Chapter 221: City of Contrasts

Xie Bingran munched on a piece of tofu, looking like nothing more than a cute food lover at that moment.

Who would’ve guessed that a crowd of bigwigs and leaders were scrambling to attend Bing Ge’s celebration banquet tomorrow, even fine-tuning every word of their speeches?

Xu Chen was genuinely happy for Xie Bingran.

A few months ago, she’d been expelled from First High School, turning into a ‘social youth’ without even a high school diploma.

Now, though, she carried herself like a chosen one—throwing a simple victory party that drew numerous city officials.

Even Huang Aiying, the Class 3 homeroom teacher who’d once looked down on Xie Bingran, couldn’t get her autograph now.

The gap in status was vast, like clouds and mud.

Feeling Xu Chen’s gaze, Xie Bingran shifted uncomfortably and wiped her mouth with a napkin:

“Have I eaten too much?”

Xu Chen smiled warmly: “Not at all. I love feeding you the most.”

……

His mobile phone buzzed again—it was a message from Fang Jun.

[There’s definitely an issue…

The company behind ‘Aikela Cultural Communication’ is owned by ‘Li Fufen’.]

Xu Chen smirked inwardly—Li Fengfeng had finally shown his hand.

He flipped through the photos of those two quote sheets again; four items were linked to ‘Aikela Cultural Communication’.

The amounts weren’t huge, adding up to just a few thousand yuan.

Even by Black Duke Marketing’s internal rules, Li Fengfeng funneling project funds to his own company as a third-party supplier was a clear violation.

It seemed Li Fengfeng rarely used his real name ‘Li Fufen’ anymore—not just because it sounded odd, but for the convenience in his schemes.

Xu Chen thought it over; the invoices only involved a few thousand yuan so far, which felt like small potatoes.

At most, it might get Li Fengfeng fired from Black Duke Marketing, with little else in terms of punishment…

Xu Chen decided to wait and see.

Renhe Pharmaceuticals’ ad project had a substantial overall budget.

Li Fengfeng wouldn’t settle for just a few thousand in petty gains.

……

Right then, in the project group chat, Li Fengfeng sent a message.

[Update report:

All shots for the ad have been filmed today, including the main endorser scenes and backups. Big thanks to Teacher Xu Chen for the online and on-site guidance recently!

We’re moving to rough editing; the A-Copy is expected for review in three days! After rough cut approval, we’ll go into post-production.

Once again, thanks to Renhe Pharmaceuticals’ marketing team and East Morning Star Advertising for their oversight and guidance!]

Gu Xinxi from Renhe Pharmaceuticals’ marketing department, speaking for the brand, thanked the production team in the chat and specifically thanked Xu Chen.

Xu Chen responded politely, exchanging thanks in the group.

The ever-tactful ‘Teacher Xu Chen’ never skipped the social niceties.

……

……

Leaving the restaurant, Xu Chen checked the time and saw they had plenty, so he wandered around with Xie Bingran.

The evening air was oppressively humid; Xu Chen glanced up to see thick clouds blanketing Yangcheng’s sky, signaling an incoming storm.

The past few days in Yangcheng had been bright and clear; now, as they left, the downpour was imminent—almost like the weather had given them a grace period.

“In Yangcheng these last few days, what’s your favorite thing to eat?” Xu Chen asked.

Xie Bingran seemed to think it over seriously:

“Probably the first meal I had with you.”

Xu Chen: “So, that would be the dim sum at Yangcheng Restaurant.”

Xie Bingran: “Maybe it’s because I hadn’t seen you in so long—everything tasted better then.”

Xu Chen: “Who said Bing Ge is all tough talk and no charm? You’ve got such a sweet way with words.”

Xie Bingran blinked her big eyes: “I’m serious.”

……

……

They headed to the nearby parking lot, got the car, and drove out of the city, quickly merging onto the highway from the overpass.

Xie Bingran leaned toward the window, gazing at the city outside.

Xu Chen joked:

“Sticking with Bing Ge really broadens horizons— we’ve hit Shanghai and Yangcheng already!”

Xie Bingran was a bit lost in thought:

“Xu Chen, the world is so vast…”

Half a year ago, she was just a country girl who hadn’t even left Tiancheng; now she’d seen Beijing, Shanghai, and Yangcheng.

To Xie Bingran right now, the world truly felt enormous.

Even just in Beijing, Shanghai, and Yangcheng, the sights and people were completely different.

In Yangcheng alone, the old districts and new areas felt like two separate worlds…

She was still just a young girl, finding it all so fresh.

Xie Bingran suddenly turned her head, glancing at Xu Chen gripping the steering wheel.

She pursed her lips, realizing she couldn’t hold his hand while he drove.

A slight pang of disappointment crept in.

……

The drive was smooth but took over an hour.

Approaching Baiyun Airport, Xu Chen exited the highway and stopped to fill up the tank.

At checkout, he paused, remembering this was 2006—fuel prices had that surreal feel.

Thinking about it, whether in Shanghai or Yangcheng, the old districts looked much the same as they would twenty years later.

Only passing the still-under-construction Pearl River New City gave Xu Chen that jarring sense of time slipping away.

……

They drove to Baiyun Airport and headed straight to the underground return point.

The staff inspected the car thoroughly.

As a seasoned driver of over a decade, Xu Chen navigated even the chaotic old districts with ease, so this Camry was spotless.

After settling the rental and getting the deposit back, they took the elevator to the Departure Hall.

Xu Chen carried just a light backpack.

Xie Bingran had her backpack plus a small National Team black suitcase, which had been in the car’s trunk.

The suitcase was compact, so no need to check it.

With time to spare, they moved at a relaxed pace.

They picked up their boarding passes, went through security, and headed to the gate.

Xie Bingran clutched her small suitcase and edged closer to Xu Chen.

Xu Chen paused, then smiled as he figured it out.

He reached out, and she slipped her hand into his.

A warm, soft sensation filled his palm.

He couldn’t help thinking that the hand Bing Ge clenched in a fight must feel totally different from this gentle one.

Well…

In front of him, she was just a different person altogether.

No one else knew that the fierce, dominant Bing Ge could be so timid, vulnerable, and soft around Xu Chen.

For some reason, a wave of tenderness hit him, and he gripped her hand a little tighter.