Chapter 312: A Shopping Outing

After strolling around the ancient town, Xu Chen led Xie Bingran out.

In 2006, Qibao Town had that familiar small-town charm, especially in these residential areas, which felt worlds away from the bustling Shanghai center.

Xu Chen pulled out his phone, searched quickly, and found an old mall just across the street. He took Xie Bingran’s hand and wandered that way.

With her hand in his, Xie Bingran became incredibly compliant, as if she wouldn’t mind being dragged off and ‘sold’ without a fuss.

The mall was modest, giving off that classic state-run store vibe.

Xie Bingran assumed Xu Chen was looking for food or something to buy, so she followed along quietly.

It wasn’t until he pulled her into a store selling winter clothes that she realized he was shopping for her.

Xie Bingran blinked her big eyes and said:

“I don’t need more clothes. The team gives us down jackets for training.”

Xu Chen replied, “The team stuff is all athletic wear. I’ll get you a few other winter pieces.”

“Besides, you’ll need sweaters…”

Xu Chen remembered how Bing Ge, back in middle and high school, barely had any thick clothes for winter.

Even in high school, during those freezing minus-ten-degree northern winters, she just wandered around in that oversized black jacket…

Seeing Xie Bingran’s reluctance, Xu Chen smiled and said:

“Don’t think this is the south—Shanghai’s winters are colder than the north’s.”

Xie Bingran asked, “Why?”

Xu Chen explained, “The north is just about low temperatures—pure physical chill. The sun still warms you up.”

“But here, it’s a cold that seeps in, wet and piercing, like chemical warfare that cuts through cotton clothes…”

“And there’s no heating, so you have to tough it out with winter gear.”

“Oh.”

……

Xu Chen guided Xie Bingran through the women’s section on the second floor, trying on a few outfits.

Amid all the bright, frilly dresses, Xie Bingran looked completely out of place, her cool demeanor clashing hard.

Xu Chen noticed how her tough style didn’t match the soft, delicate clothes around her at all.

In the end, they picked two padded jackets—one pure black and one deep gray—both with a very neutral design.

Both were cashmere sweaters, and Xu Chen knew quality when he saw it; they looked lightweight but were incredibly warm.

When the clerk wrapped them up, Xie Bingran spotted the price tags.

She frowned, clearly uneasy.

“I’ll pay for it myself…”

Xie Bingran murmured.

Xu Chen casually handed his bank card to the clerk.

Xie Bingran leaned in and whispered, “How can it be so expensive? Over a thousand yuan each!”

Xu Chen patted her head:

“These are cashmere—they’ll keep you really warm.”

“Just remember not to wash them in water or throw them in the machine…”

Xie Bingran bit her lip, looking stressed.

The clerk finished packing the clothes and handed them over.

The two walked out hand in hand, continuing on.

Xie Bingran glanced at the clothes in her hands, lost in thought.

Xu Chen could guess what was bothering her.

Used to a frugal life, Xie Bingran had never worn anything this pricey before, and splurging like this was weighing on her.

He took her hand and said:

“You’re a little rich girl now. Even if I didn’t buy these, you could afford anything in this mall!”

Xie Bingran blinked her wide eyes.

After calculating her recent bonuses and the new ad contract, she seemed to lighten up and smiled, saying:

“I guess I can afford it…”

She thought for a moment more:

“Do you want to buy some clothes? I’ll get them for you!”

Bing Ge said it with total seriousness and generosity, ready to spend big.

Xu Chen chuckled and pinched her cheek:

“Today’s about me buying for you. Keep your money safe!”

Xie Bingran replied, “Next time you buy clothes, let me know—I’ll pay.”

Xu Chen said, “Sure!”

……

Xu Chen took Xie Bingran to a few more stores.

The girly, pastel shops just didn’t suit Bing Ge at all.

So he led her to ones with more neutral or even men’s styles.

They ended up with a thick jacket and a long down coat.

Both had that edgy, neutral look, and Bing Ge seemed to like them.

Carrying their bags, Xie Bingran glanced down, probably tallying the cost, and felt a bit uneasy again.

But she quickly shook it off and smiled happily at Xu Chen.

They wandered downstairs.

Passing another women’s store with light summer dresses,

Xu Chen glanced at Xie Bingran and wondered what she’d look like in a skirt and heels.

With her long legs, he wasn’t sure if they’d have the right size.

