Chapter 235: Whispers of Evening Plans

Wu Yue walked back, holding several documents.

“All copied!”

She handed the documents to Xu Chen as she spoke.

“Thanks, Yue Jie!” Xu Chen smiled sweetly.

Wu Yue seemed to remember something and leaned in closer, whispering:

“President Xu wants to find a place to drink tonight…”

“What kind of alcohol does he usually like? And what hotel or restaurant would be suitable?”

“I’ve never arranged anything for President Xu before, so I’m not sure…”

Xu Chen chuckled, surprised that these tasks would fall to Wu Yue.

Still, it was a good thing. Wu Yue had been the administrative manager for years and was meticulous and reliable, so she could help ease some of the burdens on his father, Xu Zhiquan.

“For my dad’s drinks, Yue Jie, you should ask Li Rui first.”

“He usually keeps some liquor in his car trunk. If it’s there, no need to buy more.”

“He prefers strong-aroma baijiu, and privately, he drinks a lot of Luzhou and Yanghe…”

“As for meals, he isn’t picky. As long as it’s lively with fish and meat, he’s happy.”

Xu Chen thought for a moment:

“Who’s coming tonight?”

Wu Yue: “Not many people.”

“President Xu, Town Chief Feng, Fang Jun, Li Rui…”

“And Miss Wu and her friend.”

Xu Chen felt a bit speechless; he hadn’t expected Wu Feifei and Huang Qianqian to really tag along.

“Then let’s prepare some beer and drinks too. I’m not sure what those two like.”

Wu Yue: “Got it, that gives me a clear idea.”

She showed a hint of embarrassment. “I’m always worried I’ll mess up and make President Xu angry.”

Xu Chen smiled and said:

“Don’t worry! My dad’s easygoing. He’s always cheerful and doesn’t get mad easily.”

Wu Yue smiled and turned to get busy.

Xu Chen glanced back at Xie Bingran; Coach Cheng Hong was still talking with her.

Bureau Chief Gao Guangya, Chen Ming, and Tian Fangfang were accompanying Director Li Yue from the Sports Administration.

Principal Huang Hua was older, so he had left earlier with Principal Yang…

Xu Chen waited a bit before heading over.

He walked straight up to Li Yue:

“Director Li, all the materials are copied.”

He handed the documents to Li Yue.

Li Yue took them with a smile and said:

“Don’t worry, young Xu. I’ll consider and fight for Xie Bingran personally, and I’ll weigh how to report and communicate it upward.”

“I’m truly grateful and sorry to trouble you, Director Li.”

Coach Cheng Hong stood up:

“Alright, we need to catch our flight. Xie Bingran has an important competition next month and needs to resume training early tomorrow.”

“We have to take her back tonight; that’s the task Sun Coach gave me.”

Bureau Chief Gao Guangya said:

“The car and driver are waiting downstairs. We’ll get you to the North Station Aviation Port right now.”

Since Cheng Hong and Li Yue were from the National Team and Sports Administration, their travel and reception were handled by the City Sports Bureau, including the transport arranged by Gao Guangya.

Cheng Hong remembered something and smiled at Xu Chen:

“Oh, right. Xie Bingran asked me to bring something for you; it’s in the car!”

“I’ll grab it for you now…”

She glanced back at Xie Bingran.

Xie Bingran lowered her head slightly, looking a bit embarrassed.

…

The group chatted as they went downstairs.

When they stepped out, daylight still lingered; it wasn’t too late.

Gao Guangya and the others accompanied Cheng Hong and Li Yue, while Xu Chen and Xie Bingran quietly fell to the back of the group.

In a moment when no one noticed, Xu Chen couldn’t help but gently take Xie Bingran’s hand.

She didn’t pull away, but when Cheng Hong turned back, she quickly withdrew it.

Even Bing Ge had her shy, girlish moments.

They reached a van, and the driver stepped out respectfully, opening the rear door.

Cheng Hong pulled out a small black suitcase—it was one of the National Team’s compact luggage cases, identical to Xie Bingran’s.

She handed the suitcase to Xu Chen with a smile but didn’t say anything, just glanced at Xie Bingran.

Xie Bingran explained:

“A couple of days ago, you said this suitcase looked good, so I asked Coach Cheng to get an extra one for you.”

Xu Chen smiled, feeling touched.

He had only mentioned it casually, but Xie Bingran had remembered.

Cheng Hong teased, “This is like bending the rules. Your Bing Ge owes me a favor now.”

Xu Chen laughed, “Too bad you’re catching a flight today, Coach Cheng. Next time we’re in Beijing or Shanghai, I’ll treat you to a meal!”

Cheng Hong: “Sounds good! You owe me one.”

She smiled at Xie Bingran and then said to everyone:

“Okay, we need to catch the airport shuttle!”

Xu Chen looked at Xie Bingran beside him; she seemed cold and expressionless, but there was a clear hint of reluctance.

