Chapter 400: Winter Break Whispers

Xie Bingran was packing her suitcase when the dormitory door got a knock from outside.

Xu Chen glanced over, thinking it must be Senior Bai Miao.

The door swung open, and in walked Coach Cheng Hong.

Xu Chen jumped to his feet and greeted her politely:

“Hello, Coach Cheng!”

Cheng Hong strolled in with her hands behind her back, smirking as she sized up Xu Chen, though she kept a straight face.

“Getting Bing Ge’s holiday approved was no small feat, so you two need to stay safe out there…”

“Especially you, Xu Chen—keep a close eye on Bing Ge and take good care of her…”

“She’s a national asset now. If anything goes wrong, that’s on you!”

Cheng Hong spoke with utter seriousness, her tone full of concern.

Xu Chen stood straight and serious, replying earnestly:

“Don’t worry, Coach Cheng. I’ll bring Bing Ge back safe and sound by the end of the break!”

Cheng Hong cleared her throat softly:

“From now on, send me daily updates on your itinerary.

Where you are, what you’re doing, what you plan to do…

And every evening, check in to say you’re safe.”

She paused, scanning them both:

“Both of you need to send those updates.”

Xie Bingran just said, “Oh.”

Xu Chen smiled and promised again:

“You can count on me, Coach Cheng. Mission accomplished.”

Cheng Hong: “Bing Ge’s break ends on New Year’s Day.

She needs to resume training on the 2nd…

At the absolute latest, have her back by noon on the 2nd.”

Xu Chen nodded:

“No problem.”

Cheng Hong frowned, still looking uneasy.

“And about travel, rest, eating, drinking, and daily fitness—there’s more I need to cover…”

Xu Chen quickly grabbed a chair for Coach Cheng:

“Take a seat, Coach. I’ll kneel and listen!”

“…”

…

Cheng Hong was thorough as always.

She sat and went over all the key points for the break, down to the smallest details.

Especially things like Xie Bingran’s meals, rest, safety, warmth, and daily training routines.

Xu Chen listened for a bit then pulled out his phone and hit record.

He turned and yanked Xie Bingran over from her packing.

Bing Ge looked like a reluctant kid but let Xu Chen pull her in front of ‘Teacher Cheng’ to listen quietly.

…

Cheng Hong talked for about twenty minutes before standing up.

“Alright, have a great break and enjoy yourselves!”

With that, she headed for the door.

Xu Chen followed, all smiles and politeness.

…

…

A short while later, dusk had settled in.

Xie Bingran carried her small National Team suitcase as she and Xu Chen left the Athletes’ Apartment.

Bing Ge’s gold medals stayed back in the dorm for now.

They could pick them up later once Xu Chen’s office safe was set up.

Still, Xu Chen thought leaving the medals out on the shelf was careless, so he made Bing Ge lock them away securely.

Xie Bingran seemed indifferent but went along with it.

…

As they headed to the parking area, Xu Chen asked:

“Spring Festival is a holiday too, right?”

Xie Bingran: “It should be, but I don’t know the details yet.”

Xu Chen: “Will you go back to Tiancheng?”

Xie Bingran hesitated, lips pressed tight, saying nothing.

Xu Chen realized he’d hit a sensitive spot.

After her grandmother passed, Xie Bingran was pretty much on her own.

Going back to the old Xie house in South River Village just felt empty and lonely.

For Xie Bingran, alone like that, the holidays lost their meaning of going home…

Xu Chen took her hand and smiled:

“Spend the New Year with me.”

Xie Bingran thought for a moment and whispered:

“Where…”

Xu Chen: “At my place…

Or if that doesn’t feel right, we can celebrate in Shanghai, just us two…”

Xie Bingran blinked her big eyes:

“Maybe not. You should be with your dad.”

Xu Chen: “Then come with me to Tiancheng. My dad really likes you!”

Xie Bingran paused, then softly said, “Mm.”

She remembered something else and added:

“I think I have to go back to Shandong Province and Tiancheng before the New Year…”

Xu Chen paused, then grinned:

“Oh, right—Bing Ge has that new Tiancheng property to pick up!”

Xie Bingran: “There are some provincial events I need to attend, so I’ll go to the Provincial Capital first, then Tiancheng.