……

On the first floor, just as they were about to leave, Xu Chen spotted the basement supermarket sign and pulled Xie Bingran down.

Xie Bingran went along without a word, as always.

In the supermarket, Xu Chen dragged her straight to the fruit section.

After circling around, he picked up a yellow apple and grinned, “Found it!”

Xie Bingran smiled, realizing he brought her here for yellow apples.

Xu Chen sniffed a couple and said,

“These seem different from the ones at home.”

Xie Bingran replied, “Doesn’t matter, these are fine.”

Xu Chen laughed, “I’ll get you some now, and later I’ll have my dad send a few boxes over.”

Xie Bingran hesitated, “Don’t bother Uncle Xu—I just mentioned it casually at lunch.”

Xu Chen said, “I want some too! Might as well stock up.”

……

Xu Chen selected about ten apples, making a hefty bag.

As they moved through the aisles, Xu Chen asked,

“Anything else you need? I’ll get it for you.”

Xie Bingran said, “I really don’t need anything.”

……

……

They left the mall and took a cab back to the training base.

The guard uncle seemed to know Bing Ge well and smiled as he let them through.

Carrying their bags, they headed to the athletes’ apartment.

At the door, Xie Bingran checked the time:

“Come up with me— we’ve got about ten minutes left.”

Visitors could enter the girls’ dorm before 6 p.m.

And they had just enough time.

Xu Chen smiled and followed, bags in hand.

The dorm supervisor aunt spotted Xie Bingran and gave her a friendly nod.

……

At the room, Xie Bingran knocked first.

No answer—Bai Miao and her parents weren’t there.

She unlocked the door and led Xu Chen inside.

They saw Bai Miao’s side, all pink and cute with piles of plush toys.

In contrast, Bing Ge’s area was pure cool and minimal.

The only odd thing was that big Labrador plush on her bed.

Xie Bingran set down her bags and took the ones from Xu Chen:

“Have a seat.”

She pulled out a chair for him and carefully folded or hung the new clothes in her wardrobe.

Xu Chen glanced at her desk—spotless as always.

A red notebook sat there, emblazoned with ‘Shanghai Track and Field Sports Center,’ matching the base’s sign.

What stood out were a couple of photo frames on the shelf.

Xu Chen got up for a closer look—they were shots of Xie Bingran with her teammates and coach after wins.

One from the Provincial Team days, including Chen Ming, Tian Fangfang, and Tian Chaorui.

Another from the Yangcheng National Games, and one from last month in Osaka…

Beside the frames were two hardbound notebooks.

Xu Chen recalled these were gifts from Principal Huang Hua.

He picked one up—it read ‘1982 New Delhi.’

This was a keepsake from the 1982 Asian Games, truly precious, showing how much Huang Hua valued her.

Flipping through, Xu Chen found a few tucked-in photos and chuckled.

One was at Tiancheng No. 1 High School’s gate with Xie Bingran, Li Rui, Zhao Feng, and Fang Tao.

That was when she handled her graduation—Xu Chen himself had taken the shot.

Another was a photo of him and Xie Bingran, snapped by Wu Feifei on White Cloud Mountain after the National Games.

And one made him laugh out loud—it was from the Chenfeng Ice Power shoot in the Provincial Capital, taken by Tan Changqiao.

In it, Xu Chen grinned while holding Xie Bingran’s waist, and she looked flustered, tumbling into his arms.

Who knew Bing Ge would print that one and keep it in her notebook…

Xie Bingran caught him peeking and snatched it back, annoyed.

She shut the book and shoved it back on the shelf.

Xu Chen laughed and pulled her into a hug.

Bing Ge acted tough and athletic around others…

But in his arms, she felt soft and comforting.

Solid, easy to hold, just right.

He loved it.

……

……

They grabbed dinner at the training base cafeteria.

Bing Ge didn’t risk eating out, so the cafeteria was safer.

The food there wasn’t as good as at Tonghai University, but it was still solid.

The ingredients were reliable, and eating here only helped their bodies.

Xu Chen loaded up his plate with fish and meat.

They ate quietly, but a few teammates and students stopped by to greet Xie Bingran.

They just nodded respectfully, calling her ‘Bing Ge,’ then moved on.

Xie Bingran gave her usual cool nod.

This base belonged to the Shanghai Track and Field Sports Center, so it housed national and local athletes.

As the National Games champion and top female sprinter, Bing Ge commanded major respect.

