Chapter 313: Riverside Whispers

The Diapu River is a tributary of the Huangpu River.

Along both banks, fresh rubber paths stretched out, but at night, few runners or exercisers crossed our path.

Instead, we spotted a couple of middle-aged men out walking their dogs.

Xu Chen held Xie Bingran’s hand as they strolled slowly along the riverbank.

They didn’t have a specific destination in mind.

Seven Treasures Town, on the outskirts of Shanghai, lacked the tall buildings and bustling traffic found in busier places.

At night, the small river felt peaceful and profound.

A fresh mist of water vapor drifted into their noses, reminding Xu Chen of Xie Bingran’s birthplace—the northern village called South River Village.

Xie Bingran held Xu Chen’s hand, occasionally glancing back at the boy beside her, blinking her big eyes as if lost in thought.

Xu Chen suddenly remembered the Jeep ad shoot and spoke up:

“If we go film the car commercial by late October, we’ll have to head out of town.”

Xie Bingran: “Where exactly?”

Xu Chen: “The western deserts or the Tibetan highlands.”

To capture scenes of the Grand Cherokee and Wrangler in action, they’d need to tackle deserts, climb dunes, and scale highlands.

Based on the initial plan, entrepreneur Wang Shi would pair with the Grand Cherokee model, while Xie Bingran would match the Wrangler…

So, Xie Bingran’s parts would definitely include rugged off-road scenes.

Xu Chen said with a smile:

“Hitting the northwest to drive through sand dunes will be a blast!”

Xie Bingran:

“But I don’t know how to drive.”

Xu Chen: “Don’t worry about the filming—there’ll be stunt drivers on hand.”

“You just need to pretend to drive. Once they edit the footage, the audience won’t notice a thing.”

He chuckled:

“During breaks, I’ll take the wheel and drive us through the sand and across the deserts.”

Bing Ge thought for a moment, then finally flashed an eager smile:

“Sounds good!”

Xu Chen pondered a bit before adding:

“That reminds me—you can’t go to the Tibetan highlands. I need to talk to the director’s team about it upfront.”

Xie Bingran paused: “Why not?”

Xu Chen: “The high altitudes cause oxygen shortage and altitude sickness.”

“And as athletes, you have larger lung capacity and burn more oxygen, so it hits you harder…”

“We won’t have time to acclimate—it’s shoot and go—so you’d definitely get sick.”

“I don’t want that messing up your training or upcoming competitions.”

Xie Bingran: “I’ve heard of altitude sickness, but I didn’t know it affects athletes more.”

Xu Chen thought for a second, then pulled out his mobile phone and sent a message to Jeep’s brand manager, Yan Chuan.

This was important, and he didn’t want to forget it in a couple of days, so he messaged Yan Chuan first.

Even though it was the weekend, Yan Chuan replied to Xu Chen quickly:

[Message received. I’ll sync this with Vincent first thing Monday morning and have him tell the director’s team…]

Xu Chen replied:

[The western frontiers have all the off-road terrain we need, so it should cover the shoot requirements.

No need to push for the highlands—Xie Bingran has competitions coming up and can’t risk altitude sickness.

I figure the National Team will bring this up too.

Please make sure Vincent and the director’s team sort this out in advance…”

If they really want highland shots, suggest using spokesperson Wang Shi instead.

He’s got Everest climbing experience, so it fits better.]

[Got it, Teacher Xu Chen. I’ll pass the message along properly.] Yan Chuan replied.

Xu Chen put his phone away and reminded Xie Bingran:

“Tell Coach Cheng Hong about this too, so she can align with the Brand Owner on the needs and ensure your safety.”

“Okay.”

……

They wandered back to the main gate of the Training Base.

“Wait here for me a minute—I’ll check in and slip out again,” Xie Bingran whispered.

Xu Chen pinched her cheek: “Go on, silly girl.”

Xie Bingran smiled, shoved her hands in her pockets, and jogged toward the gatehouse.

Once she was out of sight, Xu Chen headed to the nearby convenience store and grabbed a can of soda water.

By mid-October, a chill had crept into the night air.

Xu Chen sat on the edge of a flower bed, pulling his jacket a bit tighter.

Soon, Xie Bingran sneaked out from a side door, ducking low as if avoiding the security guard’s eyes.

Luckily, the security guard was absorbed in his radio and not paying much attention.

Under the dim, yellowish night lights, Bing Ge moved with agile grace, like a nocturnal creature.

She crouched around the corner before hurrying over.

Reaching Xu Chen, she pulled her hands from her pockets, revealing two yellow apples they’d bought earlier that afternoon.

She looked up at him with a proud, playful smile.

Xu Chen grinned and pulled her into his arms.

……

Fifteen minutes later, back in the hotel room.

