Chapter 429: Echoes of Ambition

When asked about the upcoming ‘big competitions’, Xie Bingran replied:

‘The National Athletics Championships, the Asian Athletics Championships.’

‘Then the World Athletics Championships, the Olympics…’

Xu Chen: ‘That’s heading straight for a Grand Slam!’

Xie Bingran: ‘A Grand Slam means winning gold in all of them.’

‘The domestic and Asian ones are doable…’

‘But I haven’t run in the World Championships or the Olympics yet.’

Xu Chen drew in a sharp breath:

‘Bing Ge is so bold.’

Xie Bingran: ‘Huh?’

Xu Chen: ‘You said you haven’t run them yet, but not that you might not win.’

Xie Bingran frowned and thought for a moment:

‘Seems like the same thing.’

Xu Chen said with a smile: ‘Not quite.’

‘In psychology, it’s called the ‘self-fulfilling prophecy’ or the ‘Pygmalion effect’…

‘Explaining it is too complicated, but basically, it’s about positive self-suggestion in your subconscious.’

‘It helps your athletic career more than you can imagine.’

Xie Bingran: ‘I don’t get it; sounds too mystical.’

Xu Chen looked pleased; he checked the time:

‘I don’t know much about the World Championships, but the 2008 Olympics seem like the biggest one?’

Xie Bingran: ‘Probably.’

‘After coming back from Doha, I stayed in Beijing for a few days…’

‘Sun Coach got called to the Sports Administration for a meeting; it was all about the 2008 Olympics.’

Xu Chen raised his tea and clinked it against Xie Bingran’s cup:

‘Here’s to Bing Ge dominating the 2008 Olympics!’

He ignored Xie Bingran’s reaction and boldly downed the whole cup of tea.

…

…

The evening air was still crisp; the temperature had dropped noticeably.

Luckily, Xu Chen had planned ahead—the two white, long down jackets Xie Bingran bought in Shanghai were in the car.

Right now, on the shore of Liao Yu River Wetland.

The two wore matching long down jackets, strolling along the wetland path.

Xie Bingran seemed curious about Xu Chen’s ‘work’ and asked a few questions.

Xu Chen hadn’t talked much about the company or his job with Xie Bingran before, so he took the chance to share more.

Things like the projects he was working on and the employees in the company…

The sunset’s glow gradually spread across the vast Dianchi Lake, turning the water a deep red.

Xu Chen brought Xie Bingran to Liao Yu River Wetland because it’s the best spot to watch the sunset.

They reached a railing and gazed at the highland lake bathed in sunset.

Xu Chen wrapped his arms around Xie Bingran from behind.

She leaned back into his embrace comfortably.

Recalling the casual chat with Xu Chen earlier, Xie Bingran said:

‘In less than a year, our lives have changed completely.’

Xu Chen inhaled the pleasant scent from her and smiled: ‘All the good changes in my life are thanks to Bing Ge!’

Xie Bingran: ‘Why?’

Xu Chen: ‘My advertising company’s big projects and Ran Bing Sports all happened because of you.’

Xie Bingran thought seriously:

‘Actually, it started because you pushed me to run.’

She turned around and gently stroked Xu Chen’s cheek:

‘So, it’s all because of you…’

‘Every good thing, every happy moment in my life, is because of you.’

As she spoke, her big eyes shimmered with something crystal clear.

Xu Chen leaned in and touched her nose with his.

Xie Bingran hesitated a moment, then kissed him lightly on the lips:

‘Xu Chen, I really like you…’

‘I know.’

‘I like you, not because you’re good to me or take care of me, or because you bring me good things.’

‘I like you just because I like you.’

‘It’s been that way from the start…’

Xu Chen chuckled:

‘That sounds complicated; I don’t even get it.’

Xie Bingran showed a touch of unexplained grievance; she pursed her lips and whispered:

‘Even if you weren’t good to me or ignored me…’

‘I’d still like you.’

Xu Chen paused, his heart tightening.

He naturally thought of those years when he hadn’t paid her any attention.

He held her tighter and kissed her face firmly:

‘I like you too.’

Xie Bingran buried her head in Xu Chen’s chest, wrapping her arms around him and gripping the back of his jacket tightly.

