Chapter 376: Glory Under the Lights

Al Khalifa International Stadium, in the rest area inside.

Xu Chen sat on the row of chairs next to the athletes’ lounge, gazing toward the inner field.

A group of journalists from various countries clustered around, microphones in hand, surrounding a few people.

Among them, the most striking was Xie Bingran.

She had just stepped down from the podium, now wearing the red and white National Team uniform, standing with head coach Sun Mouping.

From afar, Xu Chen spotted CCTV host Han Qiaosheng and sports anchor Zhang Yu in the interview crowd, holding microphones and asking questions.

Like some past scenes, though reporters kept firing questions at the champion, most of the time it was head coach Sun Mouping answering on her behalf.

It seemed the team had an unspoken agreement—cool “Ice Bro” never liked to talk, no matter the setting.

This had nothing to do with arrogance or rudeness, or even eloquence or logic; it was just her innate personality.

Even around Xu Chen, she didn’t say much.

Most of the time, Xu Chen chattered away while Ice Bro occasionally smiled.

Xu Chen knew it was her natural trait and liked their dynamic that way.

After all, back in middle school as desk mates, she was the quiet, pitiful little girl.

Times had changed; she was no longer pitiful, but still quiet.

…

…

The interview over there seemed to wrap up, and a few formally dressed “VIPs” arrived, posing for photos with the gold, silver, and bronze winners.

Xie Bingran, who had broken the Asian Games record, was the hottest one for photos.

Under head coach Sun Mouping’s guidance, she shook hands with each of the VIPs.

She looked like she hadn’t fully adjusted to this “star” treatment, and Xu Chen could sense her discomfort.

In that moment.

Xie Bingran glanced over and spotted Xu Chen.

She paused, her body shifting slightly.

Instinctively, her toes pointed toward where Xu Chen was.

Xu Chen just stood up and smiled at her.

…

…

A few minutes later, Ice Bro finally finished her duties.

Surrounded by teammates and coaches, she headed his way.

Her steps were clearly eager.

Xu Chen had already stood up, unsure if he should go meet her.

Coach Cheng Hong suddenly approached and said to Xu Chen:

“You two take it easy—Ice Bro still has to pose for photos with the audience and fans…”

As she spoke, she went to meet the approaching Ice Bro and said:

“Hurry up, they’re all waiting for pictures with you!”

With that, she tried to lead Xie Bingran toward the side passage.

Xie Bingran hesitated but kept walking straight toward Xu Chen.

Xu Chen froze for a second, then quickly stepped forward to meet her.

Xie Bingran fished something from her pocket and slipped it into Xu Chen’s hand:

“Wait for me a bit.”

Xu Chen: “Okay.”

Coach Cheng Hong shook her head in resignation but quickly pulled Xie Bingran away.

Xu Chen looked down and saw a nut bar in his hand.

The kind she had shared with him many times before…

He tore open the wrapper with a rip.

Shoved the nut bar into his mouth and chomped down with a crunch.

…

Outside the passage, a wave of screams and cheers suddenly erupted.

Xu Chen munched on the nut bar and followed the sound out.

He saw a cheering squad of at least several dozen people waving colorful banners to welcome the champion.

This was Xie Bingran’s exclusive fan group, all students from Shanghai attending different schools.

It included her current school, Huahai Normal University, as well as Shanghai Sports University and Shanghai Second Sports School representatives…

Plus some standout young athletes from Shanghai’s high schools.

The group was organized by the Shanghai Sports Bureau and Shanghai Track and Field Sports Center.

Though Xie Bingran represented the Wen Province Team in domestic events, she was studying in Shanghai, so for international ones, the Shanghai Sports Bureau and center claimed some of the glory.

…

Xu Chen’s classmates Qian Xin, Huang Hao, Chen Qiong, and He Sisi were mixed in the crowd.

They got in thanks to Xu Chen’s connections and Coach Cheng Hong’s help.

The Ice Bro fans couldn’t contain their excitement, showering her with congratulations and admiration.

