Chapter 369: Echoes of the Arena
by xennovelThe General Manager’s Office.
Xu Chen and Nie Fei were deep in conversation when Wu Feifei’s voice suddenly echoed from the next meeting room:
“It’s starting!”
……
On this chilly evening, the Asian Games finally kicked off.
Xu Chen and Nie Fei headed back to the meeting room, grabbing two bottles of red wine along the way.
With a table full of snacks, the group of young people laughed and chatted with excitement.
Doha sat in Western Asia, a vibrant Arab city on the western shore of the Persian Gulf.
The opening ceremony brimmed with Arab flair.
Xu Chen watched for a while and found it surprisingly captivating.
Beyond the exotic Persian vibes, he caught a strong whiff of “opulence”.
Deserts, oases, and glittering golden cities…
Middle Eastern royals and princes lounged in the audience, with cameras cutting to them now and then.
As Xu Chen watched a segment of the foreign performance, he recalled the classic Ubisoft game ‘Prince of Persia’.
Who could have imagined that Ubisoft, once adored by millions worldwide, would later be swamped by “diversity” pushes and political correctness, nearly collapsing?
……
The segment featuring performances from various Asian countries came next; when the suona, lion dance, and Beijing opera elements appeared…
Everyone felt a mix of familiarity and odd displacement.
……
Hong Kong’s ‘God of Song’, Zhang Xueyou, took the stage and performed an English theme song.
In Xu Chen’s memories from his past life, it left no mark—clearly, this Asian Games theme had little impact.
……
“Here we go!” Wu Feifei exclaimed with excitement.
It turned out that after the singer’s performance, it was time for the delegations from each country and region to enter.
The group in the meeting room waited eagerly to spot Xie Bingran in the China delegation.
……
Several delegations marched in one after another, but China’s team hadn’t appeared yet.
“Are we saving the best for last?” Sun Lingfeng wondered aloud.
Jiang Yuze replied, “It should be any minute now!”
The entry order follows the alphabetical sequence.
“C will show up soon!”
……
Sure enough, the seventh team was China’s delegation.
The meeting room erupted in excited cheers.
“Quick, check if Bing Ge’s there!”
Leading with the national flag was the badminton star Bao Chunlai.
Known for his on-court prowess and striking looks, Bao had once amassed a huge fanbase.
He even briefly overshadowed ‘Super Dan’ as China’s top badminton force.
But ‘Super Dan’ and Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei proved too formidable, quickly eclipsing him.
After retiring, Bao tried his hand at entertainment, appearing in variety shows and films, but it all fizzled out, leaving him in obscurity.
……
The China team wore matching uniforms.
The male athletes sported navy blue suits that looked sharp and disciplined.
The female athletes followed in deep red outfits: suit jackets on top and knee-length skirts below.
……
When the camera panned to the female athletes, everyone in the meeting room stared intently.
Xu Chen felt a strange unease stir inside him.
Especially when he saw the female athletes’ uniforms.
Bing Ge had never worn a skirt before.
At least, not in Xu Chen’s memories from his past or current life—he’d never seen Xie Bingran in one.
Back in middle school as desk mates, she stuck to that worn navy blue uniform.
Later, as ‘Bing Ge’, it was all tough jeans and black jackets…
Wu Feifei suddenly yelped, “Look! There’s Bing Ge!”
……
Xu Chen stared at the big screen, stunned, and nearly burst out laughing.
Xie Bingran flashed across the shot, gone in an instant.
Though it lasted less than a second, her striking features and cool demeanor made her stand out.
“Just one quick shot!”
“Too bad we didn’t capture it!”
“Bing Ge looks just like a star—really stunning!”
……
The group chattered excitedly, but no one mentioned Xie Bingran’s skirt.
They weren’t that close to her, after all…
This might be her first time in a skirt, and Xu Chen found the thought amusing.
Hmm…
It suited her okay, though it felt a bit odd.
She probably felt awkward too—her steps and expression looked off.
He’d have to tease her about it when they met.
……
Xu Chen thought back and realized he’d spotted Bai Miao in the footage too.
She zipped by just as quickly, waving a small flag with more enthusiasm than Bing Ge.
