Chapter 451: Gathering in Tiancheng

In front of Xu Zhiquan, everyone seated was just the younger generation.

As President Xu entered the room, they all stood up, calling him ‘President Xu’ or ‘Uncle Xu’.

Xu Zhiquan laughed heartily and quickly gestured for everyone to sit, then took a seat next to his son Xu Chen.

Over the past couple of days, Old Xu and Xie Bingran had already met.

In fact, earlier that day, Bing Ge had an event where Xu Zhiquan attended as a representative of Tiancheng’s outstanding entrepreneurs.

Tiancheng was just a small place with few notable figures.

In that circle, Xu Zhiquan from the business world and Xie Bingran from sports were naturally among them.

Xu Zhiquan especially greeted Su Rong, as the daughter of the Su family was visiting Tiancheng for the first time.

Though Su Rong had met Old Xu in Shanghai, she still felt shy and awkward, half-hiding behind Bing Ge.

Luckily, Old Xu was kind and warm with the younger ones, and a few words eased the distance.

The father and son had no need for small talk.

Xu Zhiquan reached out with a strong hand and squeezed Xu Chen’s shoulder, showing his longing and deep affection.

Xu Chen rummaged in his bag and pulled out a red can of a certain sea product from the capital.

“I brought this from the capital; there are two more on the way.”

Old Xu took it with a broad smile, his face lighting up.

“I’ll gladly accept it.”

The food arrived.

Mostly young people, the atmosphere was relaxed and casual, so Xu Zhiquan skipped any formal welcomes.

With Xie Bingran and Su Rong there, Old Xu felt a bit restrained about drinking.

But Fang Jun had already opened a bottle of Guojiao and poured a glass for Old Xu.

So the two of them focused on toasting each other and drinking, ignoring the rest.

Bing Ge and Su Rong sat together, happily eating. They were now savoring the signature braised turtle, thoroughly enjoying it.

Xu Chen, however, was left alone, feeling a bit speechless about it.

…

Fang Jun raised his glass, glanced at Xie Bingran and Su Rong, then at Xu Chen, and asked flatly,

“Where are you staying tonight?”

Su Rong mumbled with a mouthful of tender turtle meat,

“I’m crashing in Bing Ge’s room!”

Her tone carried a hint of pride.

Fang Jun narrowed his eyes and glanced at Xu Chen.

Xu Chen acted like he hadn’t heard, focusing on his food in silence.

Fang Jun smirked, grabbed a small glass, poured some liquor, and handed it to Su Rong:

“Didn’t you say you wanted to drink?”

Su Rong paused, her round eyes darting as if checking with the ‘adult’ beside her.

She then lit up with cute excitement and took the glass.

…

Xu Chen asked about Bing Ge’s schedule for the next day.

In the morning, Bing Ge had a closed seminar in the city, attended by major leaders and key figures in Tiancheng’s culture and sports.

Lunch was a hosted meal arranged by the city.

Originally, dinner tonight was also planned by the city, but Xie Bingran knew Xu Chen was returning and managed to decline it.

In the afternoon, Bing Ge had more events, all at the City Sports University.

One was a closed training exchange with Tiancheng’s top athletes and students, the other a semi-public interaction with students and media.

“Is Coach Cheng Hong not here?” Xu Chen asked.

Xie Bingran: “This time, Coach Liu came along. She’s at the City Sports Bureau reception tonight.”

Xu Chen knew Coach Liu well; they’d met several times.

She was the assistant coach with wheat-colored skin, Liu Shengnan.

After a few drinks from Fang Jun, Su Rong showed signs of tipsiness, her plump little face flushing red.

She suddenly remembered something and excitedly asked,

“Has Bing Ge’s wedding house been handed over?”

Xu Chen: “…”

Xu Zhiquan: “?”

Xie Bingran felt a bit embarrassed but replied,

“The house has been handed over. I’ll take you all to see it tomorrow…”

Su Rong beamed: “Great!”

Fang Jun seemed to know some inside details about this housing reward and shared some background.

Apparently, the city had set up these reward homes for outstanding talents in academia, sports, and other fields.

The one given to Asian Games champion Xie Bingran was the first official announcement of this program.

