Chapter 373: Anticipation in the Gulf

Maybe it was the jet lag; Xu Chen woke up around six and couldn’t fall back asleep.

Of course, it could also be the upcoming match of Xie Bingran; he felt a bit nervous for the ‘little rich lady’.

Doha was at least ten degrees hotter than Shanghai, so a thin long-sleeve shirt was all he needed to head out.

After slowly freshening up, Xu Chen headed alone to the hotel’s buffet restaurant.

As soon as he walked in, he saw Nie Fei, Fang Jun, Wu Feifei, and Su Rong already there.

“You all got up way too early,” Xu Chen said with a smile.

Wu Feifei was sipping a cup of milk tea:

“This morning, Fei Jie took us for a walk around. Everything near the hotel is so beautiful!”

Xu Chen grabbed some food and joined them at the window table.

More guests trickled into the restaurant, and he noticed about a dozen who looked like ethnic Chinese.

From their accents, he confirmed they were from the mainland.

After catching a few more snippets of their conversation, Xu Chen and his group shared knowing smiles.

“We forgot the flag and banner!”

“No rush, we’ll grab them after breakfast…”

“Should we come up with a cheer for Xie Bingran?”

“Honey, honey, charge ahead?”…

They were a group of domestic fans here to watch Xie Bingran’s competition.

In the company group chat, Sun Lingfeng shared a link.

[Ran Bing 001 Teaser Site is officially live…]

Xu Chen clicked it open, nodded with a smile.

Too bad this era wasn’t fully into smartphones yet; the teaser site lacked good mobile optimization, so the cool animations didn’t show up on phone screens.

Nie Fei, sitting across from Xu Chen, spoke up:

“Right now, there’s no traffic coming in.

Once today’s competition ends and the buzz builds, Jiang Yuze’s team will kick off some promo activities.

We’ll get traffic from Tianya, Mop, and major portals.

Sun Lingfeng can pull some strings for Taobao recommendations…

But that resource is precious, so I told him to hold off for now.”

She looked up at Xu Chen:

“Of course, if we had some PR-worthy material, that would be even better.”

Xu Chen paused, then quickly caught Fei Jie’s drift.

The first prototype of Ran Bing 001 was already here.

If Xie Bingran could pose in it for a few shots, it would make for great buzz.

Of course, they couldn’t make it too obvious…

Xu Chen smiled at Nie Fei:

“Good point, Fei Jie!”

He thought for a moment, then turned to Wu Feifei:

“Did you bring that Fujifilm camera?”

Wu Feifei rummaged in her bag and pulled out the compact Fujifilm camera.

Xu Chen grinned: “Let me borrow it this afternoon to snap a couple of photos.”

Wu Feifei didn’t quite get it but smiled and said, “Sure!”

Xu Chen pondered a bit more:

“Maybe we won’t even need to take them ourselves.”

The sun shone brightly, a perfect day.

The oasis city by the Persian Gulf was incredibly livable.

Al Khalifa International Stadium was the main venue for this Asian Games.

Both the opening and closing ceremonies were held here.

The Asian Games torch burned fiercely inside the stadium.

The area around the stadium had fewer tall buildings, making it stand out even more.

Xu Chen drove the black Range Rover, carrying the four girls, and parked in the outer lot of the stadium.

For safety and crowd control, there were traffic restrictions.

So they had to get out and walk to the stadium.

As they headed along, the event atmosphere hit them full force.

Broadcast vans from various countries, reporters, crowds rushing to the venue, and vendors selling event merchandise and cheer gear…

Not to mention the flags of different Asian nations surrounding the stadium.

Wu Feifei and Su Rong, still young, couldn’t hide their excitement and chattered away.

The people around them fell into roughly three groups.

Arabs in white robes or other traditional outfits.

Those who looked like high-caste South Asians from India or Pakistan.

And East Asians with yellow skin and black hair.

Blond Europeans were nowhere to be seen.

Near the main entrance of the stadium, Xu Chen checked a message on his phone and said:

“Wait here for me a minute; I’m going to pick up the tickets!”

Following Coach Cheng Hong’s message, Xu Chen found a side enclosed entrance.

