Chapter 433: Unexpected Homecoming
by xennovelPudong Airport Arrival Hall.
Xu Chen pulled out his phone and snapped a few photos of the newly launched ‘Rancho Santa Fe’ project posters.
Xie Bingran tilted her head back, gazing at the looping ads…
Though she didn’t fully understand them, she still felt her man was incredibly impressive.
…
Xu Chen smiled at Xie Bingran:
“Which line of copy do you like?”
Xie Bingran blinked her big eyes and studied them closely:
“Once you’ve walked the red carpet so much, you start dreaming of cobblestone paths…”
Xu Chen grinned happily:
“Bing Ge has more international red carpets ahead…
“This is just the beginning.”
…
Xu Chen sent one of the photos he’d just taken to Wang Shi’s secretary, Zhou Kai.
[Congratulations on the project launch—I spotted it right at the airport!]
Zhou Kai replied quickly:
[Our boss Wang Shi is on a business trip in Beijing and saw it at the Capital Airport today too…]
[The boss loves it and even shared it in the company group chat.]
[And there’s the Jeep ad with you and Xie Bingran—he spotted that at the airport in Beijing and bragged about it in the group too!]
Xu Chen seized the moment to casually remind:
[Hey, about those photos of Xie Bingran giving shoes to Wang Shi and Yu Liang—send them over when Kevin has time!]
Xu Chen wanted those photos to prepare for the ‘Ran Bing 001’ promotion.
[Sure, Xu, I’ll handle that!
[Our boss is picky about his image, so the photos need some touch-ups.]
[I’ll get them to you within the week.]
[Great, thanks Kevin!
[Also, any updates on the Sanya Marathon arrangements at the end of January? Keep me in the loop.]
[No problem!]
Xu Chen wasn’t particularly interested in the marathon; he cared more about Wang Shi and Yu Liang wearing ‘Ran Bing 001’ for the event.
It was crucial for keeping ‘Ran Bing 001’ popular and boosting the next sales wave.
Though Xu Chen had built a solid relationship with Wang Shi and they were quite familiar, he didn’t want to nag or pressure the business tycoon directly.
It was better to have Secretary Zhou Kai handle it discreetly.
…
Xu Chen replied to messages while walking with Xie Bingran toward the exit.
Right near the exit, he spotted the Jeep ad in person.
More precisely, it was a Jeep display booth set up at Pudong Airport.
The massive backdrop featured huge posters of Xie Bingran and Wang Shi.
In front of the backdrop stood a black Grand Cherokee and a yellow Wrangler…
“Not every Jeep is a real Jeep.”
The slogan was crafted in 3D text, looking stylish and elegant.
The booth was eye-catching, with a crowd gathering to take photos and selfies.
A few young people even posed in front of Xie Bingran’s poster, throwing up yeah signs and snapping pics with ‘Bing Ge’…
Xu Chen found it amusing and glanced at Xie Bingran beside him, wearing a baseball cap and mask.
Those fans had no idea their idol Bing Ge was just a few steps away.
Xu Chen thought it was hilarious.
He pulled Xie Bingran over to her massive poster and took a bunch of photos of her.
…
They grabbed the car from the parking lot and soon hit the highway, heading toward the city.
After driving a Toyota Land Cruiser for a few days, Xu Chen noticed the clear differences in handling the Grand Cherokee.
American and Japanese cars have distinct styles in suspension and engine tuning.
Plus, his own car was the V8 top model, which outpowered the rented Land Cruiser by a mile.
Xie Bingran turned to Xu Chen:
“You seem to really enjoy driving.”
Xu Chen: “Most guys do, I think. My dad loves it too.
Even though Li Rui drives for him, Dad takes the wheel himself when he hasn’t been drinking, especially for site visits…”
Xu Chen glanced at Xie Bingran:
“Bing Ge should get a driver’s license—bet you’d look cool behind the wheel.”
Xie Bingran: “Oh.”
…
Around eight in the evening, Xu Chen drove straight into Tonghai University.
He parked in the lot behind the Southwest Building and said:
“I’ll just run up and grab my stuff. Bing Ge, want to come or wait in the car?”
Xie Bingran had already unbuckled her seatbelt:
“I’ll wait for you downstairs at your dorm.”