Bing Ge’s house was among the best in the batch.

The neighborhood mostly housed Tiancheng’s mid-to-high-end residents, like professors from the local university and colleges, as well as civil servants…

“You can’t even buy those houses if you want to.”

Fang Jun raised his glass and congratulated Bing Ge again.

…

Bing Ge’s morning and afternoon activities were closed, so Xu Chen and Su Rong couldn’t join.

Su Rong pouted, looking unhappy.

Fang Jun: “I’ll take you out. Where do you want to go?”

Su Rong thought for a moment: “I heard you have a new park?”

Xu Zhiquan chuckled: “It’s still a big construction site! Nothing like Wanrong Materials’ park.”

Su Rong: “I want to see it!”

Fang Jun: “Alright, I’ll take you both tomorrow!”

Xu Chen looked at his father Xu Zhiquan:

“Is Fourth Uncle and Maternal Uncle at home? I’ll go visit them.”

Xu Zhiquan: “Your Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt are in the township, not home…

Go see your Maternal Uncle. He just moved back to the old factory in town this month.”

Xu Chen: “Not at the West of the City seedling base anymore?”

Xu Zhiquan: “He shuttles between both places. He’s at the old factory this month.”

When Old Xu mentioned Zhang Yongqing, he grinned:

“Besides messing with seedlings, your Maternal Uncle’s now raising a bunch of cats and dogs.

He’s turned it into a plant garden and an animal sanctuary!”

Xu Chen: “I really need to check that out!”

Su Rong perked up instantly:

“Cats and dogs? I want to see too!”

Xu Zhiquan: “Country cats and dogs are all dirty; you might not like them.”

Su Rong: “I don’t care; I want to see!”

Xu Chen: “Alright, I’ll take you.”

…

…

After the meal and drinks.

Li Rui and Fang Tao arrived in separate cars.

Xu Chen helped his father Xu Zhiquan, while Xie Bingran assisted Fang Jun and Su Rong.

Li Rui and Fang Tao, smoking at the door, quickly came over.

Old Xu got into the Odyssey van, with Li Rui as the driver.

With year-end busyness, Old Xu had been staying at the park lately.

Wu Yue had set up a resting bedroom for President Xu in the comprehensive building…

Fang Jun settled into his Audi, and Xu Chen handed the keys to Fang Tao.

“Don’t worry, Xu Chen, I’ve driven Fang Jun home many times.”

Xu Chen shook his head helplessly.

From the tone, Fang Jun often ended up drunk.

Fang Tao had driven over in Old Xu’s black Accord, so he passed the keys to Xu Chen.

Su Rong’s flushed face showed she was yawning as she climbed into the car with Bing Ge.

…

Xie Bingran’s hotel was arranged by the city, right next to the old city government—top notch in Tiancheng.

Xu Chen started the car and headed toward the hotel.

From the back seat came soft snoring; Su Rong had dozed off in Bing Ge’s arms.

“Su Rong snores like a little kitten,” Xu Chen joked.

Xie Bingran gazed out the window and suddenly asked,

“Is the office here still open?”

Xu Chen glanced over and realized they were right by Jinfeng Business Tower.

The 8th-floor office was where East Morning Star Co., Chenxin Nurseries, Chenfeng Technology, and East Morning Star Advertising all started.

He remembered that one night, when they couldn’t find a hotel, they crashed there with Bing Ge.

“It’s still here! Now it’s basically Chenxin Nurseries’ headquarters.

My dad prefers handling seedling business talks from there.

Plus, Fang Jun separated the accounts; Chenxin’s books are all kept here.”

Xie Bingran blinked her big eyes:

“I really like this place.”

“I know.”

Xu Chen said with a smile.

“Bing Ge free the day after tomorrow? Before your flight, I can show you around.”

Xie Bingran: “Yeah.”

Xu Chen: “It’s rare for Bing Ge to be back in Tiancheng. Anywhere you want to go?”

Xie Bingran thought: “I heard Fang Jun mention a street in town called East Morning Star Street?”

Xu Chen: “That road was funded by my dad; they named it East Morning Star Street afterward.