They snapped photos with her, then pulled out posters, notebooks, T-shirts, and other items for her to sign.

Xie Bingran played along, though her mind was likely on Xu Chen; she patiently posed and signed.

Qian Xin and Huang Hao finally spotted Xu Chen at the passage entrance and waved energetically.

It was both a greeting and a thank-you.

Xu Chen smiled and waved back…

After laughs and noise, they took a few big group photos.

With the two coaches escorting her, Xie Bingran headed back into the stadium.

The cheering squad reluctantly dispersed.

Qian Xin clutched a signed poster, beaming with pride.

He suddenly said:

“Boss Xu, how do you know the national team’s coaches?

Your connections are insane!”

Huang Hao: “At the start of the semester, Xu Chen got me an autograph from senior Bai Miao.

He said back then that he knew someone in common with her—must be a coach…”

Chen Qiong: “He even got into the inner field, like he had staff credentials?

This network is way too strong…

Does Xu Chen have some serious background?

This is the national team, after all…”

Huang Hao pondered briefly:

“And he scored tickets to the VIP stands for 20,000 each…”

Qian Xin shook his head:

“Boss Xu is unfathomable…”

…

…

Athletes’ lounge.

When Coach Cheng Hong brought Xie Bingran in, Xu Chen was already waiting.

Xie Bingran followed behind Cheng Hong, looking shy and well-behaved.

This expression was rare for the usually cool Ice Bro.

It only showed around Xu Chen.

Cheng Hong glanced at them and shook her head helplessly.

She turned to Xu Chen and said:

“She’s yours now, but don’t leave the stadium.

Get her back by 11:30 sharp, untouched…

She has to meet the king, queen, and prince!”

Xu Chen put on a serious, obedient face:

“I promise, Coach Cheng!”

Cheng Hong: “Keep your phones on—if there’s an emergency, I’ll call, and you better respond right away…

Otherwise, I won’t help you two again.”

Xu Chen: “Don’t worry, Coach, we’ll respond instantly!”

Cheng Hong flashed a sly grin, turned, and shut the door behind her.

…

…

Now alone in the small lounge.

Xie Bingran hesitated, her eyes darting away.

Xu Chen stayed quiet but opened his arms…

Xie Bingran bit her lip and smiled, then hurried over and threw herself into his embrace.

Xu Chen wrapped his arms around her tightly.

“Are you tired?”

“Not too bad…”

“Congrats, Ice Bro.”

“Am I amazing?”

“Incredibly amazing—now Asia’s top.”

“I missed you so much.”

…

She buried her face in Xu Chen’s neck and shoulder, breathing in deeply.

…

…

A few minutes later, the two emerged from the athletes’ lounge.

Xu Chen wanted to hold Xie Bingran’s hand but held back—after all, she was a real sports star now, always in the spotlight.

Xu Chen led Xie Bingran through the inner field’s passage and straight to the VIP stands’ entrance.

At the entry, a young Arab woman stood guard.

Before Xu Chen could pull out the purple ticket, the woman spotted Xie Bingran and almost squealed in delight.

She gushed in heavily accented English about her admiration for Xie Bingran.

Xie Bingran blinked her wide eyes, not quite following.

Xu Chen smiled and said:

“She wants a photo with you…”

Xie Bingran nodded slightly at the woman.

The woman excitedly fumbled for her phone.

Xu Chen took it and snapped several shots of them.

This worked out perfectly…

Ice Bro didn’t have a VIP ticket, and though Xu Chen had two, bringing her up would add an extra person.

Having this overenthusiastic fan might just smooth things over.

…

Sure enough, after pocketing her phone, the woman—still buzzing with excitement—led Xu Chen and Xie Bingran up.

…

…

In the VIP stands.

Wu Feifei spotted Xie Bingran and let out a happy shriek, rushing over to hug her.

“Ice Bro, you’re awesome!”

She and Xie Bingran were already close from their time in Yangcheng and Osaka.

Fang Jun and Nie Fei came over too, greeting Ice Bro and offering congrats.

