Chapter 405: Campus Tour with Family

Sunday afternoon.

Xu Chen wandered around Tonghai University with his father Xu Zhiquan and Teacher Fang Jun, taking it easy.

Xie Bingran naturally walked alongside them.

She held Xu Chen’s hand, and ‘Little Wolf Dog’ looked adorable and quiet.

Around her neck hung the small jade Buddha that Old Xu had just given her.

As they strolled, Xu Chen explained and introduced things to his father Xu Zhiquan.

As a century-old prestigious school with a globally top-ranked architecture department, every building on Tonghai University’s campus had its own unique stories and highlights.

Even a plain three-story building might be one of the earliest Bauhaus-style structures in the country.

Xu Zhiquan puffed on a cigarette, nodding along to his son’s explanations.

He occasionally chimed in with a few remarks:

“What a great university—it’s really something else!”

“My son’s made it big! Too bad I can’t take this school back home to show off…”

“The vocational school I went to wasn’t even as big as your campus field…”

His father from back home felt like he was seeing the world, beaming with pride and joy for his son.

Fang Jun listened to Xu Chen’s explanations and said flatly:

“You never mentioned any of this last time I was here.”

“I only learned about it after taking an architecture elective.”

They wandered over to the Xueyuan Cafeteria, and Fang Jun added:

“The food in their cafeteria is delicious—it’s as good as any restaurant outside.”

Xu Zhiquan perked up instantly:

“Too bad we have a dinner reservation tonight…”

Xu Chen: “You’ll both still be here tomorrow and the day after—come eat then!”

Xu Zhiquan: “Sounds good! Let’s see what my son eats every day.”

Xu Chen: “I’ll take you for breakfast first thing tomorrow!”

…

Xu Chen led them to the bubble-tea shop by Music Square and bought a few cups of warm bubble tea.

Fang Jun and Xie Bingran sat together, while Xu Chen sat next to his father Xu Zhiquan.

Xu Zhiquan lit a cigarette for himself, glanced around the beautiful campus, and murmured:

“It’d be nice if your mom could see this too…”

Xu Chen saw the sadness on his father’s face.

He didn’t say anything, just reached out and hugged his dad’s broad shoulders.

…

Xu Chen turned and pointed to the Southwest Building behind them.

“That’s my dorm.”

Xu Zhiquan looked back:

“Can we go up and take a look?”

Xu Chen: “Sure, I’ll just check in with the Dorm Auntie.”

He glanced back at Xie Bingran.

Yesterday, the ‘little rich girl’ had mentioned wanting to see it too.

Xu Chen walked over to Xie Bingran and smiled:

“Put on your hat and mask—we’ve got Bing Ge’s fans in the dorm.”

“Oh…”

Fang Jun: “Worried about being recognized?”

Xu Chen: “If not, people might keep bugging me to drag Bing Ge out for meals…”

“It’d be a real hassle to deal with.”

Fang Jun nodded: “Makes sense.”

…

Ten minutes later, Xu Chen brought the three of them to room 3103 in the Southwest Building.

His roommates Hong Xiaoqiang and Chen Wenyi were still in the room, while the ‘study king’ Jiao Tianbo was probably at the library again.

Seeing Xu Chen bring adults in, Hong Xiaoqiang and Chen Wenyi politely stood up.

Xu Chen smiled and introduced:

“This is my dad.”

Hong Xiaoqiang and Chen Wenyi quickly greeted him: “Hello, Uncle Xu.”

Xu Zhiquan was tall and carried the air of a successful middle-aged man, which intimidated the two young guys a bit.

Hong Xiaoqiang and Chen Wenyi knew Xu Chen ran his own company and projects, so his family couldn’t be an ordinary working one.

“Uncle Xu” was likely a “President Xu” of some sort…

Xu Chen glanced at the two behind him:

“This is Fang Jun, my sister.”

“And this is… my brother…”

Hong Xiaoqiang and Chen Wenyi politely called out: “Sis” and “Bro.”

Fang Jun turned to look at the hat-and-mask-wearing Bing Ge and couldn’t help but smile.