Assistant Coach Liu Shengnan, whom he’d met twice before, was waiting there.

Xu Chen bowed slightly and politely greeted ‘Coach Liu’.

Liu Shengnan smiled and handed the five purple tickets through the barrier.

“Thanks so much, Coach Liu!”

Liu Shengnan added:

“These tickets aren’t all-day passes; they’re only good until noon…”

Xu Chen: “Got it!

We’re just here for Bing Ge’s match!”

The tickets were for the VIP stands, arranged by Director Li Yue.

Apparently, other VIPs would be there in the afternoon, so these only worked until noon.

Liu Shengnan nodded with a smile:

“Once Bing Ge’s match ends, just contact Coach Cheng.”

Xu Chen: “Okay. Is Director Li here today?

I need to thank him for the tickets.”

Liu Shengnan: “Director Li is here from the 3rd to the 6th.

But the General Bureau had some issues, so he headed back early.”

Xu Chen: “Alright, I’ll thank him later. Thanks again, Coach Liu!”

Xu Chen checked the time; it was still early, so no rush to enter.

Back at the main entrance, he saw a crowd—it was Tonghai University’s ‘Bai Miao cheer squad’.

Captain Zhang Yuchen was organizing banners and props for Bai Miao.

Nie Fei and the others stood nearby.

Xu Chen walked over with a smile and saw the cheer squad was well-prepared.

Besides the big banners, there were small handheld flags, balloon sticks.

Even headbands to wear…

All custom-designed, featuring ‘Bai Miao’s name and a cute cartoon image of her.

Nie Fei smoked nearby, chatting with Teacher Fang Jun.

Su Rong and Wu Feifei had joined the cheer squad, looking curious.

When Wu Feifei spotted Xu Chen, she said:

“You guys from the creative school really go all out with your materials.”

Xu Chen leaned in and whispered:

“The stands are too far; these little things won’t even show…

Only that big banner will make a difference.”

Wu Feifei pouted:

“But we didn’t prepare anything…”

Xu Chen chuckled and patted his backpack.

Wu Feifei looked surprised, then playfully annoyed:

“You went and prepared everything yourself again!”

Coach Ge Feng returned, handing out a stack of tickets to everyone.

Qian Xin, Huang Hao, and a few other guys had just finished sorting the materials and were taking a break.

Qian Xin noticed Xu Chen’s group and walked over with a grin.

He slung an arm around Xu Chen’s shoulder:

“How’s the five-star hotel treating you?”

Xu Chen: “Amazing! Open the window and there’s the Persian Gulf right there!”

“Jiangsu-Zhejiang little prince” Qian Xin rolled his eyes: “Forget I asked.”

Qian Xin had paid for his own flight and hotel, but the Asian Games tickets were arranged for the cheer squad.

He waved his blue ticket: “Which stands are you in? Same as us?”

Xu Chen pulled out the tickets from his pocket and glanced at them…

But he kept quiet, playing it cool.

The tickets simply said ‘SVIP Section 6…’

Qian Xin stared at the purple tickets in Xu Chen’s hand, surprised, then utterly speechless.

Huang Hao had come over too:

“We’re in C Section 28…

Is that close?”

Qian Xin said:

“Close? Not even!

Look at his tickets—they’re purple!

Purple means the premium VIP stands!”

Qian Xin, having researched tickets himself since he paid his way, knew exactly what that meant.

Huang Hao: “Oh…”

Qian Xin smacked his lips and looked at Xu Chen, shaking his head:

“Tickets costing over twenty thousand each!

Boss Xu, just how loaded are you?”

Huang Hao took a sharp breath.

He quickly calculated—five tickets for five people, that’s over a hundred thousand!

Not to mention business class and the hotel…

As a local from Shanghai with working-class parents, Huang Hao had never seen money spent like this.

He was truly stunned.

Qian Xin, the ‘Jiangsu-Zhejiang little prince,’ was even more exasperated and helpless as he leaned in and whispered to Xu Chen:

“Did I talk too loud when I was chatting with you before?”

“…”

Xu Chen looked innocent:

“These are from a partner—

I didn’t pay for them.”

