Chapter 213: Whispers of Secrets

Xu Chen casually made up an excuse: “I heard it from a client. They said the boss’s real name isn’t Li Fengfeng.”

Chen Xiaolong: “That’s right. The boss never uses his real name outside, including at the company.”

I only found out because I occasionally book his travel for him.”

Xu Chen knew this from his past life, of course.

In his previous life, as one of Li Fengfeng’s subordinates, he once overheard a girl on the team mention that the boss’s real name wasn’t Li Fengfeng, and it was all very mysterious…

Fang Jun frowned in thought, seeming to grasp Xu Chen’s intention.

To investigate those third-party procurement companies on the quote invoices, if Li Fengfeng was up to something, the easiest way would be to pass the project to his own companies through self-dealing.

With Li Fengfeng having another real name, it was even more worth checking out.

If he really did that, it was pretty bold.

But in 2006, there weren’t public business information platforms like Tianyan Check or Qixinbao yet.

Unless someone like Xu Chen and Fang Jun went out of their way to find channels, most companies wouldn’t think to check…

Xu Chen smiled and spoke up again:

“So, what’s the boss’s real name?”

Chen Xiaolong gave an awkward smile, showing a hint of hesitation.

Xu Chen: “If it’s not okay to say, that’s fine. I’m just curious.”

Chen Xiaolong added: “The boss seems pretty sensitive about his real name.”

“Mr. Xu, please don’t spread it around!”

Xu Chen laughed: “Don’t worry, I’m just curious for myself.”

Chen Xiaolong gave another awkward smile:

“The boss’s real name is ‘Li Fufen’…”

Xu Chen deliberately repeated it: “Li Fufen?”

Chen Xiaolong: “The ‘fu’ from wealthy, and ‘fen’ with the grass radical…”

“It’s a name that sounds a bit feminine, so the boss probably doesn’t like using it.”

Xu Chen glanced at Fang Jun, who nodded expressionlessly.

…

…

The car dropped Xu Chen and his companion right at the departure hall, where Chen Xiaolong helped unload their backpacks before politely saying goodbye.

They had an hour until takeoff, which was just about perfect.

Xu Chen and Fang Jun had no large luggage, so they quickly got their boarding passes from the machine and headed to line up for security.

They walked straight to gate 26 and spotted Xie Bingran, Wu Feifei, and Huang Qianqian.

Xie Bingran sat quietly, lost in thought, hugging her brown backpack with her long legs stretched out ahead.

Wu Feifei and Huang Qianqian leaned against each other, eyes closed as if asleep.

Xie Bingran turned and saw Xu Chen, a flicker of joy crossing her cold eyes.

She pulled in her legs to stand but settled back down, just smiling at Xu Chen and Fang Jun.

Xu Chen smiled and sat next to Xie Bingran.

Fang Jun took a seat beside Wu Feifei.

Wu Feifei and Huang Qianqian woke at the noise and greeted them warmly.

Xu Chen said with a smile:

“Have you all eaten dinner?”

Wu Feifei: “Not yet, but we’re not hungry.”

Huang Qianqian: “Yeah, that Shunde place you recommended was amazing. We ate way too much at lunch…”

“This trip to Yangcheng, I’ll probably gain at least three pounds.”

Wu Feifei remembered something and looked at Xu Chen:

“My dad mentioned you’re throwing a celebration banquet for Bing Ge!”

“He’s already got an invite, so can I come too?”

Xu Chen smiled: “Of course you can.”

Huang Qianqian: “Then I’m coming along.”

Xu Chen: “You’re welcome!”

Huang Qianqian couldn’t help adding:

“I’ve heard your family runs a factory, but I thought it was just a small one in the township.”

“I only found out from Feifei that it’s actually a big plant in the city center…”

Xu Chen: “You’re overestimating it. It’s still just a small operation.”

“It doesn’t compare to your backgrounds…”

Huang Qianqian: “Don’t lump me in with them. I can’t compare to those two!”

Wu Feifei teased: “Don’t be modest, Miss Huang. My dad specifically told me to get on your good side!”

…

Overall, Xie Bingran and Fang Jun were both a bit unique as girls—more on the quiet side.

Of course, their quietness had some big differences.

Wu Feifei and Huang Qianqian, though, were more like typical girls their age—optimistic, outgoing, and chatty.

Bing Ge’s “girlhood” had missed out on hanging with peers like that.

Xu Chen was glad she could connect with Wu Feifei and Huang Qianqian.

Back at the national team, there was Coach Cheng Hong and roommate Bai Miao, who could offer that kind of friendship too.

…

After some chatter, it was time to board.

Passengers had formed a long line, so Xu Chen and the others got up and joined with their luggage.

Xu Chen and Xie Bingran brought up the rear, each with a big backpack.

Xie Bingran stayed silent, head slightly lowered.

Xu Chen glanced at her and felt a wave of coolness.

“What’s wrong?” Xu Chen asked softly.

Xie Bingran looked at him and shook her head: “Nothing…”

Yet in her cold eyes, a faint trace of loneliness showed.

For some reason, Xu Chen suddenly recalled that in May, Xie Bingran had stayed overnight at the airport just to see him one more time the next day.

Now, thinking back, during their few days in Yangcheng, he hadn’t really spent quality time with her.

Besides his own busy schedule with the ad shoot, there were always Wu Feifei and the others around.

Maybe that’s why she’d snuck to his room in the middle of the night, saying she just wanted to spend more time with him…

And after they got back to Tiancheng and handled the celebration banquet, she’d have to leave.

Xu Chen frowned, feeling a pang of regret.

…

He thought for a moment, then reached out and tugged Xie Bingran’s arm.

She turned, her cold face showing confusion.

Xu Chen flashed a mischievous smile and whispered:

“Come with me, quietly…”

While Fang Jun, Wu Feifei, and Huang Qianqian weren’t looking, he pulled Xie Bingran out of the line.

Xie Bingran, unsure what was happening, followed him quickly to a nearby rest area.

Xu Chen led her sneakily behind the water dispenser.

Xie Bingran asked: “What are you up to?”

Xu Chen: “Tomorrow’s for the celebration prep, and the flight isn’t until the 2nd.”

Xie Bingran frowned: “And?”

Xu Chen gave a warm smile:

“We can sneak in one more day together.”

Xie Bingran paused, blinking her big eyes.

Xu Chen added with a grin:

“Just the two of us.”

After a moment, Xie Bingran smiled faintly.

Xu Chen peeked back:

“Hurry and get us rebooked. Since the flight hasn’t left, we might save a couple hundred on fees!”

With that, he turned and dashed off.

Xie Bingran tightened the straps on her backpack and hurried after him, smiling.

…

…”