He thought for a moment and said:

“Xie Bingran’s household registration book is at my dad’s company. I need to take her to get it.”

“I’ll drop her off at the North Station Aviation Port directly…”

Cheng Hong paused, then quickly caught on, smirking as she said:

“Alright, but don’t be late!”

“If I don’t get her back tonight, Sun Coach will have my head.”

Xu Chen: “Don’t worry, Coach Cheng! I’ll get her documents and take her straight to the North Station.”

Xie Bingran stood next to Xu Chen, silent, but joy bubbled up inside her.

Yet, mixed with the joy was a touch of sadness.

…

Coach Cheng Hong and Director Li Yue got into the car and waved goodbye as they drove off.

Xu Chen and Xie Bingran didn’t wait; they said goodbye to Gao Guangya, Chen Ming, and Tian Fangfang, then quickly got into their car.

Xu Chen turned the key, started the engine, and pulled out of the parking lot.

The car didn’t head to Jinfeng Business Tower; Xie Bingran’s household book wasn’t there.

It was just an excuse to spend a little more time alone.

The car went toward the North Station Aviation Port, but Xu Chen took a different route—a smaller road that avoided Cheng Hong’s path and was even shorter.

Xie Bingran sat in the passenger seat, silently watching Xu Chen drive.

…

After a few kilometers of winding turns, the car stopped under a secluded bridge near the North Station.

Xu Chen pulled the handbrake and checked the time.

“We have about ten minutes…”

Xie Bingran pursed her lips, her big, watery eyes blinking as she looked at Xu Chen.

Xu Chen smiled: “Let’s go to the back seat.”

“Mm…”

They both opened their doors and slipped into the back from either side.

The doors closed with two soft thuds, echoing the urgency of their stolen moments.

The old rented Magotan had a spacious back seat.

As soon as they were inside, they wrapped their arms around each other tightly…

Xie Bingran rested her head on Xu Chen’s shoulder, her arms around his, and closed her eyes.

Xu Chen gently stroked her head, like comforting a hurt puppy.

The spot under the bridge was quiet.

The engine hummed softly, with the AC’s whoosh in the background.

But clearer still were their breaths and heartbeats…

They didn’t speak; in those borrowed minutes, they just held each other close.

…

Time slipped away unnoticed.

Xu Chen shifted slightly and whispered:

“Let me see you.”

They couldn’t see each other while hugging, and he already missed her face.

They pulled back a little, hands still linked.

Xie Bingran pursed her lips, her eyes full of grievance and tears, gazing at Xu Chen.

His heart softened, and he pulled her into another tight embrace.

Seeing those eyes, he truly understood what ‘full of emotion’ meant.

Xu Chen reflected on his feelings; those cheesy lines from books were real after all.

They hadn’t even parted yet, but the longing had started.

…

Xu Chen was surprised at himself; he really liked Xie Bingran that much.

…

They held on a bit longer, but their ten minutes were almost up.

Their hearts, so close, reluctantly pulled apart as they locked eyes.

Xie Bingran’s eyes were still teary, like a starving, chilled puppy.

She bit her lip softly and whispered:

“Do you want to kiss me?”

Xu Chen paused: “Can I?”

Xie Bingran pursed her lips: “No…”

“Why?”

“Because if I let you want it but not have it, you’ll be more eager to see me next time…”

“You’re so cruel.”

Tears rolled down:

“You’re the cruel one…”

“I only told you I liked you, and you ignored me for years.”

Xu Chen touched her face: “Never again.”

Xie Bingran buried her face in his chest, wiping her tears on his shirt.

She sat up, tilting her head to study Xu Chen closely.

In the dim evening light of the car, she seemed to memorize every detail of his face.

Suddenly, she raised her right hand, touched her lips with her fingers…

Then gently touched his lips with them.

Xu Chen said, almost playfully:

“Next time, I’m really going to kiss you senseless…”

…

…

The sunset faded, and lights began to twinkle.

Xu Chen drove alone, his heart feeling empty.

Xie Bingran had boarded the airport shuttle with Cheng Hong and Li Yue, heading to the Provincial Capital, and would reach the National Team dormitory in Beijing tonight.

His phone rang suddenly; it was an unknown number.

Answering, he found it was EMS delivery.

“Just leave it at the building’s first-floor security room.” Xu Chen said over the phone.

…

Twenty minutes later, the black Magotan stopped outside Jinfeng Business Tower.

Xu Chen went to the security room, picked up a cardboard box package.

He carried the box upstairs in the elevator to the 8th floor, entered the reception room with the code.

He found scissors on the table, cut open the box, and revealed a large wolf dog plush toy inside.

Xu Chen smiled, pulled out the soft “wolf dog,” and held it to his nose.

Well…

It faintly carried the pleasant scent from Bing Ge.

…

…