……
With Bing Ge’s moment over, the group relaxed again.
They munched on snacks and chatted while waiting for the final torch lighting.
As delegations kept entering, Xu Chen noticed two familiar faces in Japan’s team.
It was Akabane Kaoru and Tadashi Taguchi, the ones Bing Ge had defeated at the East Asia Youth Games in Osaka.
For this Asian Games, Xu Chen had only skimmed a few preview articles about Bing Ge’s opponents—no deep dive.
The one that stuck was Chen Lan from the national team.
Rumor had it she’d posted times nearly matching Xie Bingran’s.
He could ask Huang Hao from the dorm next door about it sometime.
As Bai Miao’s biggest fanboy, Huang probably knew every detail about the women’s 100-meter hurdles competitors.
……
The torch lighting ceremony oozed Arab exoticism.
A real ‘Prince of Persia’ rode in on a black stallion, wielding a scimitar-like torch…
And this ‘Prince’ was actually Qatar’s current prince.
He galloped up the slanted platform on his steed, torch in hand—it was pure spectacle.
A massive star disc descended and ignited from the center…
For some reason, Xu Chen’s mind wandered to rituals of the ‘Sun Moon Holy Cult’.
Maybe because the ‘Sun Moon Holy Cult’ shared roots with the ‘Ming Cult’.
And historically, the ‘Ming Cult’ originated from Persia.
……
……
Sunday.
Xu Chen slept in late, grabbed a quick lunch at the cafeteria, then headed to the company since hanging around school felt dull.
Stepping into the office, he found Sun Lingfeng and Sun Aimi still working overtime.
“Why so hard at it? We don’t push for overtime here!”
Xu Chen said.
They stood up quickly, calling him “Boss” and “Young President Xu”.
Xu Chen smiled and checked their work; Sun Lingfeng was setting up the online store for Ran Bing Sports.
Sun Aimi was preparing the teaser site for Ran Bing 001, set to launch on the 10th.
Sun Lingfeng looked a bit uneasy:
“The deadline’s tight, so I’m rushing to get the store ready!”
Xu Chen felt a wave of appreciation; Sun Lingfeng, though quiet and unassuming, was a solid employee.
He moved to stand behind Sun Aimi:
“Teacher Aimi, hire some help for yourself soon!”
Sun Aimi adjusted her round glasses:
“Sure, Boss…
I’ve got resumes from a couple of juniors, and Fei Jie sent over two more yesterday.
I’ll do phone interviews next Monday and check their portfolios!”
Xu Chen chuckled and said no more.
He went to the rest area, washed some fruit, and cut two small fruit plates for Sun Lingfeng and Sun Aimi.
Sun Lingfeng was taken aback:
“Thanks, Young President Xu!”
Sun Aimi quickly added, “Thanks, Boss!”
Xu Chen grabbed two apples and retreated to his General Manager’s Office.
……
Xu Chen booted up his computer and checked his emails.
One unread message was from Wu Yue, with flight and hotel bookings for the Doha trip.
She’d already texted him the details, and this email had the full rundown.
Wu Yue showed her thoughtful side again, attaching guides for travel, transport, and dining in Doha.
Since it was a religious country, she highlighted some key taboos and customs.
The flight from Shanghai to Doha would take nearly eight hours—quite the haul.
But Wu Yue had booked business class for Xu Chen, Nie Fei, Wu Feifei, and Su Rong both ways.
They could lie back and sleep; Qatar Airways prided itself on top-notch service, so it wouldn’t be too bad.
Wu Feifei and Su Rong, being the heiresses they were, probably didn’t blink at the cost…
Shanghai and Doha had a five-hour time difference.
The itinerary had them leaving on the 9th at noon, landing around 3 p.m. local time.
They’d be on the same flight as Bai Miao’s school cheer group.
The school kept costs down, so folks like Huang Hao were stuck in economy.
As for ‘Jiangsu’s Little Prince’ Qian Xin, Xu Chen hadn’t pried…
The women’s 100-meter hurdles final was on the 10th morning local time.
Xu Chen would stay overnight and fly back the next day…
Xie Bingran, though, had to wait until the 15th, after the closing ceremony, to return with the team.
