Chapter 401: Campus Whispers and Hidden Moments

The office.

While Xu Chen went to get water, Xie Bingran wandered into the General Manager’s Office.

She glanced around, her eyes landing on a small ornament on the desk.

She recognized it at once—it was the Lucky Cat she had given to Xu Chen.

He had bought it at the airport when they left Osaka in September.

Xie Bingran reached out and gently stroked the cat’s head.

Xu Chen walked back in and pointed to a cabinet behind him, saying:

“I’m planning to install a safe or lockbox in this cabinet just for your Gold Medal!”

As he spoke, he pulled open a cabinet door:

“Right here!”

Xie Bingran looked down and saw several bottles of alcohol inside, asking:

“Why so much booze?”

Xu Chen replied, “Teacher Fang Jun hides his here…

Only these few bottles of red wine are mine. I drink them occasionally at company gatherings.”

Xie Bingran nodded with an “Oh,” her gaze shifting to a blue, elegant wine box.

It was a bottle of Martell Blue Label.

Xu Chen noticed and explained:

“That brandy is from Fei Jie. She brought it from Yangcheng when she first arrived in Shanghai.”

…

Xu Chen checked the time and decided it was time to take Bing Ge back.

“Are you hungry?”

Xie Bingran said, “Not really—I just ate.”

Xu Chen replied, “You’re an athlete; I worry you burn through energy fast.”

Xie Bingran didn’t respond but shot him a chilly glance.

It made Xu Chen clam up instantly.

The two left the General Manager’s Office.

Xu Chen headed to the water station and opened the fridge to look inside.

Then he smiled and pulled out a yellow apple.

“Look at that! There’s still one left!

My dad sent it from Tiancheng…”

As he spoke, he turned on the faucet by the water bar and quickly rinsed it.

He dried it with a paper towel and handed it to Xie Bingran.

Now he remembered, he had asked Old Xu to send yellow apples because Bing Ge had mentioned wanting some.

Bing Ge took the yellow apple in both hands and twisted it gently, splitting it in two…

Xu Chen took his half and started munching with a crunch.

The apple had sat for a while, so it was a bit dry with wrinkled skin, but the flavor was even richer and more mature…

After sharing the apple from home, they turned off the lights, locked up, and hand in hand, headed downstairs.

At the parking area, Xu Chen opened the trunk.

Bing Ge grabbed her small suitcase, and Xu Chen slung his Backpack over his shoulder.

He also stuffed the pack of black masks from the back seat into the bag.

…

“First, we’ll head back to the hotel to drop off the luggage, then I’ll show you around the campus…

I need to swing by the dormitory to grab a few clothes.”

“Oh.”

Xu Chen glanced at Xie Bingran; she wore a baseball cap that hid half her face.

And with it being evening, she wouldn’t stand out.

Besides, on Tonghai University’s campus, even her fans wouldn’t expect to see her here.

Without a word, Xu Chen reached out and took Xie Bingran’s hand again.

…

They entered Tonghai University through the South Gate.

Xu Chen led Xie Bingran straight to the Tonghai University Guesthouse.

They had checked in earlier that afternoon, so they went right to their room.

It was a spacious, clean suite with a large bed.

Xie Bingran set down her suitcase and eyed the big bed, blinking her big eyes.

She couldn’t wait to snuggle into Xu Chen’s arms again—it felt so exciting…

Xu Chen took his laptop out of the Backpack and set it on the table, then slung the bag back over his shoulder.

“Why are you taking the bag?” Xie Bingran asked.

“I’m heading to the dorm to pack a few changes of clothes—and I have some clothes for you too!”

He meant the Louis Vuitton outfit he planned for her to wear tomorrow.

…

The campus lights at Tonghai University weren’t very bright.

Hand in hand, they strolled through the grounds as the night breeze kept things mild.

Xu Chen walked with Xie Bingran, and for the first time in two lives, he truly felt the sweet vibe of campus youth.

College life was all about wandering hand in hand with your girl…

Xie Bingran seemed curious about the Tonghai University campus, looking around with her head tilted up.

Xu Chen explained it all to her.

He pointed out which buildings belonged to which colleges, how old they were, and their architectural styles.

Xie Bingran listened intently, clearly interested.

Xu Chen watched her focused expression and realized something.

Though Bing Ge was a student at Huahai Normal University, she spent most of her time training at the Xin Zhuang Base, so she hadn’t experienced real college life much.