……
Xu Chen went to the trunk and grabbed a box of flower cakes.
Since he was heading back to the dorm, he figured he’d share some with his roommates.
The ones mailed from Kun City hadn’t arrived yet—probably tomorrow or the day after.
……
Downstairs at the Southwest Building dorm.
Bing Ge sat on a bench outside.
With her baseball cap on and hands in her pockets, her long legs stood out, giving off a tough and cool vibe.
Xu Chen couldn’t help thinking that Bing Ge’s killer aura was something he should try to pick up.
“Stay put and wait right here.”
“Oh.”
……
In dorm 3103, as soon as Xu Chen walked in, Hong Xiaoqiang jumped up with a grin, saying, “Congrats, Boss Xu.”
Chen Wenyi and Jiao Tianbo quickly stood too, acting all serious.
Xu Chen didn’t play modest; he opened the box of flower cakes first:
“These are from Kun City—give them a try.
I’ve got another box coming; we’ll share it with the class in a day or two!”
“Thanks, Boss Xu!”
……
Even the guys from the next dorm overheard and crowded in—Qian Xin, Huang Hao, and the others.
They bombarded Xu Chen with excited questions, offering congratulations left and right.
They thought he’d just gone to Kun City for the ‘University Advertising Competition’ award, but hearing he also won the industry ‘Great Wall Award’ left them impressed and surprised.
Xu Chen brushed off the praise, handed out flower cakes, and said with a smile:
“I’m treating everyone tomorrow night—pick any spot!”
“You’re the man, Boss Xu! Let’s drink up!”
……
Xu Chen headed downstairs quickly—his rich companion was waiting.
At the bench, Xie Bingran was gone.
Xu Chen muttered a soft ‘hmm’ and scanned around.
In the distance at Music Square, he spotted Xie Bingran in her baseball cap chatting with a petite girl.
It was Su Rong…
Xu Chen felt a bit exasperated—these two had gotten so chummy.
They were sneaking in secret meetups whenever they could.
……
Xu Chen tightened his backpack strap and walked over with a grin.
“You two look pretty cozy,” he teased.
Su Rong saw Xu Chen approach and gave a sweet, adorable smile, but ducked behind Xie Bingran.
She really played up the damsel-in-distress vibe.
Su Rong must have just come from her dorm, wearing fluffy pink loungewear with her hair in cute twin braids.
“Bing Ge, I should head out…”
Su Rong looked at Xie Bingran, her eyes full of reluctant affection.
Xie Bingran gave her a cool smile:
“Go on. I’ll visit when I have time!”
“……”
Xu Chen felt like he was watching a lovey-dovey display, and it left him with mixed feelings.
Su Rong stuck out her tongue playfully at Bing Ge, smiled sweetly, and dashed off.
……
Xu Chen eyed Xie Bingran and narrowed his eyes:
“You two hiding some secret?”
Xie Bingran seemed to dodge the question, saying coolly, “Nothing like that.”
Xu Chen noticed her hand stayed in her pocket and added:
“What’s in your pocket? Some keepsake from the girl?”
Xie Bingran glanced at Xu Chen, looking a bit unhappy.
Xu Chen leaned in and felt through her clothes, actually touching something.
He was just bluffing at first, but hit the jackpot.
Xu Chen waited for her to fess up.
Xie Bingran finally looked embarrassed and pulled her hand out obediently.
Xu Chen peeked and almost laughed out loud.
In Bing Ge’s hand were two adorable cartoon name tags.
One was clearly of Xu Chen himself, the other of him and Xie Bingran together.
“So, your little secret before New Year’s was making these?”
Xie Bingran looked sheepish:
“I saw the one she made before and thought it was cute, so I asked her to make these two.”
The ‘one before’ was the cartoon Bing Ge name tag Su Rong had on her backpack.
She’d shown it to Bing Ge during the Doha games…
Xu Chen hadn’t expected Xie Bingran to have Su Rong make one of him and one of them together.
Xie Bingran pursed her lips and smiled.
She fished around in her pocket and pulled out another couple’s name tag:
“I had Su Rong make two of these—one for you!”
Xu Chen’s heart softened, and he gently pinched Xie Bingran’s cheek.
……
Back in the car.
Xu Chen started the engine: “First, let’s get you fed. Anything Bing Ge wants?”
