Chapter 225: Dawn’s Gentle Embrace

White moonlight, white mosquito net.

The two lay face to face, their four hands clasped together.

Xu Chen opened his eyes and saw Xie Bingran blinking hers, still watching him.

“Why aren’t you sleeping?”

“I don’t want to…” Xie Bingran whispered back.

Xu Chen freed one hand and gently touched her cheek.

“Be good, go to sleep. We have to get up early tomorrow.”

“Oh.”

She closed her eyes softly and squeezed his hand tightly.

Xu Chen shut his eyes, but after a moment, he peeked open again…

Sure enough, Xie Bingran was staring at him.

“…”

She bit her lip lightly and murmured,

“Can I come into your arms?”

Xu Chen sighed quietly:

“This is really testing my self-control…”

Xie Bingran didn’t quite get it and thought it was a way of dodging, her face showing a hint of sadness.

Xu Chen lifted his arm, opening his embrace to her.

Xie Bingran smiled, shifted closer, and happily snuggled in.

Like a puppy returning home.

…

…

The sky was just beginning to lighten at dawn.

Xu Chen woke to the crowing of roosters in the village.

Still groggy, he reached out and found Xie Bingran wasn’t in his arms anymore.

He sat up and heard noises from below—clearly, Xie Bingran was already up.

He crawled out of the mosquito net, stretched lazily, and checked his phone—it wasn’t even six yet.

Descending the stone steps from the rooftop, he saw Xie Bingran sweeping the main room with a broom.

Spotting him, she quickly set the broom aside and came over.

“You could sleep a bit longer.”

Xu Chen smiled and took her warm, soft hand:

“Let me help you clean up!”

“I’ve already finished…

I figured we won’t be back for a while, so I just gave it a quick sweep.”

She paused. “We should leave before it gets fully light. I don’t want to run into anyone from the village.”

“Alright.”

Xie Bingran lowered her head but then threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly as if reluctant to let go.

Xu Chen’s heart softened, and he stroked her head gently.

…

They climbed back to the south house roof together, taking down the mosquito net, mat, and bamboo poles, putting everything away.

They scooped some cool well water from the basin and freshened up quickly.

Xie Bingran washed her face and used her damp hands to slick back the hair on her forehead, revealing her cool ‘Bing Ge’ look.

“What?” she asked, noticing Xu Chen staring.

“Can’t I look?” Xu Chen teased.

Xie Bingran smiled and headed to the inner room, probably to grab something.

Xu Chen picked up the thermos and poured himself a cup of water from last night.

The thermos didn’t keep it hot, so it was just warm enough to drink.

Xu Chen took a sip and tasted its fresh, sweet flavor.

…

Xie Bingran slung on her backpack, glanced around the house, then walked out with Xu Chen.

They removed the wooden door latch, and the door creaked open.

They looked around—the alley was empty, but sounds of chickens and dogs came from deeper in the village.

They shut the door and locked it.

Xie Bingran checked it, then knelt to tuck the key under a brick in the corner.

…

Xu Chen started the car, the engine noise drawing barks from nearby dogs.

He turned the car around and drove off.

Xie Bingran held her backpack in her lap, glancing back through the window for one last look…

At the village where she’d lived for over a decade, filled with both happy and painful memories.

…

The car stopped for a bit by the graveyard along the river.

Xie Bingran got out alone and said her goodbyes at her grandmother’s grave.

When she returned to the car, her eyes were red.

Xu Chen didn’t say anything; he just smiled and gently pinched her cheek.

The car started up again, bumping along the uneven rural road by the river as they headed out.

…

“I’ll take you for some food first, and we can hang out a bit in the morning…

But I need to swing by my dad’s company at noon to pick up a few things, then head to the event site in the afternoon.”

Xu Chen glanced at Xie Bingran:

“Anything you’re in the mood for?”

Xie Bingran thought seriously, then asked:

“What about you?”

“That’s a good question…”

He pondered. “I remember when we were in middle school, I took you to that flaky bread place behind the school. Wonder if it’s still open…”

…

Half an hour later, they arrived in the town.

The sun was up, and the streets bustled with people.

Xu Chen drove straight to the middle school in town and parked in a side alley behind it.

They got out and walked a few steps to the school gate.

“It hasn’t changed a bit,” Xu Chen said, looking up at the campus inside the iron gate.

Xie Bingran pointed. “Is that our old classroom?”

Xu Chen nodded with a smile.

…

They crossed the alley behind the school and reached the flaky bread breakfast shop.

The place was alive with the smell of food, filled with elderly customers having breakfast.

Xie Bingran sat casually at a small table by the door while Xu Chen went in to get the bread.

Freshly baked, piping-hot flaky bread, two bowls of warm soybean milk, a dish of beef offal, and a plate of pickled vegetables.

The beef offal was all for Xu Chen—Xie Bingran didn’t touch it.

The bread was golden and crispy, crunching with every bite.

Inside, it was soft and layered, bursting with aroma.

Paired with a bowl of hot soybean milk—it was pure bliss.

Bing Ge ate heartily, devouring a piece in a few big bites.

“Want more?” Xu Chen asked with a grin.

Bing Ge brushed off her hands. “I’m full.”

Xu Chen chewed on a piece of tendon and added,

“School’s still on summer break, so it should be empty…

I recall there’s a small gate behind the dormitory building. Not sure if we can slip in.”

Bing Ge casually said,

“Just go through the staff dorm’s back door…”

Xu Chen paused.

But he quickly realized that when it came to skipping class or being late, Bing Ge was probably more experienced than him.

…

As they left, Xie Bingran stopped at a nearby store and bought a pack of soft Red Double Happiness cigarettes.

She tucked the pack into her pocket and walked out with her hands in her pockets.

“For the security guard,” Bing Ge explained.

Xu Chen: “…”

Xie Bingran: “Back then, we’d sneak in through the back gate and just give him a cigarette.”

“…”

…

At the staff dormitory’s back door.

The iron gate had a latch but no lock.

A guard sat in the booth, his face hidden behind a newspaper.

Xie Bingran walked up with her hands in her pockets, smoothly unlatched the gate, and pushed it open like it was second nature.

Xu Chen followed Bing Ge, finding the whole thing oddly thrilling.

The guard heard the noise, lowered his newspaper, and stared at Xie Bingran in surprise.

Xie Bingran said nothing and handed him the pack of Red Double Happiness.

The guard smiled and took it:

“If it isn’t ‘Bing Ge’! Haven’t seen you in ages.”

Xie Bingran nodded and walked inside with her hands still in her pockets.

Xu Chen trailed after her, mimicking the pose.

The guard settled back down, tore open the pack, and lit a cigarette.

As he did, he glanced at the newspaper beside him:

“Tiancheng’s star athlete Xie Bingran breaks the National Games women’s 100-meter hurdles record…”

It came with a slightly blurry photo.

The guard took a deep drag, his eyes wide with astonishment.