But I don’t know the exact timing yet. The team is still coordinating with the Provincial Sports Bureau…”

Xu Chen: “Once it’s set, let me know.

I’ll check my schedule and go with you.”

Xie Bingran: “Mm…”

Xu Chen: “I’m really curious about your new place in Tiancheng—can’t wait to see it!”

Xie Bingran thought it over:

“I probably won’t stay there much. You can have it…”

Xu Chen chuckled: “Silly girl, I don’t go back often either.”

Xie Bingran: “Oh…”

Xu Chen: “Not sure if it’s furnished.

Once you get the keys, I’ll help set it up—furniture, appliances, the works!

That way, when you visit Tiancheng, you’ll have a comfy spot.”

Xie Bingran: “Furniture and appliances…

Then I’ll pay for them!”

Xu Chen started to refuse but smiled instead:

“Sure, Bing Ge’s loaded now!

I’ll handle the shopping, and you can reimburse me later!”

Xie Bingran showed a hint of joy:

“Good.”

…

They loaded Bing Ge’s small suitcase into the trunk and climbed into the car.

Night had fallen, and the parking lot lights flickered dimly—one seemed out.

“Click”—Xie Bingran buckled her seatbelt herself.

Seeing her strapped in and unable to move, Xu Chen felt a surge of desire.

He leaned in, pinning her against the seat.

defenseless, Bing Ge let Xu Chen kiss her…

Their lips met softly, warm and tender.

They pulled apart reluctantly.

“You’re so delicious,” Xu Chen whispered.

Xie Bingran blinked, smiling but avoiding his gaze.

Xu Chen kissed her cheek and grinned:

“Tonight…

I’m going to kiss you until you’re breathless!”

…

…

The car merged onto the expressway, cutting through Minhang and heading north.

Xu Chen gripped the wheel, chatting casually with Bing Ge.

“I heard from Coach Cheng that the team in Shanghai—coaches, medics—they’re mostly there for you.”

Xie Bingran thought about it:

“Not just me. There are other National Team members and a few local athletes too.”

…”

Xu Chen: “The National Athletics Team’s headquarters is still in Beijing, right?”

Xie Bingran: “Yeah, this side is mainly under Coach Sun.

The main group is in Beijing…”

Bing Ge paused, then added quietly:

“This setup is better. I don’t want to deal with those people in Beijing…”

Xu Chen caught the edge in her voice:

“What? Did someone in Beijing mess with Bing Ge?”

Xie Bingran let out a cold laugh:

“When I first joined, some senior members picked on the new ones.

Back in Beijing, Bai Miao and Dong Jiajia got upset more than once.

But I handled them…”

Xu Chen: “…”

“Bing Ge” is as tough as they come…

“For these couple of days off, is there anywhere special Bing Ge wants to go?

I’ll take you anywhere…”

Xie Bingran considered it:

“Not really. I’ll just go with you.”

Xu Chen: “The Oriental Pearl Tower? The Bund?

You’ve mostly been stuck at the Minhang base since coming to Shanghai, right? Haven’t seen those spots?”

Xie Bingran: “There was an event yesterday at the Oriental Pearl Tower.”

“Then I’ll take you to the Bund and Lujiazui for a stroll, maybe grab a buffet!”

Xu Chen remembered something:

“You’re a big star now, so we should cover up a bit.

I bought you a hat and mask—they’re on the back seat. I’ll get them for you later…”

Xie Bingran: “Oh.”

Xu Chen glanced at her:

“I’ll pick up a couple more outfits too. Your athletic gear with the national flag is too noticeable.”

Xie Bingran: “Oh.”

Xu Chen thought of an idea:

“For the disguise, how about guy’s clothes?

Back in high school, ‘Bing Ge’ dressed like a regular guy anyway.”

He paused, grinning:

“Plus, you’re tall and strong from training…

You’d look sharp in guy’s clothes!”

Xie Bingran turned slightly, her refined eyes flashing with a chill:

“Are you asking for trouble…?”

Xu Chen pretended to be scared and stayed quiet, though he was secretly thrilled.

Xie Bingran was silent for a moment, then said:

“No need for new clothes then…”

Xu Chen: “Huh?”

Xie Bingran: “I can wear yours.”

Xu Chen froze.

Xie Bingran turned to him with a teasing look:

“You’re not much taller than me.

