouting endless nonsense…”

“Today, no one caters to him! I’m Li Fengfeng—I’m not getting pushed around by some eighteen-year-old!”

Chen Xiaolong kept his head slightly lowered, hesitant, but spoke up:

“But Mr. Li, we need Teacher Xu Chen’s signature for the approval…

He’s the client’s supervisor—if he doesn’t sign off, we can’t deliver the final product!”

Li Fengfeng snapped coldly:

“Teacher Xu Chen? Don’t make me laugh…

Teacher? Just some dumb kid acting like one in front of me!”

…

As Li Fengfeng ranted, a group approached, their faces stern as they tossed cigarette butts on the ground.

Leading them was a short-haired girl with icy eyes fixed on him.

Li Fengfeng froze, the group’s aggressive stance making him uneasy.

He instinctively stepped back half a pace.

Chen Xiaolong and Sun Aimi had already noticed and hid behind Li Fengfeng’s bulky frame, clueless about what was happening.

Li Fengfeng’s cheeks trembled; it was clear these people were after him.

His lips quivered as he said softly:

“Folks… is there a problem?”

A burly, tough-looking young man replied coldly:

“You fat fool, got a filthy mouth?”

The speaker was Zhao Feng.

Li Fengfeng stammered nervously:

“Everyone… any misunderstanding here?

I don’t think I know you…”

Xie Bingran stepped right up to Li Fengfeng, her head slightly lowered, eyes freezing cold:

“Who were you just cursing at?”

Li Fengfeng blinked in confusion: “Huh?”

In the next instant, a dull thud echoed—no one saw it coming.

Li Fengfeng’s hefty body hit the ground, followed by a sharp cry of pain.

Chen Xiaolong and Sun Aimi jumped back in shock, not even seeing who struck; Li Fengfeng was down.

Li Fengfeng lay on his back, terrified, clutching his sore backside as he yelled:

“Call the police! Quick, call the police!”

But his two subordinates froze, unsure what to do.

Xie Bingran loomed over him, her cold eyes still blazing with anger.

Li Rui stepped forward and whispered:

“Bing Ge, let us handle this.”

…

Li Fengfeng stared up at Li Rui’s lean but fierce face, his lips trembling in fear.

Just then, someone called out:

“Li Rui!”

Turning, they saw Xu Chen and Teacher Fang Jun emerging from the hotel lobby.

The crowd spotted Xu Chen and quickly murmured, “Chen Ge…”

Xu Chen hurried over and positioned himself between Xie Bingran and Li Rui.

He glanced down at Li Fengfeng, piecing together what had happened.

Li Fengfeng, Sun Aimi, and Chen Xiaolong didn’t recognize Xu Chen yet but realized he was with the group.

Li Fengfeng scrambled up, patting himself down while saying to those behind him:

“Chen Xiaolong, call the police!”

Xu Chen frowned and said coolly:

“You’re Li, right? I’m Xu Chen.”

Li Fengfeng paused, flustered.

Xu Chen stepped forward, helping him up.

Chen Xiaolong held his phone but stood frozen, eyeing Xu Chen and the others.

Xu Chen smiled politely, his tone chilly:

“Want to call the police? I can do it for you if you like?”

He pulled out his phone as if to dial.

Li Fengfeng waved his hands quickly:

“Teacher Xu Chen, it’s just a misunderstanding.

We have projects today—let’s not let this delay things.”

Li Fengfeng, being an adult, knew how to weigh his options.

If they called the police, the day’s shoot would fall apart.

And the way Xu Chen handled things so calmly and coldly made him wary—not just because they called him ‘Chen Ge’, but his overall demeanor.

Xu Chen kept his polite smile and said with a hint of ice:

“Go ahead and call if you need to?”

As he said this, he pulled out his phone, ready to dial.

Li Fengfeng quickly waved him off:

“Teacher Xu Chen, it’s really just a mix-up.

We’ve got work to do today—don’t let this hold us up.”

Li Fengfeng, as an adult, knew when to back down.

Calling the police would ruin the project for today and tomorrow.

Plus, the calm, detached way Xu Chen was acting made him think twice—not only because they called him ‘Chen Ge’, but his whole vibe screamed caution.

…

Xie Bingran turned and shot Xu Chen a look.

Xu Chen whispered softly:

“Listen, I’ve got this.”

He then said to Li Rui:

“Li Rui, take Bing Ge and the guys to grab some breakfast.

Head to the first-floor restaurant—put it on my room tab.”

Li Rui nodded and gestured; the group turned and left.

Xie Bingran glanced back at Xu Chen one more time.

Xu Chen added quietly:

“Go on.”

…

Xie Bingran said nothing and walked off with the group toward the hotel lobby.

Xu Chen signaled to Teacher Fang Jun.

Fang Jun caught on immediately and followed them inside, guiding Xie Bingran and Li Rui’s group to the restaurant.

With the crowd gone, Li Fengfeng blinked his small eyes and finally relaxed a bit.

Xu Chen maintained his courteous smile and said in a cool tone:

“So, about that call to the police? Want me to handle it?”

He pulled out his phone again, as if ready to dial.

Li Fengfeng hesitated then waved his hands:

“Teacher Xu Chen, it’s clearly a misunderstanding.

We have projects lined up today—let’s not waste time on this.”

Li Fengfeng, being the adult in the room, knew how to play it safe.

If they involved the police, the whole shoot for today and tomorrow would tank.

And Xu Chen’s calm, unflinching demeanor made him think twice—not just because of the ‘Chen Ge’ title, but his overall composed presence.