Details like these from Xu Chen were probably new to her.

A professional athlete’s life was mostly training and competitions—pretty monotonous…

Thinking about it, Xu Chen felt a pang of sympathy.

From what he knew in his past life, many national team athletes got direct spots for master’s programs after retiring, even teaching at universities sometimes.

For Bing Ge, college life wasn’t out of reach in the future…

Students moved about the campus—some heading back to dorms from the Library, others fresh from the public baths, and a few just out for a casual walk.

Many were couples holding hands.

Xu Chen and Xie Bingran blended right in, nothing out of the ordinary.

…

After wandering a big loop around campus, Xu Chen’s legs felt tired, so he pulled Xie Bingran to a bench behind the Library to rest.

He rubbed his calves, looking worn out.

Tonghai University’s campus was huge; just a casual stroll covered two or three kilometers.

Xie Bingran looked down at Xu Chen rubbing his legs and gave him a speechless, slightly disdainful glance.

Xu Chen said innocently:

“Hey, I’m not an athlete…”

Xie Bingran said nothing and just sat next to him.

Xu Chen turned and pulled the little rich girl into his arms.

He looked thrilled.

…

They made their way to the southwestern dormitory area.

This was the Southwest Building Ten, a girls’ dorm with girls coming and going.

Xie Bingran seemed curious about these typical ‘university girls,’ blinking her big eyes as she watched.

Xu Chen said:

“Su Rong lives in this building.”

He had dropped her off a few times, so he knew exactly where Su Rong stayed in Southwest Building Ten.

Xie Bingran turned to Xu Chen:

“You two are pretty close?”

Xu Chen looked exasperated.

“Of course—we’re in the same class!

We sit together in lectures…”

Xie Bingran stayed silent but narrowed her eyes with a hint of chill.

Xu Chen found it amusing and quickly soothed her:

“Su Rong’s a big fan of you—she even designed a custom badge for you.”

As he spoke, he slipped off his Backpack.

He unzipped it and pulled out a badge pendant.

Xie Bingran leaned in and saw it was a cartoon girl character.

Short hair, big eyes, looking adorably fierce…

“Did Su Rong make this?” Xie Bingran asked.

“Yeah! Her making this for you shows she really likes you, Bing Ge.”

Xu Chen paused, feeling it sounded a bit off.

He added:

“It’s like fan admiration, not anything romantic.”

Xie Bingran ignored him and examined the cartoon badge closely.

She handed it back to Xu Chen: “Keep it safe.”

Xu Chen chuckled and tucked it back into his bag.

…

They arrived at the base of Southwest Building One.

Xu Chen pointed up to a window on the third floor:

“That’s my room right there.”

Xie Bingran looked up:

“Can I go up and check it out?”

Xu Chen thought for a moment:

“They don’t allow opposite-sex visitors at night…

Plus, one of my roommates is your fan—he even took a photo with you in Doha.”

Xie Bingran: “Oh.”

Xu Chen pondered and smiled:

“How about next Monday?

During class break, the dorm will be empty. I’ll skip out and show you around.”

Xie Bingran: “Oh.”

…

Xu Chen settled Xie Bingran on a bench outside the dorm:

“Wait here for me—I’ll run up, grab a few changes of clothes, and be right back.”

“Oh.”

…

Xu Chen grabbed his Backpack and hurried into Southwest Building One, heading straight to his room.

His three roommates were there.

Jiao Tianbo was studying, Chen Wenyi was playing guitar, and Hong Xiaoqiang was on the computer.

Xu Chen greeted them and started pulling clothes from his closet.

Hong Xiaoqiang glanced over:

“Heading out, Boss Xu?”

Xu Chen packed as he replied casually:

“Yeah…

My brother came to visit, so I’m staying at the hotel with him.”

Hong Xiaoqiang: “You have a brother, Boss Xu?”

Xu Chen: “Not blood-related, but closer than family…”

Hong Xiaoqiang paused: “Wait, you’re sure it’s a brother and not a sister?”

At that, Jiao Tianbo and Chen Wenyi looked over curiously.

Especially Jiao Tianbo, the top student, with a strange alertness in his eyes.

Xu Chen hesitated and whispered to Jiao Tianbo:

“Relax… it’s not Wu Feifei…”

Jiao Tianbo’s eyes flickered, as if his thoughts were exposed.

He looked tense and embarrassed but buried his head back in his books without a word.

