Chapter 218: City Strolls and Sweet Moments

Xie Bingran seemed to really love Yangzhi Ganlu, so Xu Chen ordered two more bowls for her.

Bing Ge looked a bit embarrassed but still grabbed the silver spoon and dug in with gusto.

Xu Chen held his phone, furrowing his brow slightly.

Xie Bingran: “What’s wrong?”

Xu Chen: “Nothing, just thinking about how to plan tomorrow and if I’ve missed anything.”

Xie Bingran mumbled with a mouthful:

“Xu Chen, I think you’re amazing.”

“Huh? Amazing how?”

Xie Bingran: “Just amazing all around!”

Xu Chen smiled: “Even if I’m amazing, I’m not as amazing as you, the champion.”

Xie Bingran: “Then we’re both amazing…”

…

Xu Chen thought it over briefly, then called his father Xu Zhiquan first.

It was mainly to confirm the invitations from the leaders.

Xu Zhiquan had already reached out to several important leaders and synced up with Director Feng Siliang.

The on-site arrangements for tomorrow would be handled by the company’s admin manager Wu Yue, so Xu Chen said he’d call her later to check the details.

Xu Zhiquan reminded him again on the phone:

“Have fun out there, but remember two things.

First, don’t bully Ranran. Second, make sure you’re back by tomorrow afternoon.”

After hanging up with his father, Xu Chen dialed Wu Yue directly to ask about tomorrow’s on-site situation.

It involved coordinating with Director Feng Siliang, so Xu Chen gave a few specific instructions.

Feng Siliang’s cautious nature was actually a plus when dealing with leaders—it meant paying attention to every little detail.

With Feng Siliang around, it quietly avoided some minor risks.

Xu Zhiquan’s easygoing style meant he overlooked the small stuff, but Feng Siliang could handle that.

…

Xu Chen sent a message to Coach Cheng Hong to ask about tomorrow’s schedule.

He quickly got a reply from Cheng Hong.

[I was just about to tell you—Coach Sun can’t make it tomorrow…

About the endorsement deal for Xie Bingran that you mentioned last time, I talked to an internal director in charge. He’ll come with me on the trip tomorrow.

We’ll chat about it in person when we meet.]

[That’s so kind of you, Coach Cheng! Please send me your and his ID info, and I’ll have the company admin book your travel!]

[Don’t worry about that! The City Sports Bureau knows we’re coming, so they’ll handle it.]

[Okay, then welcome to Tiancheng, Coach Cheng!]

[After the celebration banquet, I’ll have to take your Bing Ge away, so make the most of your time with her. She’s been sleeping with that backpack you gave her every night…]

…

Xu Chen smiled at Cheng Hong’s message and glanced up at Xie Bingran.

Bing Ge had a small spoon in her mouth and blinked:

“What’s up?”

Xu Chen: “I’ll get you a big dog!”

Xie Bingran: “What big dog?”

…

Ten minutes later, they arrived at a toy store.

The shop was packed with all sorts of fabric plushies.

A bunch of kids, from a few to a dozen years old, were excitedly touching everything and chattering happily.

Xie Bingran followed Xu Chen, still unsure why he brought her here.

Xu Chen picked up a large German Shepherd plushie and grinned at Xie Bingran:

“This one’s you!”

There wasn’t a ‘wolf dog’ here, but the German Shepherd was close enough.

Besides, German Shepherds were originally called ‘German Wolf Dogs’.

Xie Bingran held the German Shepherd plushie, squeezing its soft face:

“This is too cute—it doesn’t look like me at all.”

Xu Chen: “Aren’t you cute?”

Xie Bingran thought for a moment: “The wolf dog version of me isn’t cute…”

Xu Chen snatched the ‘wolf dog’ plushie back:

“I think it’s cute.”

He looked up at the sea of dog plushies:

“Pick one!”

Xie Bingran looked puzzled: “Pick what kind?”

Xu Chen: “Pick one that you think looks like me.”

Xie Bingran pondered, wandered among the dog plushies, and pulled out a big Labrador.

Xu Chen looked confused: “Why a Labrador for me?”

Xie Bingran thought: “You sometimes have that same expression as it.”

“??”

Xu Chen felt a bit speechless.

He walked over, squeezed the Labrador’s plump face, and said with a smile:

“Then let it keep you company while you sleep.”

Xie Bingran paused, finally getting it.

She blinked her big eyes and showed a hint of embarrassment.

But she hugged the big dog a little tighter…

After checking out, they left with a big dog plushie each.

Xie Bingran held the Labrador and suddenly leaned in to sniff it.

She said:

“Let’s switch and hold each other’s for a bit.”

Xu Chen: “Huh?”

He didn’t quite get it but swapped the plushies with her anyway.

Xie Bingran turned to look at Xu Chen:

“Hold it a bit tighter!”

“?”

So, in Tianhe City’s mall, a guy and a girl wandered around, each clutching a huge dog-shaped thing…

Drawing plenty of stares.

Xu Chen: “We’ll find a post office later and ship yours straight to your dormitory!”

Xie Bingran thought: “No, you hold it for the next couple of days!”

Xu Chen looked puzzled: “Why?”

Xie Bingran said seriously: “It’ll have your scent on it now!”

Xu Chen: “…”

Xie Bingran glanced at the ‘wolf dog’-like plushie in her arms:

“This one will have mine too.”

Xu Chen: “You’re just like a little dog yourself!”

…

…

It was mealtime, but neither was very hungry.

Xie Bingran clearly wasn’t into shopping malls, so Xu Chen led her out.

Each carrying a big dog plushie, they strolled into a nearby residential area next to Tianhe City.

It had neat six- or seven-story houses with small shops on the ground floor.

Mostly cafes, pastries, and book cafes…

Xie Bingran: “I didn’t know there was a residential area right behind the big mall!”

Xu Chen: “This neighborhood is probably going for six or seven hundred thousand per square meter now.”

Xie Bingran looked surprised: “That expensive?”

Xu Chen: “It’s all about the location—Tianhe City, Zhengjia, the Sports Center, and it’s right by the subway station.”

He glanced around:

“But when it first launched, it was only two or three thousand per square meter.

Back then, this area was like the ‘countryside’ of Guangzhou, with the city center in Yuexiu District.

No one wanted houses here at the time—who’d have thought it’d become the most central and bustling spot now?”

Xie Bingran: “I thought three hundred thousand was a lot, but here it only buys four or five square meters.”

Xu Chen: “Bing Ge, you’ll be even wealthier someday. Forget here—even places like Lujiazui, you could buy if you wanted.”