And with your build, my clothes would fit just fine…”

Xu Chen: “…”

He thought about it:

“You know, you’re right…

It might actually work.”

Alright…

He had to admit, it sounded feasible.

Xu Chen recalled his wardrobe and smiled:

“Perfect.

I just got a Louis Vuitton outfit the other day.

It was too flashy for school, so it’s perfect for you.

It’s all loose, oversized styles—should suit you.

And since you’re about to endorse Louis Vuitton, it fits right…”

Xie Bingran: “Have you worn it?”

Xu Chen: “Yeah, I have!”

Xie Bingran hesitated, then hid a smile:

“Good…”

Xu Chen: “Has Louis Vuitton reached out?

I heard it’s a shoot with Scarlett Johansson!”

Xie Bingran: “Coach Cheng mentioned it.

Director Li Yue is handling the paperwork—probably sign after New Year’s Day.

But the shoot details are unclear…”

Xu Chen: “I doubt I can get involved.

Big international brands like that handle their own ads.”

Xie Bingran said “Oh,” sounding a bit down.

Xu Chen: “When you get the shoot notice, tell me.

If I can tag along to learn, that’d be great.”

Xie Bingran: “Oh.”

…

…

Forty minutes later, they pulled up at the Tonghai Creative Design Building.

Xu Chen parked and they got out.

He opened the back door and grabbed the baseball hats first.

Then he stepped in front of Bing Ge and plopped one on her head.

He stepped back, nodded in approval.

The wide brim hid her features well.

Xu Chen put on the matching hat:

“The company’s upstairs. Let me show you around!”

“Mm.”

…

Xu Chen led Xie Bingran straight to the elevator and up to the sixth floor.

“This is the new office—Ran Bing Sports and East Morning Star Advertising are both here.

The eighth floor has a small office I use when it’s empty.”

Holding Xie Bingran’s soft hand, he reached the company door.

It was a weekend evening, so the place was deserted.

Xu Chen keyed in the code, flipped on the lights, and the room lit up brightly.

“Over there’s East Morning Star Advertising’s reception, and Ran Bing Sports is on the other side.

But the workspaces are all open…”

“We’re still small, so lots of space to fill.”

“Aimi wants to put up a display wall in Ran Bing Sports—covered in Bing Ge posters!”

…

Xu Chen guided the ‘little rich lady’ through the spacious office.

As he showed her around, he couldn’t help bragging a bit.

…

After the tour, Xu Chen smiled at Xie Bingran:

“What do you think?”

Xie Bingran blinked: “Ah?”

She seemed confused why he was asking.

Xu Chen wrapped an arm around her waist:

“This is our company!

“Ran Bing Sports—we’re the main shareholders.

And East Morning Star Advertising handles mostly Bing Ge-related projects…”

Hugged close, Xie Bingran listened and beamed with quiet happiness.

She met his eyes and whispered:

“I’m happy…”

Xu Chen laughed and planted a big kiss on her cheek.

…

Xu Chen headed to the water station and poured two cups of warm water.

Xie Bingran wandered the workstations and spotted Wu Feifei’s and Su Rong’s nameplates.

He handed her a cup and explained:

“These two are key to our business…

They drop by sometimes for hands-on experience.”

Xie Bingran: “Oh.”

Xu Chen flashed a mischievous grin:

“Getting close to them won’t make Bing Ge jealous, right?”

Xie Bingran sipped her water and replied coolly:

“You can try…”

Xu Chen: “…”

…

Leaving the sixth floor, Xu Chen took Xie Bingran up to the eighth.

This office felt more personal to him.

“We just cleared it out. I’ll fix it up as my private studio…”

“I’ll keep Bing Ge’s gold medals here.

That room—I might add a hidden safe just for them!”

…

“And that meeting room, I’ll convert it—put a bed in there.

Then I can crash here if needed, like the office in Jinfeng Business Tower…”

…

Xie Bingran recalled that Tiancheng office.

One night with no hotel, Xu Chen had brought her there.

That evening, Bing Ge slept on the black sofa in the reception room, covered by his dark gray blanket…

Xie Bingran looked around:

“Put a sofa bed here. I could use it too.”

Xu Chen paused, then got it.

He took her hand:

“Next time you come, you’ll share the bed with me!”

Xie Bingran: “But you’re a monster—I might be scared.”

…

…”