Chapter 214: Unexpected Flight Change

Xie Bingran followed Xu Chen quickly through security and back to the departure hall.

They found the China Southern Airlines counter and changed their flight to the same one tomorrow evening, just before takeoff.

Xu Chen turned to Xie Bingran:

“All set!”

Xie Bingran couldn’t hide her happiness but oddly said:

“Thanks…”

Xu Chen smiled and said, “What do you want to eat or do? I’ll take you tomorrow.”

Xie Bingran replied, “Whatever you want to eat or do, I’ll go with you…”

Xu Chen grinned happily. “Great, then I’ll show you around.”

Xie Bingran thought for a moment:

“What about Wu Feifei and the others…”

Xu Chen considered it. “No problem, I’ll send a message to Teacher Fang Jun. I also need to let my dad know—he thinks I’m heading back tonight.”

Xie Bingran asked, “Where to now?”

Xu Chen pondered. “That’s a good question…”

…

They sat in the rest area for a bit, and Xu Chen first sent a text to Fang Jun.

The plane hadn’t taken off yet, so Fang Jun got the message and replied with a string of ellipses, showing his silent exasperation.

Xu Chen also sent a message to his father, Xu Zhiquan, mainly to ease his worries.

Xu Zhiquan was an open-minded dad and simply replied:

[Stay safe, have fun, and do you have enough money?]

[Money’s fine, Dad, don’t worry!]

[Make sure you’re back with Ranran by noon on the 2nd. I’ve arranged for the afternoon celebration banquet, and I’ve spoken to a few key leaders!]

[No issue, we’ll be there by noon on the 2nd!]

[Don’t bully Ranran!]

[…]

[Oh, and about the setup for the celebration banquet, there are invited media too…

Director Feng from the Publicity Department was going to meet you tomorrow to discuss it.

I’ll tell him to call you first instead.]

[That’s fine…]

…

…

Xie Bingran kept watching Xu Chen, and he smiled and asked:

“Are you hungry?”

Xie Bingran said, “Not really.”

Xu Chen replied, “I’ll take you to this amazing Japanese place, but I’m not sure if it’s open yet.”

Xie Bingran responded, “Oh.”

The place Xu Chen meant was a Japanese restaurant in a small alley off Construction Six Road in old Yangcheng. In his past life, he’d been blown away by it.

Later, when it expanded with multiple branches in Yangcheng, the taste wasn’t as good…

But in 2006, he had no idea if that original spot was even operating.

“It’s a bit far back to the city—wish we had a car.”

He thought for a second, then unzipped his backpack and pulled a black booklet from the innermost pocket.

He waved it in front of Xie Bingran.

Xie Bingran asked, “What’s that?”

Xu Chen said, “My driver’s license! Let’s rent a car so we can save time on the road.”

…

Xu Chen headed to the information desk, asked the staff a few questions, and soon led Xie Bingran downstairs.

They went straight to the underground garage, wandered around a bit, and found a car rental office near an elevator.

The staff at the information desk had recommended a few rental companies.

Some were travel agencies, others unknown car rental firms.

Renting cars had its risks, and Xu Chen didn’t want to deal with unfamiliar companies.

Losing money was one thing, but inviting trouble was another.

This particular rental company was one of the earliest internet-based platforms in the country, just starting up in early 2006, and it operated as a direct chain.

Later, its business grew to be among the top three nationwide.

Compared to those shady offline outfits, this one felt more reliable.

Xu Chen chatted briefly with the clerk and browsed the available cars on the computer.

“I’ll take that Camry,” Xu Chen said, pointing at the screen.

“Perfect, it’s a brand-new arrival with just a couple hundred kilometers on it!”

The clerk checked Xu Chen’s ID and driver’s license, then prepared the rental paperwork.

A few minutes later, another clerk brought a black Camry to the front.

Xu Chen inspected it carefully, signed the papers, and got the keys.

He opened the passenger door:

“Bing Ge, after you!”

Xie Bingran smiled and climbed in.

Xu Chen checked everything—adjusted the seat, rearview mirror, steering wheel—then confirmed the gear shift and button positions.

He made sure Xie Bingran’s seatbelt was on and slid her seat back a bit.

“Bing Ge, your legs are so long…

From a proportions standpoint, yours might be as long as mine.”

He flashed a mischievous grin:

“Maybe I’ll measure them later.”

Xie Bingran stayed composed and just said, “Oh.”

With everything set, Xu Chen released the handbrake and eased the car out.

…

A few minutes later, they merged onto the highway.

Xie Bingran glanced at the calm Xu Chen and couldn’t help asking:

“Didn’t you just get your license? You seem so comfortable driving.”

Xu Chen said, “I practiced a lot with my dad’s car at home, so I’m basically a seasoned driver.”

Xie Bingran replied, “Oh…”

Xu Chen added, “We’ll stay up on White Cloud Mountain tonight. That restaurant I sent you photos of is in a great hotel there.

Tomorrow morning, we can get up early and watch the sunrise from the peak!”

Xie Bingran said, “Sounds good…”

Xu Chen continued, “We’ll check in first, then drive out for a bit.”

Xie Bingran responded, “Oh.”

Xu Chen asked, “So, we’ll share a room, right? No problem?”

Xie Bingran hesitated a moment and shyly said, “No problem…”

Xu Chen said, “Once we get to Tiancheng tomorrow night, where do you want to stay?”

Xie Bingran thought it over. “I need to swing by the old house in the village. My household registration book is there—I have to grab it.

I’ll stay at the old place tomorrow night. Probably won’t get another chance after that.”

Xu Chen asked, “When you go to Shanghai for university, can you transfer your household registration there?”

Xie Bingran said, “Yeah.”

Xu Chen replied, “Then do that. You don’t have much tying you to your hometown anymore.”

Xie Bingran lowered her head. “Yeah.”

Xu Chen suddenly smiled. “Anyway, I’ll be studying in Shanghai too.”

Xie Bingran smiled back.

…

…

The road was smooth all the way.

It had been a while since Xu Chen drove, but he found some enjoyment in handling this 2.0-liter Camry.

The car radio happened to play Jay Chou’s “All the Way North.”

“Initial D” came out in 2005, so this song was like a year-old hit.

Though they were heading south, it still felt fitting…

But the Japanese car’s suspension showed its weaknesses on the highway, with a faint floating sensation that kept Xu Chen from speeding up too much.

An hour later, they finally pulled up to the “Banshan Lodge” along the darkened mountain road.