They’d both freshened up and dried each other’s hair.

This time, Xie Bingran held the hair dryer, starting with Xu Chen.

Xu Chen sat on the edge of the bathtub, letting her do as she pleased.

She gripped the dryer with one hand and combed his hair with the other, though she wasn’t very skilled at it.

Carefully and gently, she worked, afraid of tugging his hair or burning his scalp.

Xu Chen sat still, eyes half-closed, looking thoroughly relaxed…

When it was his turn to dry her hair, from the side, he noticed her jawline and collarbone seemed even more defined and attractive.

“Have you lost more body fat?” Xu Chen asked.

Xie Bingran lifted her robe slightly and flexed, revealing well-defined abs:

“This week’s training has been intense…”

Xu Chen sighed with mock envy: “I really envy your great physique, Bing Ge.”

He set the dryer down and couldn’t resist hugging her from behind.

Xu Chen breathed in the pleasant scent from Xie Bingran’s neck, his face full of longing.

As a short-track athlete, Bing Ge underwent plenty of strength training to handle the explosive demands of her sport.

She wasn’t just lean like a long-distance runner—she looked slim in clothes but had curves underneath.

With her low body fat, her abs stood out clearly.

Yet her arms and long legs had that healthy, toned muscle that felt amazing…

Hugging her from behind, Xu Chen found himself wanting to hold on forever.

In the mirror, Xie Bingran nestled in his arms, her cheeks flushed from the hot shower, her lips soft and inviting.

Xu Chen gave in to the moment and planted a gentle kiss on her cheek.

Xie Bingran tensed a little but didn’t pull away, though she shot him a feigned annoyed glance through the mirror.

……

They sat side by side on the bed.

Xie Bingran picked up a freshly washed yellow apple.

She gripped it with both hands, twisted lightly, and with a crisp snap, split it in two.

Xu Chen chuckled in surprise—he couldn’t even do that.

He took his half and crunched into it.

After a couple of bites, Xie Bingran said:

“The one you gave me as a kid was grainy, not this crunchy.”

Xu Chen thought: “This one’s probably not ripe yet.

Or maybe it’s a different variety—I think it was called ‘Golden Crown’ or ‘Golden Chief’…”

“I’ll ask my dad—he can definitely get some!”

Xie Bingran was about to say not to bother, but seeing Xu Chen’s serious expression, she just smiled.

“After your training, your legs and feet must get really sore, right?”

Xie Bingran squeezed her thigh: “It’s periodic—happens when the workload spikes, but once your body adjusts, it fades.”

Xu Chen grinned mischievously: “So, you’re probably still a bit sore now?”

Xie Bingran: “Huh?”

Xu Chen: “I could give you a massage.”

Xie Bingran wrapped her robe tighter, suddenly on guard.

……

The lights went out, but the bathroom light stayed on, casting a soft glow.

They lay face-to-face, hands intertwined.

In the dimness, Xie Bingran blinked her big eyes, gazing at Xu Chen’s face.

Xu Chen stared back, seeing the clear sparkle in her eyes.

Xie Bingran whispered suddenly: “Don’t move…”

Xu Chen froze, unsure what she meant.

Then she leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips.

Before he could savor it, she pulled back.

She bit her lip lightly, her face hidden in the shadows.

Xu Chen felt a surge of emotion: “I want more…”

Xie Bingran said firmly: “Time to sleep!”

Xu Chen: “…”

Xie Bingran ignored his plea but snuggled closer, tucking herself into his arms.

Xu Chen sighed, burying his nose in her hair and inhaling deeply.

……

The next morning, before dawn, Xie Bingran was up.

Xu Chen heard the movement and got up too.

Her little break was just yesterday afternoon—today, training resumed.

After a quick freshen-up, it was time to part ways again.

“I’ll walk you over,” Xu Chen said, taking her hand.

Her hand felt cool, perhaps from the wash.

Xie Bingran looked up at him, blinking her big eyes with a hint of tears.

Xu Chen pinched her cheek and smiled: “Late October we’ll be shooting that material, and I’ll be there for both projects.”

“Mhm…”

Xie Bingran stared at him for a moment, then whispered:

“Don’t move…”

She leaned in, her soft lips meeting his in a gentle kiss.

Xu Chen stayed still, eyes closing slightly.

As their lips parted, their breaths came heavier.

Xu Chen lingered, brushing his nose against hers.

She didn’t pull away, her eyes holding a warm intensity as she kissed him again…

Their lips warm and tender, filled with affection.

She closed her eyes, but tears slipped out, and she buried herself in his arms, hugging him tight.

“I really don’t want to leave you.”

She murmured softly…

Xu Chen held her close, stroking her head gently, like comforting a hurt puppy.

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