Qian Xin: “Do you think I believe that?”

The other members of the cheer squad overheard and started wondering about ‘that guy’.

Chen Qiong and He Sisi, from Xu Chen’s class, explained he was a freshman in the advertising department.

“Your class has a rich kid like that?”

“Isn’t he with Su Rong? Probably needs to be in the same league.”

“Don’t spread rumors! Lots of guys in our class are after Su Rong!”

In the midst of the chatter, someone recalled the name ‘Xu Chen’.

“Xu Chen…

Wasn’t he one of the national first-prize winners in the University Advertising Competition?”

Chen Qiong: “That’s him.”

“Wow, that’s surprising!”

“So he’s not just rich…”

“Does he have a girlfriend? Would he mind an older sister?”

“Don’t even think about it. Look at the two girls with him…”

While lining up for security, Qian Xin and Huang Hao felt another sting of envy.

They were stuck in the crowded queue, while Xu Chen and his four pretty companions breezed through the VIP lane.

The SVIP purple tickets in Xu Chen’s hand were truly exclusive.

Everything went smoothly.

After security, a young man and woman, both attractive staff members, personally guided Xu Chen’s group to the stands.

They took a dedicated path, bypassing the crowds, straight to the VIP section.

Wu Feifei and Su Rong let out excited gasps as they entered.

Even Xu Chen was impressed.

This was Middle Eastern hospitality at its finest for VIPs.

The seats were right in the center of the stadium with perfect views.

Curtains on both sides separated them from other spectators for privacy.

The pure white leather sofas were plush, and behind them sat a long table loaded with fresh fruit cuts, candied nuts.

An ice bucket even chilled a bottle of white wine…

Xu Chen was amazed, considering Qatar’s general alcohol restrictions.

Visitors could drink, but only at licensed spots—this showed the VIP treatment’s weight.

On the small tables in front of the sofas, binoculars waited for the events.

Xu Chen picked up a small fork, popped a piece of watermelon in his mouth—it was incredibly sweet.

The stadium buzzed with energy.

Xu Chen looked around; the massive venue was nearly full.

It was still early, with about forty minutes until the women’s 100-meter hurdles.

Currently, the women’s shot put final was underway.

A couple of athletes from China seemed to be competing.

Wu Feifei and Su Rong, buzzing with excitement, dragged Teacher Fang Jun to the sofa area.

A pretty Arab attendant stepped in and chatted with Nie Fei in English.

She then used a remote to turn on a speaker at the front of the stands.

Han Qiaosheng’s voice from CCTV commentary filled the air.

Nie Fei explained:

“They do this for foreign viewers with language barriers, broadcasting the home feed.”

Another VIP perk.

The audio was covering the current event with Han Qiaosheng’s broadcast.

“Up next is Lin Jiaying from Chinese Taipei…

She’s one of the favorites for the women’s shot put medals…”

The women’s 100-meter hurdles final would have the same commentary.

Xu Chen slipped off his backpack and pulled out a big bundle.

Wu Feifei and the others crowded around excitedly.

It was several folded banners and a few small flags.

Unfolding the large banner, it featured elements from Ran Bing 001’s design.

A red-and-blue clash with Qingci Ice Crack Patterns and Dunhuang Flame Patterns.

Bold letters read:

“Born Unbeatable, Heaven-Sent Ice”.

Smaller banners said:

“Xie Bingran”.

“Ran Bing 001”.

Wu Feifei thought for a second:

“You’re sneaking in some promo for Ran Bing Sports, aren’t you?”

Xu Chen: “Got to ride the hype— the teaser site just went live today…”

About twenty minutes later.

The women’s shot put final awards were done.

China swept the gold, silver, and bronze.

Gold and silver went to Li Ling and Li Meijuhua from the State Athletics Team.

Bronze to Lin Jiaying from Chinese Taipei.

From the cheers in the stands, plenty of Chinese fans were here.

Over the speakers, Han Qiaosheng announced:

“Next up, one of the highlights of the 10th day…

The women’s 100-meter hurdles final!

Let’s quickly cut to a commercial break!”