Chen Wenyi strummed his guitar, his expression odd.

Xu Chen, bag in hand, smiled and whispered to Chen Wenyi at the door:

“Don’t worry—it’s not Su Rong…”

“…”

Chen Wenyi froze, said nothing, and hugged his guitar tighter.

Hong Xiaoqiang glanced at Jiao Tianbo and Chen Wenyi and laughed:

“Good thing I don’t have a crush on anyone.”

…

…

Xu Chen came downstairs and spotted Xie Bingran sitting alone on the bench, looking a bit isolated.

He didn’t linger and quickly walked over.

“Let’s go—time for bed!”

…

Ten minutes later, they were back in the hotel room.

Xu Chen pulled a few clothes from his bag and hung them in the closet.

He tugged Xie Bingran over, about to help her take off her jacket.

“What are you doing?” Xie Bingran asked.

Xu Chen glanced at the Louis Vuitton outfit hanging in the closet:

“Trying on my clothes to see if they fit you.”

Xie Bingran said “Oh” and let him help remove her cotton jacket.

Xu Chen picked up the oversized LV-logo jacket and slipped it on her.

He stepped back, checked it out, and nodded approvingly:

“Perfect fit—looks great!”

The jacket was meant to be loose.

On Xie Bingran, with her delicate features, it made the piece look even more stylish and expensive.

Bing Ge was a natural clotheshorse—everything suited her.

…

Xu Chen moved closer to Xie Bingran and wrapped his arms around her waist…

Xie Bingran startled: “What are you up to?”

Xu Chen grabbed the hem of her pants:

“Just trying on the pants too!”

He acted like he was about to help her change.

Xie Bingran stepped back, on guard…

Xu Chen laughed: “My bad.”

But he felt a bit disappointed that his plan didn’t work…

He picked up the LV khaki work pants and handed them to Xie Bingran.

Xie Bingran bit her lip, looking embarrassed, and took the pants into the bathroom.

In just two or three minutes, she came out.

Xu Chen looked her over and nodded:

“Looks fantastic!”

He frowned slightly and added:

“How come these pants don’t look long on you?”

Xie Bingran: “Because my legs are long.”

Xu Chen eyed her up and down…

Bing Ge really did have long legs.

Though she was a few centimeters shorter than him, her waistline was higher.

Those legs of hers seemed just as long as his…

“With a hat tomorrow, no one would doubt you’re a guy.”

Xu Chen grabbed the jacket from the bed—the one Xie Bingran had just taken off.

He brought it to his face and inhaled the fresh, invigorating scent:

“Let me keep this jacket!” Xu Chen said with a smile.

Xie Bingran blinked: “Huh?”

Xu Chen explained:

“The big wolf dog plush in the dorm has lost your scent!”

“Oh…”

…

…

Twenty minutes later, both had showered and slipped under the covers.

The room lights were still on.

The AC blew warm air, making the room cozy.

A white thin blanket covered them as they lay face to face.

Xu Chen reached out and touched Xie Bingran’s cheek:

“Want a hug?”

Xie Bingran blinked: “Yes…”

Xu Chen smiled and opened his arms.

Xie Bingran looked happy and scooted closer into his embrace.

Xu Chen squeezed her shoulders and back:

“Feels like you’ve gotten stronger, Bing Ge?”

Xie Bingran lifted her head, eyes flashing with a chill:

“Are you asking for trouble?”

Xu Chen kissed her forehead:

“It feels great…”

Xie Bingran blushed and buried her face in his chest.

Xu Chen’s hand wandered a bit, sliding down…

But Xie Bingran caught it:

“No funny business.”

Xu Chen sighed dramatically:

“How am I supposed to live like this…

I’m in my prime…”

Xie Bingran stroked his cheek:

“Be good…”

She leaned in and kissed his lips softly.

Xu Chen let out a long sigh and rolled onto his back:

“Then I won’t hug you—it’s torture…”

Xie Bingran snuggled closer and wrapped her arms around him tightly.

She grinned mischievously and stuck out her tongue…

Gently licking his earlobe.

Xu Chen felt a shiver run through half his body and groaned:

“Don’t tease, or I’ll turn into a monster!”…

Suddenly, he yelped.

Because she had sneaked a hand down and pinched him lightly…

Xie Bingran’s face turned red with embarrassment as she burrowed deeper into his arms.

She hid her face, not daring to look up.

…

…

…

…”