Chapter 278: Osaka Showdown

Noon on the 17th at Pudong International Airport.

Xu Chen had wrestled with the chaotic customs and security procedures for a couple of hours before finally wrapping them up.

These days, international flight formalities were ridiculously complicated and thorough.

After trekking a long distance, he reached the designated boarding gate.

With time to spare, he grabbed an empty seat, waiting for his flight while scrolling through his phone.

Nie Fei had contacted Xu Chen that morning to confirm the competition location, meeting time, and arrangements for tomorrow.

Fei Jie was taking the bullet train from Tokyo to Osaka today and would head straight to the venue early tomorrow to meet up with Xu Chen.

Nie Fei also sent a few photos—TV clips and newspaper pages she’d captured in Japan over the past couple of days, all related to tomorrow’s competition.

Just like the online links Wu Feifei had shared yesterday, the event was generating a lot of buzz in Japan.

This East Asia final with eight competitors, where Japanese athletes took seven spots, was something they could proudly discuss.

Meanwhile, Xu Chen shared some of the heated online discussions from back home with Nie Fei.

Nie Fei seemed aware of the domestic excitement and replied in her message:

[It looks like we won’t have to wait for the Asian Games—after this competition, Xie Bingran’s fame and reputation will skyrocket.]

Xu Chen had to admit, the current level of hype was beyond what he’d expected.

It was mainly because it coincided with September 18th and created this extreme ‘one against seven’ scenario, guaranteeing nationwide attention.

Nie Fei added:

[Our CEO Chen even messaged me today, saying he should have listened to Teacher Xu Chen’s advice…]

After hearing the report that day, he should have quickly signed Xie Bingran.

Once tomorrow’s competition is over and Xie Bingran’s fame grows, negotiating a deal will be tough.]

Xu Chen chuckled, knowing she was right.

When he proposed the idea, he had suggested signing Xie Bingran as soon as possible.

But back then, Chen Jinru wasn’t fully confident in her racing abilities.

That’s why they decided to wait for her Osaka results before pushing forward with the contract.

Now, with all this buzz, Xie Bingran’s commercial value had skyrocketed to that of a ‘hot sports star’.

And with the explosive topic, even some Olympic champions’ marketability back home might not match Bing Ge’s after tomorrow.

Of course, it all hinged on Xie Bingran delivering a convincingly strong performance in tomorrow’s race.

Fang Jun’s sister had also sent Xu Chen a few photos.

Xu Chen opened them and couldn’t help but look amused and exasperated.

The Chenfeng Technology Park was decked out with banners cheering on Xie Bingran.

No need to guess—it was his father Xu Zhiquan’s doing.

Clearly, the excitement for tomorrow’s race had already spread to their hometown in Tiancheng.

In her message, Fang Jun added:

[Your dad organized a company-wide event for tomorrow in the grand auditorium to watch Bing Ge’s race…]

[It’s got Yue Jie stressed out—it’s a last-minute big event, and pulling it together isn’t easy.]

Xu Chen: ‘……’

He thought for a moment and replied:

[Tell Yue Jie not to worry too much or get bogged down in details.

My dad’s not one for fussing over specifics.

Just get everyone together, watch the race, and that’s it—no need for extras.]

Director Feng Siliang from the City Publicity Department had reached out to Xu Chen again:

[Secretary Xia Gang is leading this, and we’re kicking off an emergency media campaign.

We’re putting together plans and articles right now…]

[Once they’re ready, we’d appreciate Teacher Xu’s input and advice!]

Xu Chen: [No problem, Director Feng! But I’ll be on the plane soon, so I might not respond right away.

You can leave messages, and I’ll reply once I land.]

Feng Siliang: [Thanks so much, Teacher Xu!]

It was important to handle Director Feng’s requests well.

When it came time to promote ‘Chenfeng Ice Power’, just a word from Director Feng Siliang would get the city’s media on board.

At least local promotion in Tiancheng wouldn’t be an issue.