Xie Bingran: “I’m not picky.”
She ignored him and turned to grab two backpacks from the rear seat.
She hung the two name tags on her backpack and the couple’s one on Xu Chen’s.
After checking it out, she smiled, satisfied.
……
Xu Chen picked a restaurant serving codfish—besides the fried cod, he ordered a salad and a pizza.
As he dug in, Xie Bingran was busy replying to messages on her phone.
“Is that Su Rong again?” Xu Chen teased.
Xie Bingran: “No, it’s Coach Cheng. She’s confirming my return time for tomorrow.”
Xu Chen: “I’ve brought Bing Ge back safe and sound, so she’ll be ready first thing tomorrow.”
Xie Bingran: “Coach Cheng wants to go over the upcoming schedule with me in the afternoon.
Besides training, there are ad shoot slots and plans for heading back to Shandong Province.”
The ad shoots were probably for Louis Vuitton and Head & Shoulders—big projects.
Bing Ge’s return to Shandong Province involved a series of events after the Asian Games.
Of course, she’d also go back to Tiancheng for awards, media meetups, and to claim that new house reward.
Xu Chen: “Do you have the details yet?”
Xie Bingran: “Not yet. Coach Cheng said we’d chat briefly, then follow the team’s plans.”
Xu Chen: “Let me know once your schedule’s set.”
Xie Bingran: “Sure!”
She paused: “Your company’s busy too—you don’t have to adjust for me.
A lot of my events are pretty boring anyway.”
Xu Chen smiled: “I might not tag along, but as your guardian, I need to know your itinerary.”
Xie Bingran: “When did you become my guardian?”
Xu Chen: “I’ve been feeding and taking care of you since middle school, so of course I’m your guardian!”
Xie Bingran: “……”
……
Around nine at night.
Xu Chen accompanied Xie Bingran back to the Athletes’ Apartment at Xin Zhuang Base.
Bing Ge needed to drop off her luggage and grab some clean clothes.
As they reached the building, they ran into a group of athletes returning from training.
The mix of men and women spotted Bing Ge and quickly bowed their heads in respectful greetings: “Hello, Bing Ge.”
Bing Ge responded with her signature cool nod.
Xu Chen found the scene familiar.
It was just like back at Tiancheng No. 1 High School when Li Rui, Fang Tao, and Cheng Yong saw Bing Ge.
Once the group passed, Xu Chen joked:
“Bing Ge’s the boss wherever she goes.”
Xie Bingran brushed him off with a cool: “Wait here for me.”
Xu Chen chuckled: “Say hi to Bai Miao for me.”
……
……
……
Near Xin Zhuang Base, there weren’t many top hotels.
Gu Xinxi had booked a three-and-a-half-star spot called ‘Quanfeng Hotel’.
It was just a short walk from the base, making it easy to drop Xie Bingran off tomorrow.
Xu Chen left his car parked on the street outside Xin Zhuang Base.
They walked over to the hotel.
Xu Chen noticed Xie Bingran’s quiet mood and said:
“Did someone upset Bing Ge?
You look down.”
Xie Bingran turned to him, her eyes showing a hint of sadness:
“You’re leaving tomorrow…”
Xu Chen’s heart melted.
So it was about saying goodbye.
“You’re heading to the provincial capital soon, and then back to Tiancheng.
I’ll definitely be there too!”
Xie Bingran smiled:
“Great, you can have the new house keys then.”
……
The hotel was only three-and-a-half stars, but Gu Xinxi had snagged a spacious suite.
After showers, they settled comfortably in bed, holding each other.
Xie Bingran nestled in Xu Chen’s arms like a well-behaved, vulnerable puppy.
Maybe dreading tomorrow’s farewell, she clung to him with a pitiful expression.
Xu Chen breathed in the nice scent of her hair and gently stroked the back of her head.
……
In that moment.
Xu Chen yelped suddenly and flinched.
Someone had playfully pinched his sensitive spot.
“Don’t start something…
Or I might just go with it.”
Xie Bingran looked up at him, her face flushed red.
She bit her lip with a mischievous grin and snuggled deeper into his embrace.
Xu Chen felt a mix of irritation and temptation, sliding his hand down her back.
But she blocked it firmly.
“This is so unfair! Is this even living?”
……