Chapter 285: Sightseeing in the Foreign City

Xu Chen wore a light gray T-shirt and light sports pants today.

To match him, Xie Bingran chose a light gray training outfit and the same light sports pants.

Xu Chen sat on the edge of the bed, admiring Bing Ge’s long legs, and couldn’t help shaking his head.

“What’s up?” Xie Bingran asked.

“You just won the championship today, so your legs must be really sore, right? ……”

“In the evening, do you need me to give you a massage?”

Xie Bingran: “……”

……

They only stayed in Osaka for the afternoon and evening.

Xu Chen decided to take Xie Bingran out for a stroll—it was a rare trip to Kansai.

Tomorrow morning, Xie Bingran had National Team activities, and in the afternoon, she’d catch a flight out.

The original plan was for Xie Bingran, Bai Miao, Dong Jiajia, and two other teammates who would train in Shanghai to fly directly there tomorrow afternoon and settle in at the Xin Zhuang Training Base.

But Xie Bingran had just gotten a call from Coach Cheng Hong—her championship win had created such a big stir that they’d scheduled an important leadership meeting and celebration in Beijing.

Officially, the celebration was for the Athletics Team.

Yet everyone knew it was really just for Bing Ge.

Xie Bingran felt reluctant about not heading to Shanghai with Xu Chen.

Luckily, it was only a two-day stop in Beijing; after the event, she could join the team there.

Xu Chen comforted her—it was all for her, and some high-level leaders would attend, ones even he couldn’t imagine.

……

They left the lobby and first hailed a cab to Xu Chen’s hotel to check out.

Fortunately, they weren’t over the time limit, so no extra fees.

His luggage was just a small backpack, which he slung over his shoulder.

Out of the hotel, they flagged down a taxi and headed straight for Osaka Castle Park.

The Keep Tower was a must-see spot.

Xie Bingran didn’t care much about where they went, but as long as she was with Xu Chen, she was happy and content.

……

Osaka Castle Park.

Right at the entrance stood a dark statue of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

One of the ‘Warring States Three Heroes,’ he ended Japan’s chaos and unified the land as the ‘Ruler of All Under Heaven.’

Crossing the moat and walls, they looked up at Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s Keep Tower.

Its walls were white, the roof tiles green.

The upturned eaves featured gold leaf decorations of tigers and dragonfish heads.

Xu Chen played tour guide, sharing bits of history about the era.

Stories of the one-night castle, the Keep Tower, and the man who rose from a lowly farmer to become the ‘Ruler of All Under Heaven.’

Xie Bingran held Xu Chen’s hand and whispered:

“You know so much…”

Xu Chen smiled:

“I have to thank Sister Wu Yue—she printed out a bunch of travel guides for me!”

Of course, besides what Wu Yue had given him, Xu Chen’s knowledge of Japan’s Warring States period came from a game he’d played all night in his past life, ‘Warriors Orochi.’

As a kid, playing games gave him grand ideas about Japan’s Warring States era.

But as he grew up and read some real or fabricated histories, he realized that tiny nation’s ‘Warring States’ was more like skirmishes between a few towns.

It didn’t compare at all to our great nation’s Spring and Autumn period, or the emperors like Qin Shi Huang and Han Wu Di.

Of course, that view carried some national bias.

But bias is the foundation of all histories.

……

The park wasn’t huge; besides the Keep Tower, it was mostly open space.

The Keep Tower had been destroyed multiple times in wars, and what they saw now was a modern reconstruction.

Inside, there weren’t many ancient relics—it felt more like a modern exhibit hall, with high-tech 3D displays.

The designs were beautiful, interactive, and aside from learning history or stories, it had an artistic appeal.

Hand in hand, they wandered casually, not diving too deep—just enjoying a relaxed tour.

When they reached the eighth-floor observation deck, they could overlook the entire Osaka Castle.

Originally, the Keep Tower was a military fortress, designed for scouting and commanding.

That observation deck once watched for invaders; now, it was just a peaceful spot for views, a stark contrast across time.

Xie Bingran leaned on the railing, gazing at the distant streets.

A gentle breeze stirred her short hair.

Xu Chen turned to her and saw her clear, bright eyes reflecting the city’s vibrant lights.

Xie Bingran said softly:

“Xu Chen… every time I’m with you, it feels so unreal, like I’m dreaming!”

Xu Chen didn’t say anything; he just wrapped his arm around her waist.

She leaned closer, resting her head on his shoulder.

……

……

They strolled out of Osaka Castle Park and Xu Chen hailed another cab.

He pulled out his map and pointed to a spot for the driver.

The elderly driver nodded firmly, released the handbrake, and eased onto the gas, heading toward Dotonbori.

……

Dotonbori was the most bustling and iconic commercial street in Osaka.

Along a narrow canal, neon shops lined both sides, a feast for the eyes.

Standing in the noisy street, Xu Chen pointed to a huge sign across the way.

“That goofy figure is actually a landmark for Osaka.”

Xie Bingran frowned, looking just as puzzled.

It was a massive ad for Glico, showing a runner crossing the finish line with arms raised.

Xu Chen had no idea why such a sign had become a famous landmark.

Shinsaibashi was just a six-hundred-meter illuminated walkway, yet it was one of Osaka’s busiest and most famous stretches.

Xu Chen led Xie Bingran around aimlessly, with no real plan.

Xie Bingran thought for a moment and said, “I need to buy something for your dad!”

Xu Chen smiled. “Want me to handle that for you?”

Xie Bingran: “No, I want to do it myself!”

She added, “I also need to get a few packs of cigarettes to send to Li Rui and the others.”

Xu Chen considered it and said:

“I suggest you buy them at Kansai Airport’s duty-free shop—it’s more convenient.”

Xie Bingran: “What about the gift for your dad?”

Xu Chen: “Get that there too.”

He thought more. “My dad just likes a good drink, so trust me—pick up a nice bottle of sake at the duty-free shop when you leave.”

Xie Bingran pondered, still hesitating.

Xu Chen grinned. “I’m getting gifts for Fang Jun and Sister Wu Yue there too. Buying now would just be a hassle to carry.”

This came from his past experiences traveling abroad—most shopping needs could be met at duty-free shops.

He glanced down at their linked hands:

“If we buy stuff now, I won’t have a hand free to hold yours!”

Xie Bingran looked at their joined hands, and that seemed like a solid reason.

……

They stopped at a dessert shop to get matcha ice cream and spotted two familiar faces inside.

It was Nie Fei and Wu Feifei.

Wu Feifei laughed. “Fancy running into you two!”

Seeing Nie Fei, Xu Chen thought there might be a chance to handle some Ran Bing Sports business.