On the plane, Xu Chen dozed off fitfully and woke to the buzz around him.

He opened his eyes and saw passengers peering out the window.

“Look! Mount Fuji!”

“We’re so lucky—the weather’s perfect, and it’s crystal clear!”

Xu Chen lifted the window shade and glanced down at Japan’s highest peak, one of the world’s most famous active volcanoes.

Its snow-capped summit and circular crater linked to the Earth’s deep, fiery lava.

In his previous life, Xu Chen had visited the ‘Ninoya Eight Seas’ and gazed at the mountain from the springs formed by its melting snow.

It felt like a lifetime ago.

In the afternoon, at Osaka Kansai Airport.

Xu Chen slung his backpack over his shoulder and decided to grab a meal at the airport.

Kansai Airport wasn’t huge but was easy to explore, with a food court-like area on the second floor.

Fried pork cutlets, sushi, udon noodles, beef bowls…

It had everything.

Even the McDonald’s here was famous for hidden treats you couldn’t find elsewhere.

But Xu Chen wasn’t interested in McDonald’s, so he picked a spot selling okonomiyaki, fried pork, and takoyaki.

After sitting down, a Japanese waitress in uniform approached and asked in Japanese what he’d like.

Japanese people generally weren’t great with English, but the menu had clear pictures and prices, so Xu Chen pointed to his choices and placed his order.

While waiting, he sensed eyes on him from behind.

Xu Chen turned, feeling both confused and speechless, but quickly put on a polite smile:

“You came too? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Wu Feifei was sitting at a nearby table, looking a bit awkward as she picked up her tray and walked over.

“Well, you never seem to want me around, so I didn’t dare say anything.”

“……”

Wu Feifei smiled:

“Just kidding! I didn’t want to interrupt you and Bing Ge.

I’m here to cheer for Bing Ge and hang out in Kansai for a couple of days.”

Xu Chen looked around: “By yourself?”

Wu Feifei: “Yeah, Japan’s pretty safe.”

Xu Chen: “……”

The server arrived with his tray: fried pork cutlet, udon noodles, and takoyaki.

He’d only snacked on nuts on the plane, so he was starving.

The fried pork was crispy outside and tender inside—pure bliss.

After a few bites, Xu Chen said:

“Bing Ge and I are flying back the day after tomorrow. You’re sure you’ll be okay here?”

Wu Feifei: “Don’t worry! I have a classmate in Tokyo—I’ll meet up with her the day after tomorrow.”

Xu Chen smiled: “That’s good!”

Wu Feifei pulled out her phone, excited:

“I’ve been checking out Japanese reports and doing tons of research these past couple of days!”

Xu Chen: “Oh?”

Wu Feifei looked serious:

“Out of Bing Ge’s seven opponents in the final, two might actually pose a threat.”

Wu Feifei flipped through her phone, analyzing for Xu Chen.

It turned out Japan’s women’s short-track scene had some rising stars.

In tomorrow’s final, two twenty-year-olds had personal bests under 12 seconds—one at 12.89 and the other at 12.94.

One was Akabane Kaoru with a personal best of 12.89 seconds.

The other was Tajimi Yukiji with 12.94 seconds.

Wu Feifei continued:

“These two are only twenty, but they’re already at the top in Japan.

According to Japanese media, they’re on par with Asia’s best.

Bing Ge hit 12.62 at the National Games, which is faster than both.

But from what I’ve read in Japanese analyses and some pro comments back home, the final’s still up in the air.

A 12.62 versus 12.89 or 12.94 is basically the same level.

That tiny gap could flip with factors like starts, wind, or mindset.

So Japanese media and fans are still betting on their girls!”

She paused, a hint of worry crossing her face:

“Plus, Bing Ge’s competing away from home—the crowd will be cheering for the other seven.

I wonder if it’ll affect her mentally.

From what I’ve seen, at the elite level, it’s all about mindset when skills are so close!”

Xu Chen chewed his fried pork big bites, just smiling calmly.

Wu Feifei: “You never seem worried about Bing Ge’s races!”