It should be finished now. I want to see it too.”

Xie Bingran: “Sounds good!”

Xu Chen: “It’s where the old town commercial street was. That’s where I bought your first pair of running shoes!”

Xie Bingran blinked: “Oh…”

Xu Chen looked back; Su Rong was curled up like a sleepy kitten in Xie Bingran’s arms.

“Too bad we have this tagalong.”

Xie Bingran: “Tagalong? Sounds like our kid…”

She realized it sounded off and cleared her throat awkwardly.

Xu Chen burst out laughing, thrilled.

…

…

Half an hour later, in the hotel room.

The hotel had heating, so it was comfortably warm without the AC.

Xu Chen had showered, opened a bottle of red wine, and turned on the TV.

This Bordeaux red was from Old Xu’s car—a perk from his dad.

Old Xu didn’t favor red wine, so the trunk ones were for guests—top-shelf stuff.

Xu Chen took a sip and nodded approvingly.

It was rich and smooth, with a gentle tannin bite.

…

A knock came at the door.

Xu Chen set down his glass, grinning as he opened it.

There stood his cherished little rich girl.

He pulled Xie Bingran into his arms.

“I haven’t showered yet.”

Xu Chen: “I don’t mind.”

He gazed at her hungrily and kissed her.

“Is the little kitten asleep?”

“Yeah…”

“Fang Jun’s smart; she got the kitten drunk early.”

“Let me shower first.”

“Fine, I want to savor you fresh…”

…

…

The next morning.

When Xu Chen woke, Xie Bingran was already gone.

He felt grumpy waking up and buried his face in the pillow, catching her faint scent…

At the breakfast buffet, he ran into assistant coach Liu Shengnan.

Xu Chen greeted her politely: “Good morning, Coach Liu!”

Liu Shengnan knew Xu Chen well, so they grabbed breakfast together, chatting.

They learned Coach Liu was from the north but visiting Tiancheng for the first time.

“Shame you’re here so briefly; I can’t show you around,” Xu Chen said.

Liu Shengnan: “No need to be formal. I’m swamped this trip; I couldn’t join anyway… There’ll be other chances.”

Xu Chen: “Absolutely! Next time, my dad and I will host you properly!”

Liu Shengnan:

“Bing Ge’s events end today. Tomorrow morning and noon, you can spend more time with her.”

Xu Chen: “Do you have plans tomorrow? I can have the company arrange a tour.”

Liu Shengnan: “I’ve got a coaches’ exchange at the City Sports Bureau. Don’t trouble yourselves.”

As they talked, Xie Bingran and Su Rong entered the restaurant.

Xie Bingran wore her national team tracksuit with a light down jacket over it, a small national flag on the chest.

She needed the team outfit for today’s events.

“What a spread for breakfast!” Su Rong eyed the full buffet, her foodie side showing.

A few minutes later, at the window table.

Xu Chen got a bowl of red date millet porridge, some northern dumplings, and of course, youtiao and soy milk.

Bing Ge’s plate had more protein—four boiled eggs alone.

Liu Shengnan ate while briefing Bing Ge on the morning schedule.

Xie Bingran was eating when she glanced at the TV nearby.

Liu Shengnan looked over and smiled: “Lan Jie’s ad is airing!”

Xu Chen frowned slightly at the screen.

The TV was muted, showing just the visuals.

It was an ad for Sanlu milk powder, featuring Xie Bingran’s senior from the national track team, this Asian Games silver medalist Chen Lan.

Xu Chen stayed silent, but inside, he felt a chill.

Sanlu had originally wanted Xie Bingran for the endorsement, but Xu Chen had firmly declined and discussed it with Director Li Yue.

Now, with the gold medalist out, they’d gone for the silver…

As someone who’d lived through it before, Xu Chen knew the storm Sanlu would face.

But for his own sake, he couldn’t tip his hand early—it was too risky.

In the past, Sanlu’s scandal broke thanks to pushes from New Zealand…

Su Rong watched the ad and asked,

“Why didn’t they get Bing Ge? They went for the silver medalist instead…”

She quickly figured it out and laughed: “Must be because Bing Ge’s fees are too high!”