Bing Ge was well disguised, wearing Xu Chen’s Louis Vuitton jacket, looking full of spirit.

Still, Hong Xiaoqiang and Chen Wenyi felt a bit curious—why was this “bro” bundled up so tightly…

Old Xu showed warm, caring interest toward Xu Chen’s roommates, asking about their hometowns and families.

He also threw in some compliments, like “Getting into Tonghai University from Zhejiang Province must mean you’re a top scholar” and “You look so polite and well-mannered—clearly from a scholarly family.”

A few words and he had Hong Xiaoqiang and Chen Wenyi grinning ear to ear.

Fang Jun was visiting Xu Chen’s dorm for the first time and pulled Xie Bingran around to look.

Xie Bingran spotted the huge wolf dog plushie on the bed and knew it was Xu Chen’s spot.

She blinked her big eyes and checked out the bed and desk carefully, like she was inspecting it.

Fang Jun reached out and squeezed Xu Chen’s mattress, asking:

“Comfortable to sleep on?”

This mattress was one Fang Jun had arranged at the start of the semester.

She’d bought two—one for Xu Chen and one for Xie Bingran.

The one here had been moved in by Bing Ge’s friends, Zhao Feng and Fang Tao.

Xu Chen quickly smiled and said:

“Of course it’s comfortable—the mattress you picked, Fang Jun, is just perfect!”

Fang Jun nodded, looking a bit pleased.

Old Xu clasped his hands behind his back and checked out his son’s living space—overall, he was satisfied.

After chatting more with Xu Chen’s roommates, he felt they were good kids, both in studies and character, so he relaxed even more.

…

As they left the dorm, Fang Jun glanced at the next room and frowned slightly.

Xu Chen looked over and saw that room 3104’s door was half-open, revealing Jiang Zhe Little Prince Qian Xin’s desk.

And on the cabinet door, there was a poster of Xie Bingran.

Before Fang Jun could ask, Xu Chen smiled and said:

“One of Bing Ge’s fans…”

Fang Jun said flatly: “No wonder.”

Xie Bingran glanced over too, just blinking without a word.

…

Old Xu was curious about the dorm building and checked out the shared bathroom and laundry room.

“No hot water here?”

Xu Zhiquan tested the bathroom faucet and asked.

Xu Chen: “The dorm bathrooms only have cold water—we go to the big baths for showers.”

Xu Zhiquan: “That’s a bit inconvenient.”

Xu Chen: “It’s fine—I treat the walk as exercise.”

Xu Zhiquan nodded:

“If it’s too much trouble, just rent a place outside or stay in a hotel.”

Xu Chen: “Dad, I’m good in the dorm! Plus, it’s convenient for classes… If I moved out, I’d miss the full college experience.”

Xu Zhiquan laughed heartily: “Right! Soak up that college life!”

…

…

As they came downstairs, they ran into Wu Feifei standing outside.

“Hello, Uncle Xu!”

Wu Feifei wore a long light-colored down jacket and greeted Xu Zhiquan first.

Xu Zhiquan recognized the “leader’s daughter” and smiled warmly: “Feifei! I thought we’d see you at dinner!”

Wu Feifei stuck out her tongue: “Fang Jun told me, so I came early to meet you all!”

She happily linked arms with Fang Jun.

Xu Chen said:

“I was about to drive over and pick you up—how’d you get here yourself?”

Wu Feifei: “It’s so close, no need.”

She glanced at the guy next to them in a baseball cap and mask, pausing briefly before realizing: “Bing Ge, you look so cool like that!”

Xie Bingran had swapped jackets with Xu Chen and was now in full Louis Vuitton, which really suited Bing Ge’s vibe.

It even looked better on him than on Xu Chen…

Xie Bingran pulled down his mask a bit and smiled at Wu Feifei.

Wu Feifei, being a smart girl, caught on quickly: “Of course, Bing Ge’s a big star—gotta stay incognito!”

…

They chatted and wandered more around campus.

Xu Zhiquan took a liking to Wu Feifei and asked about her studies and life at Shanghai Foreign Languages University.

Wu Feifei answered everything, treating him like a trusted elder.