Xie Bingran knew them well and, despite her cool nature, smiled in response.

Fang Jun, maybe from a drink or two, gazed at her dreamily and draped an arm around her, looking utterly smitten.

…

Su Rong stood a few steps away, hands clasped, head slightly down, looking shy and nervous.

The outgoing and savvy Wu Feifei caught on and said:

“Ice Bro, let me introduce a new friend!”

She pulled Xie Bingran over to Su Rong:

“This is Su Rong.”

“And this is Ice Bro…”

Su Rong’s face turned bright red; she didn’t look up but peeked with wide eyes:

“Hi, Ice Bro. I’m Su Rong…”

Xu Chen chuckled:

“Don’t be scared—Ice Bro doesn’t bite.”

Xie Bingran shot him a cold glance.

She turned to Su Rong and extended a hand:

“Nice to meet you, Su Rong. Xu Chen’s told me about you.

I’m glad to know you…”

Su Rong timidly shook her hand.

Suddenly, her eyes welled up:

“Ice Bro, I love you so much…

Congrats on winning first—I’m thrilled for you!”

Xie Bingran nodded, unsure how to handle the moment.

Xu Chen cleared his throat:

“Su Rong’s a huge fan—she even snuck here from home to see you!”

Xie Bingran looked a bit troubled, not knowing how to express her thanks.

Xu Chen had already filled her in on Su Rong back in the lounge.

She knew this girl was key to “Ran Bing Sports” and genuinely admired her.

Ice Bro thought for a second, then awkwardly reached out and hugged Su Rong.

Su Rong’s eyes widened, body stiffening…

Then she realized and joyfully hugged her idol back.

Fang Jun, straight-faced, raised his hands and started clapping.

It was a bit random.

Amid the hug, applause broke out.

…

…

The stadium still buzzed with energy.

Now underway was the Asian Games men’s javelin final, the last event of the morning.

Xu Chen lounged on a comfy sofa, munching fruit and watching the girls.

Nie Fei, Fang Jun, Wu Feifei, and Su Rong were snapping photos with Xie Bingran from every angle.

It was noisy and fun.

With the lively Wu Feifei around, the atmosphere quickly turned relaxed.

The usually shy Su Rong, excited to meet her idol, was now pulling Xie Bingran for wild photo sessions.

This soft-spoken girl acted all sweet and adoring, freely sharing her admiration:

“Ice Bro, you’re so cool and strong!”

“You’re even more stunning than on TV—you’re gorgeous!”

…

Xu Chen was content eating, but Wu Feifei dragged him up to be the photographer.

He used Wu Feifei’s Fujifilm camera and everyone’s phones for a photo frenzy.

Su Rong dug into her backpack and pulled out an instant camera.

Xu Chen got the idea and snapped a solo shot of Ice Bro and Su Rong.

Once it developed, Su Rong held the photo with a huge grin.

Then she fished out a black pen and shyly asked Xie Bingran:

“Ice Bro, could you sign this for me?”

…

…

Xu Chen finished half the fruit box.

The fruit, maybe from this desert oasis, was unusually sweet.

Nie Fei sat next to Xu Chen:

“Major news sites are all over Ice Bro’s win—it’s topping headlines.

Communities like Tianya and Catpuke are buzzing with her record-breaking news…

Jiang Yuze has PR resources lined up; we just need the material to roll it out.”

Xu Chen nodded:

“I had Coach Cheng Hong get shots of the banners from the event.

She’ll have them soon.”

He meant the cheering banners from the race.

Besides slogans like ‘Born Invincible, Heaven-Sent Ice,’ there was exposure for ‘Ran Bing 001.’

Nie Fei: “That made it into the live broadcast—Jiang Yuze already screenshot it.”

Xu Chen grabbed his backpack and patted it:

“Our ‘Ran Bing 001’ is right in here!”

…

Xu Chen paused, a mischievous smile crossing his face.

He thought about having Xie Bingran change shoes later and decided he’d do it himself.

…

…

…