…

…

Dinner was back at the hotel with local specialties.

Eggs with whitebait, stir-fried matsutake, mushroom soup, and ham with cloud ear fungus.

After a day of wandering, they were tired, so they ate heartily.

Bing Ge, with her athlete’s build, had a great appetite even without intense training—her metabolism was probably high.

Xu Chen watched her cheeks bulge as she ate and felt content.

…

While eating, he checked his phone and saw a message from Gu Xinxi.

The girl had become the company’s ‘attentive little manager’, handling projects with great care.

As the boss, Xu Chen felt a bit guilty; it was still the New Year’s holiday.

Gu Xinxi’s update was that Chen Xinyi from Jiaduobao had reached out about design needs for Kunlun Mountain and Wang Laoshun.

Xu Chen was a little surprised; why were these minor requests coming to East Morning Star Advertising?

And right during the holiday…

He asked and learned that Jiaduobao had seen the Great Wall Award news.

The ‘Afraid of Getting Heated’ ad winning the top award boosted the Wang Laoshun brand’s image for the Jiaduobao Group.

After Nie Fei left, Vice President Gong Ming took over marketing and remembered East Morning Star Advertising.

Recently, Jiaduobao’s dealings with an ad agency in Yangcheng weren’t going well, so they were considering a switch.

Xu Chen felt a bit speechless.

At first, Gong Ming had looked down on East Morning Star Advertising when he took over Nie Fei’s work.

He even doubted the endorsement deal with Xie Bingran.

Xu Chen could sense that in the early phone meetings.

And Gong Ming didn’t even show up for the Kunlun Mountain shoot…

Until Xie Bingran won at the Asian Games and her fame and commercial value skyrocketed, Gong Ming realized Nie Fei’s decisions were right and East Morning Star’s expertise shone.

He even made a special trip to Shanghai to visit…

But Xu Chen didn’t really want to take on Jiaduobao and Kunlun Mountain’s follow-up design work.

It was just tedious design tasks with no real challenge—just hard labor.

Unexpectedly, after hearing about the Great Wall Award, they came back…

Xu Chen thought it over and replied to Gu Xinxi:

[‘Do you have a specific list of demands? Send it to me first…’]

[‘Chen Xinyi attached one in the email; hold on, boss, I’ll forward it right away!’]

He soon received the email.

Xu Chen skimmed through it; no major issues.

It could bring in twenty to thirty thousand a month to cover the team’s costs.

[‘Does Tang Xiaowei have much on his plate right now?’] Xu Chen replied.

Gu Xinxi: [‘Not too much; he’s mostly working with Aimi.’]

Xu Chen: [‘Tell Jiaduobao we can take this long-term design work.’

‘We’ll use a piece-rate plus monthly fee model—whichever is higher, that’s what we charge…’]

‘Also, East Morning Star Advertising’s quotes will be 20-30% higher than others.’

‘If they’re okay with that, push it forward.’

Gu Xinxi: [‘Got it, I’ll pass it on.’

‘From my chat with Chen Xinyi today, Gong Ming really wants to give the job to East Morning Star.’

‘So, the price hike should be fine…’]

Xu Chen: [‘If they’re up for it, great!’

‘Once the quote’s set, talk it over with Aimi and Xiaowei.’

‘At first, Aimi should guide Xiaowei to ensure quality.’

‘Once he’s up to speed, hand it off completely.’

Gu Xinxi: [‘Understood!’]

Xu Chen flipped through the draft demand list and figured it could bring in thirty to fifty thousand in steady revenue each month.

That alone would cover the company’s daily expenses.

Not bad.

Smart budgeting.

…

…

Xie Bingran had finished eating quickly and was sipping warm pear soup.

She was checking messages on her phone and suddenly asked:

‘Is your school having a welcome party?’

Xu Chen paused:

‘How do you know everything?’

Xie Bingran: ‘Aren’t you going?’

Xu Chen: ‘I want to be with you.’

Xie Bingran: ‘Oh.’

Xu Chen looked puzzled: ‘You knew about it?’

He asked and immediately guessed the answer.

It had to be Su Rong telling Bing Ge.

Those two were thick as thieves now…

Xie Bingran held up her phone screen.