That meant just one day with her in Doha…
Still, Coach Cheng Hong mentioned she’d get a ten-day break after the Games, total freedom then.
Xu Chen was excited, already plotting ways to show the ‘little rich girl’ a good time.
Once back, Xie Bingran would report to the national team in Beijing and handle some events before her holiday.
…
Their Asian Games tickets came from Director Li Yue, not Coach Cheng Hong—VIP stands for key clients, pricey seats.
Xu Chen was glad to catch that perk from Director Li.
The VIP area would make things easier for Wu Feifei and Su Rong.
……
Xu Chen skimmed Wu Yue’s email again, made sure there was nothing out of place, then forwarded it to Nie Fei, Wu Feifei, and Su Rong.
Another unread email was from Gu Xuewei at Chenfeng Technology.
Xu Chen remembered him as a finance guy from Bright Factory, now under Fang Jun.
The email was about year-end financial audits for East Morning Star Co., including parts from East Morning Star Advertising and Ran Bing Sports that needed consolidation.
As Xu Chen frowned slightly, a new reply popped in from Fang Jun:
[Leave the East Morning Star Advertising and Ran Bing Sports bits for now… I’ll handle them when I visit the Shanghai office in late December.]
Gu Xuewei responded right away:
[Got it, leader!]
Xu Chen chuckled; Fang Jun was getting called ‘leader’ now.
Back at Bright Factory, she and Gu Xuewei were probably equals.
He never imagined the fired Fang Jun would end up as his boss.
Xu Chen sighed lightly, missing Fang Jun a bit—that expressionless, mysterious drinker with her odd charm.
At least they’d meet this month when she and Father Xu Zhiquan came over.
Xu Chen recalled Nie Fei mentioning how Fang Jun and Father played good cop-bad cop in business deals…
It sounded hilarious.
……
……
Monday.
On the 6th floor of Tonghai Creative Design Building, Fei Jie had secured the large office space.
Xu Chen stopped by at noon to check it out—it was spacious.
Nearly 3,000 square feet, combining the original offices 604, 605, and 606.
After discussing with Nie Fei, they decided to use the 606 signage.
605 and 606 were already connected, and with property approval, they could knock down the wall to 604.
Nie Fei led Xu Chen around:
“We’ll set up three meeting rooms here—one big, two small—for easier gatherings…”
“This section will be the water bar and lounge; we can eat lunch here too. Xin Xin wants to add a bookshelf…”
“We’ll partition an archive room for contracts and secure documents…”
Fei Jie pointed to a bright room:
“That’s your office, Young President Xu—the spot with the best energy!”
Xu Chen glanced around with a smile:
“What about your office, Fei Jie?”
Nie Fei took a drag from her slim cigarette:
“Right across from yours.”
She paused, then added:
“Need any extra private offices? Like for President Xu, Fang Jun, or Xie Bingran?”
Xu Chen laughed:
“No need. Fang Jun and I can share; her good wines can stay in mine. Dad and Xie Bingran won’t use one yet.”
Nie Fei nodded with a smile.
Xu Chen looked around, quite pleased.
Both East Morning Star Advertising and Ran Bing Sports were on solid footing, expanding steadily.
Nie Fei remembered something:
“Fang Jun has strong opinions on the decor. I had Xin Xin connect with her; the design will follow her suggestions.”
Xu Chen laughed heartily:
“Don’t mind it, Fei Jie—our Fang Jun has some quirky tastes.”
Nie Fei said:
“Fang Jun’s reliable; her style is spot-on. She even reviewed the Pearl Cat designs and gave great feedback on the office theme.”
She took another puff:
“The Ran Bing 001 designs should finalize tonight. Then Vice President Zhou can handle sampling.”
“We might have prototypes by Friday.”
Xu Chen: “Perfect timing—I’m flying to Doha on Saturday. I can show them to Bing Ge!”
Nie Fei: “Why not make a sample in Bing Ge’s size? What’s her shoe size?”
Xu Chen: “Size 40.”
Nie Fei nodded: “I’ll tell Zhou Junjun.”
Xu Chen felt a sudden awkwardness and added:
“Bing Ge’s 175 cm tall, so size 40 is normal…”
……
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