She even mentioned interning at Xu Chen’s company, working on projects with Fei Jie and the team.

Xu Zhiquan hadn’t known that and looked at Xu Chen with approval.

Having the “leader’s daughter” around was clearly helpful.

It seemed his son was still supporting the family business from Shanghai.

With Wu Feifei’s outgoing personality, the conversation flowed without any awkward pauses.

She linked arms with Bing Ge and Fang Jun, keeping things lively.

Xu Chen walked with his dad again.

Xu Zhiquan lit a cigarette, and Xu Chen took the lighter, shielding it from the wind to light it.

Old Xu exhaled smoke, patted his son’s shoulder, and wore a proud expression.

…

In the evening, downstairs from the Girls’ Dormitory in Southwest Tower, Xu Zhiquan met Su Qitai’s daughter from Wanrong Materials for the first time.

She was a petite, cute girl with a shy demeanor, and Xu Zhiquan took a liking to her.

Wu Feifei pulled Su Rong over and introduced her to Old Xu.

Su Rong was a bit shy and reserved, saying softly: “Hello, Uncle Xu.”

Xu Chen sighed lightly: “Don’t be scared—my dad’s not that intimidating…”

Fang Jun: “?!”

Bing Ge paused, nearly laughing out loud.

Xu Zhiquan chuckled heartily: “When I went to Wanrong to drink with your father, we talked about you. He was surprised and happy to hear you’re classmates with my son!”

Mentioning her father relaxed Su Rong, and she chatted more with “Uncle Xu.”

She was already familiar with the others, including the aloof Fang Jun, whom she’d gotten to know in Doha.

When Su Rong saw Bing Ge in designer clothes, she felt a bit bashful as a young girl.

Xu Chen joked: “Bing Ge doesn’t bite either…”

Su Rong smiled happily and shyly greeted: “Hello, Bing Ge!”

Su Rong waved everyone over: “Let’s go eat—I’m starving!”

…

…

At the Benbang cuisine restaurant on Miyun Road.

They got a larger private room with a round table.

Fang Jun ordered the food as usual, rattling off to the waiter without even checking the menu.

As the elder, Xu Zhiquan sat at the head.

The rest were young people, so there wasn’t much formality.

Xu Chen sat next to his dad, while the girls clustered together—especially Bing Ge, flanked by Wu Feifei and Su Rong.

The table filled with dishes.

Drinks were juice and coconut milk.

Xu Chen paused, noticing no hard liquor, and glanced at his father and Fang Jun—they didn’t seem to mind.

He quickly realized: with Wu Feifei and Su Rong here, it wasn’t right to drink spirits, especially since it was their first real meetup.

Though Xu Zhiquan was the elder, this was more of a casual gathering.

Wu Feifei, ever perceptive, raised her glass: “Thanks for the treat, President Xu!”

Xu Zhiquan lifted his Coke with a big smile: “You all work hard studying—eat up today!”

Wu Feifei laughed: “We don’t work that hard—Bing Ge’s the one with tough training!”

…

Laughter filled the air.

Old Xu shared stories from Tiancheng, including some about the big leader Wu Yongming.

Wu Feifei pouted: “Dad said he’d visit me in Shanghai, but I’m almost on winter break and he hasn’t shown up!”

Fang Jun casually added: “Your dad’s busy with official duties, plus he’s been going to the province for meetings lately.”

Xu Chen recalled his father mentioning that the leader was a rising star with potential for advancement—it could benefit their family business.

…

While the adults talked, Su Rong sat contentedly by Bing Ge, enjoying her food.

She looked extra cute next to him, like a little bird.

Or maybe like a kitten with a wolf dog…

Xu Chen glanced over and saw the two sharing a piece of fish, looking all cozy.

It made him feel a bit jealous for no reason.

With Wu Feifei in between, he couldn’t just squeeze in and interrupt.

A while later, he noticed Xie Bingran and Su Rong whispering—who knew what about.

Bing Ge was usually quiet around anyone but Xu Chen…

Now chatting with Su Rong? Xu Chen frowned, wondering if something was up.