Xu Chen glanced at it; it was a selfie from Su Rong in her ‘Xiao Qiao’ costume for tonight’s show.

Xu Chen teased:

‘Getting pretty close—sharing personal selfies now.’

Xie Bingran shrugged it off:

‘Su Rong is really pretty and cute; I like her.’

Xu Chen: ‘…’

Xie Bingran: ‘There are so many good-looking girls in your class!’

Xu Chen: ‘Huh?’

Xie Bingran handed over the screen again.

It was another photo from Su Rong, this time a group shot.

Besides ‘Xiao Qiao’ Su Rong, there was ‘Zhou Yu’ Min Siyang, ‘Diao Chan’ Chen Qiong, ‘Sun Shangxiang’ You Li…

Xu Chen: ‘She shares everything with you—closer than I thought.’

Xie Bingran narrowed her eyes:

‘With all these pretty girls in class, lectures must be fun, right?’

Xu Chen: ‘Never heard that!’

Xie Bingran: ‘No wonder you suggested Huahai Normal University for me—didn’t want me at your school on purpose?’

Xu Chen: ‘That’s not even related…’

…

…

Early the next morning.

Xu Chen and Xie Bingran had breakfast, packed up, checked out, and headed downstairs.

Today they were driving straight to Cangshan Erhai—something to look forward to.

A three-to-four-hour drive would let Xu Chen indulge his love for driving, especially with the little rich girl in the passenger seat.

To see more scenery, he took the national road instead of the highway.

It might be slower, but could reveal some gems along the way.

Blue skies and white clouds lifted their spirits.

Xu Chen connected his phone via Bluetooth and played a Xu Wei playlist perfect for the Yunnan roads.

Memories from past and present overlapped with the beautiful views and his companion…

Xu Chen felt a mix of joy and emotion, singing along carefree with the music.

Xie Bingran found it amusing; she’d never seen him so free-spirited and quietly snapped some unflattering photos.

…

Only the green mountains hid among the white clouds, butterflies darted through clear streams…

The forests bloomed with the brightest flowers, scattered in the spring breeze…

Who painted this world, and painted me and you…

Clear and lofty.

Warm and pure.

Vast heaven and earth.

…

…

Around two in the afternoon, they arrived in Li City.

They’d booked a place on the east shore of Erhai in Shuanglang Ancient Town—the views were stunning, with the lake in front and Cangshan behind…

But Xu Chen didn’t go there first; he drove to the city’s Ancient Town district.

He parked and said:

‘We’ll stay in Shuanglang tonight; the scenery’s best there, but it’s rural with nothing to buy.’

‘Let’s eat and pick up some souvenirs here in the city first.’

Xie Bingran: ‘Okay!’

Xu Chen: ‘You must be starving, little foodie; let’s get you fed!’

Lunch was simple; they found a local eatery in the Ancient Town.

It was mostly various mushrooms and fresh fish from Erhai.

Everything tasted fresh, and neither of them tired of it.

…

After eating, they wandered the Ancient Town.

Xie Bingran spotted several coffee shops and asked curiously:

‘I only know coffee from South America or abroad; how come there are so many here in Yunnan?’

Xu Chen: ‘Yunnan’s coffee is top-notch; ‘small grain coffee’ is a specialty.’

‘The latitude and climate here are ideal for growing it; the yield and quality rival South America or Hawaii.’

‘It’s just not mass-produced or marketed well, so it’s not as well-known.’

As someone reborn, Xu Chen knew that in a decade or so, Yunnan’s coffee would gain more recognition—like Starbucks sourcing it and local brands rising.

Xie Bingran blinked her big eyes:

‘You seem to know everything; whatever I ask, you have an answer…’

Xu Chen put on a smug face, full of pride.

‘Let’s get some flower cakes, small grain coffee, Puer tea—specialties to send back.’

‘You should get some for your teammates and coach too.’

Xie Bingran: ‘Okay.’

Xu Chen: ‘Then we’ll buy some veggies…’

Xie Bingran: ‘Veggies?’

Xu Chen: ‘I booked a guesthouse by Erhai…’

‘We can buy ingredients and cook for ourselves tonight and tomorrow!’

Xie Bingran paused.

In her heart, she silently echoed: ‘Home?’