Xu Chen, mouth full, mumbled:

“As long as Bing Ge doesn’t hold back, she’ll be fine.”

After eating, they headed out together to catch a cab.

They were both staying near the Nagai Stadium for tomorrow’s event, but at different hotels.

Wu Feifei got in the cab and used her somewhat clumsy Japanese to tell the driver their destinations.

The driver was an elderly man with gray hair, probably in his sixties or seventies.

He drove a spotless black Toyota Crown Comfort that shone like a mirror.

This classic Toyota model was popular for cabs in places like Hong Kong.

Osaka, Japan’s second-largest city, had excellent transport links.

The cab sped along the highway, with typical Japanese buildings whizzing by on both sides.

In conversation, Xu Chen learned Wu Feifei had visited Japan with her father as a child but didn’t remember much.

So this trip to Osaka felt fresh, like her first time.

Xu Chen couldn’t help saying:

“You’re really brave, traveling alone like this!”

Wu Feifei just smiled confidently without replying.

They dropped Wu Feifei off first at her hotel, right next to Nagai Stadium, so she’d have an easy walk tomorrow.

The cab turned around, crossed a couple of streets, and pulled up at Xu Chen’s hotel, the ‘Asia Osaka Hotel’.

The driver didn’t speak English but smoothly pointed to the meter.

As Xu Chen paid, he mentally calculated—it was about 500 yuan.

This was still 2006.

Cabs in Japan were insanely expensive!

The room wasn’t spacious but was neat and tidy.

Xu Chen rummaged through the mini-fridge and grabbed a cold bottle of genmaicha tea.

He lounged on the fabric armchair, flipping on the TV with the remote.

Channel-surfing local stations, he quickly found reports on tomorrow’s competition.

Sure enough, they featured athletes like Akabane Kaoru and Tajimi Yukiji.

Though he couldn’t understand Japanese, the news portrayed the seven finalists as ‘neon heroes’.

Akabane Kaoru and Tajimi Yukiji got flashy screen time.

Xu Chen waited a while before they briefly mentioned the seventh finalist—the only foreign competitor.

It was a quick mention, no special footage, just text with basic info.

Mainly Xie Bingran’s qualifying and semifinal stats.

From those rounds, nothing stood out as impressive.

Xu Chen sipped his cool genmaicha and smiled.

Bing Ge was clearly holding back again.

Exhausted from travel, Xu Chen took a hot shower first.

He settled comfortably into bed as night fully fell outside.

The city lights twinkled, casting faint shadows across the window.

His phone buzzed with messages—it was from the class QQ group.

They were discussing tomorrow’s East Asia Youth Games in Osaka.

Clearly, the event had spread around Tonghai University’s campus.

Maybe it was linked to Bai Miao, making the topic catch on faster.

Plus, it was already trending nationwide.

In the group, ‘Jiangsu-Zhejiang Little Prince’ Qian Xin had turned into Bing Ge’s biggest fanboy.

He shared articles about Xie Bingran and suggested:

“Let’s find a spot to watch her race together tomorrow!”

Huang Hao jumped in:

“How about the Little Yellow Building lecture hall? It’s free in the morning, with a big TV and projector.”

Other guys quickly chimed in.

Clearly, they’d been hyped about tomorrow’s race and the ‘powerhouse girl’ all day.

Even Deputy Class Monitor Huo Dashan offered:

“I’ll check with the college staff—we can borrow the hall!”

Some girls in the group were clueless:

“What competition is this?”

“Xie Bingran—who’s that? Never heard of her.”

“Women’s 100m hurdles? Why isn’t Bai Miao in it?!”

Qian Xin and Huang Hao stepped up as explainers, spinning the backstory with extra flair.

When they mentioned the ‘one against seven’ and September 18th, even the girls who didn’t follow sports or news got hooked.

Checking the links Qian Xin shared, they saw Xie Bingran’s cool, fierce vibe and reacted:

“This powerhouse girl is awesome!”