Every time someone called her that, Xu Chen felt a surge of pride.

While eating, Xu Chen remembered the end-of-month Kunlunshan Mineral Water shoot and mentioned it:

“Coach Cheng Hong told you about the shoot, right?”

Xie Bingran said, “Yeah…”

“We’re locking in for November, so all events are wrapped up in October.”

Xu Chen added, “I’ve got two tasks: the Kunlunshan photo shoot and a Jeep ad video.”

Xie Bingran thought for a second:

“She only mentioned Kunlunshan—around the 30th, I think.”

“The ad video’s probably around then too…”

“Coach Cheng said they’d group all the outside stuff.”

That matched what Xu Chen expected.

So, the Jeep ad prep was going to be tight.

The mineral water posters were straightforward—just set up a studio.

But the video ad was like a mini film production, with tons of prep.

Aimi must be swamped for the next two weeks.

Xu Chen grinned and said,

“Haven’t thanked you yet.”

Xie Bingran, cheeks full of food, mumbled, “For what?”

Xu Chen explained, “The Jeep project—you pushed for East Morning Star Advertising, so I got another gig this year.”

Xie Bingran smiled, looking pleased.

Xu Chen went on, “With these endorsement deals, you’re set as a little rich girl.”

He added curiously, “How much are you actually getting?”

Xie Bingran pondered, “I’m not sure…”

“The bureau and team take a big cut, but Coach Cheng said it’s a lot.”

Xu Chen laughed, “Congrats, Bing Ge!”

Xie Bingran said, “But I won’t spend it all.”

Xu Chen replied, “Can’t spend it? Just save it for retirement!”

Xie Bingran offered, “Do you need money? I can give you some!”

“…”

He sighed, “Silly girl, don’t just hand money to guys. You might get scammed.”

Xie Bingran chewed thoughtfully, “You wouldn’t trick me.”

Xu Chen warned, “Keep your money safe.”

“Don’t fall for any ‘investing’ schemes—just save it!”

“If you want to manage it, ask me first.”

Xie Bingran nodded, “Oh.”

She blinked and said,

“Didn’t you mention wanting a car?”

“Want me to buy one for you?”

Xu Chen shook his head, “No, keep your money.”

“When have I ever been short on cash?”

Xie Bingran insisted, “If you need it, just tell me—it’s yours anyway.”

“Silly girl…”

Xu Chen felt a warm tug in his chest.

He was grateful for a girl like her—open-hearted and trusting.

In his past life, up to his thirties, he’d seen how rare true sincerity was; even long-term couples often hid ulterior motives.

Love in this world was never pure, tainted by selfishness and worldly grabs…

But Xie Bingran’s feelings for him were crystal clear, without a hint of guard.

If he had bad intentions, she’d probably leap into fire for him.

Xu Chen focused on his meal, gazing at the straightforward, pretty Bing Ge, and felt deeply moved.

He wanted to pinch her cheek but held back in the public spot.

Instead, he slyly hooked her leg under the table with his.

Xie Bingran smiled and rested her leg on his.

“The Asian Games are in Doha!” she said casually.

Xu Chen grinned, “Great, I’ll get Yue Jie to sort my visa.”

Xie Bingran ducked her head with a smile, “Mm…”

For October and November, Xie Bingran had no races, just intense prep for the December Doha Asian Games.

They’d canceled her other events to focus on that.

After winning the national title and breaking records at the National Games, the Asian Games was her shot at true Asian glory.

Nailing it could propel her career further.

From a business angle, the Asian Games was huge for her value.

Deals like Kunlunshan and Jeep bet on her going international.

A win there would skyrocket her worth; a loss might cap it.

She’d already hit top Asian levels in Yangcheng and Osaka.

As long as she stayed steady, a medal was almost guaranteed.

In China, veterans like Chen Lan and Feng Youping had fallen behind her.

Feng Youping might skip this one due to age, while Chen Lan was still a threat.

From Japan, rivals like Akabane Kaoru and Tadashi Taguchi were in the same league, despite losses to Xie Bingran.

Emerging stars from Korea and India added uncertainty, ones she hadn’t faced yet…

For Bing Ge, a medal was likely, but gold had variables.

In his previous life, Xie Bingran debuted later and won Asian gold in 2010’s Yangcheng Games.

This year’s Doha event was new to Xu Chen, so he wasn’t sure of her full potential.