Chapter 453: Champion’s New Home

Sports University.

Midway through the event, a group of leaders showed up.

Xu Chen glanced at some familiar faces and quickly stood to greet them.

Among them were Director Feng Siliang from the City Publicity Department and Secretary Xia Gang, along with Director Gao Guangya from the City Sports Bureau.

The leaders were enthusiastic when they saw Xu Chen and introduced another official—Wang Hui, the deputy director of the City Education Bureau—for him to meet.

Xie Bingran’s hometown trip involved not just the post-Asian Games awards but also setting up two scholarships in her name.

The whole event was a joint effort by the Sports Bureau, Education Bureau, and Publicity Department.

While Xu Chen chatted with the leaders, Su Rong watched from afar and couldn’t help whispering to Fang Jun beside her:

“Xu Chen is so impressive…”

Fang Jun kept a straight face, unfazed:

“That’s just how Young Xu Chen is.”

……

By late afternoon around four, Bing Ge’s event schedule wrapped up smoothly.

After seeing off the city leaders, assistant coach Liu Shengnan handed Bing Ge over to Xu Chen.

“Don’t miss the flight tomorrow.”

Xu Chen assured her seriously: “Don’t worry, Coach Liu, I’ll get Bing Ge back on time!”

With the venue clearing out, Fang Jun and Su Rong came over.

Su Rong clung to Bing Ge like a cute little accessory.

Bing Ge clearly enjoyed Su Rong’s company, holding her small hand with a sweet, affectionate look.

……

They all piled into Xu Chen’s car, and Fang Jun showed a hint of anticipation:

“Are we heading to check out your new place?”

Xu Chen: “……”

Su Rong: “Yes!”

……

West of the city was the ‘New District,’ where Tiancheng’s main urban area expanded westward, hosting the new municipal and commercial centers.

Rumor had it a major comprehensive mall was coming, though Tiancheng residents didn’t know which one yet.

Having been reborn, Xu Chen already knew it would be Wanda, built in a few years.

As a third-tier city, Tiancheng attracting Wanda to the new western area highlighted its future potential.

The house awarded to Xie Bingran had its keys, cards, and paperwork handed over during the recent awards ceremony by the developer’s rep.

But this was Bing Ge’s first visit.

She wasn’t familiar with the route, yet Fang Jun seemed to know it well, guiding Xu Chen through the turns into the neighborhood.

“Tiansheng Mansion” was the community’s name.

At the gate, a security guard approached with a registration book.

Xie Bingran pulled a community card from her bag and showed it to him.

The guard politely saluted:

“Welcome home! You can park in the underground garage or the surface lot.”

……

“Wow! This is beautiful!” Su Rong said, peering out the window with excitement.

The area had high-rises and smaller multi-story homes.

Bing Ge’s place was on the sixth floor of a smaller multi-story building, right in the prime spot.

“How do you know all this so well, Fang Jun?”

Fang Jun replied casually:

“I heard it from Wu Yongming.”

Su Rong: “Who’s Wu Yongming?”

Xu Chen: “Wu Feifei’s dad.”

Su Rong: “Wu Feifei’s dad… isn’t he a big official?”

She blinked, piecing it together, and realized how understated Fang Jun’s sister was.

……

……

The community seemed newly handed over, with few residents yet.

Xu Chen parked near the entrance, and they walked in, taking time to explore.

The place was stunning, with low density, great greenery, and a peaceful vibe.

The buildings had a French-style design, with smaller windows for good privacy.

Xu Chen felt happy for Xie Bingran and smiled as he moved closer to her.

The ‘prime spot’ was among the buildings nearest the community’s center.

It was away from the road for quiet, facing the landscaped gardens with amazing balcony views.

Fang Jun pointed first:

“That one!”

This section featured the best smaller multi-story homes in the community.

The property management had planned a welcome for the Asian Games champion, but the City Publicity Department stepped in to stop it.

Official promotions were one thing, but developer involvement could imply commercial ties, which wasn’t appropriate.

For Bing Ge, as a celebrity, keeping her living spot private was a plus.

The seven-story building had Bing Ge’s unit on the sixth floor, just below the top.

Stepping out of the elevator revealed a one-unit-per-floor layout.

That meant less neighborly interference, which was ideal.

Given Bing Ge’s personality, she probably wouldn’t want much interaction with eager neighbors anyway.

Bing Ge rummaged in her bag and pulled out the front door key.

Pushing open the thick, dark brown door, they entered the spacious living area.

“Wow! It’s huge!”

“So roomy, and the lighting is perfect!”

“Congratulations, Bing Ge, this place is amazing!”

“It must be at least 140 or 150 square meters?”

……

Four bedrooms, two living rooms, two bathrooms—every space felt generous.

Xu Chen roughly estimated it was more than 140 or 150 square meters.

He’d thought it was just around 100 square meters, but the city’s reward was bigger than expected.

Then again, for an Asian Games gold medalist, it made sense.

Fang Jun said:

“The units for sale here are all bare, but the rewarded ones come fully furnished.”

Su Rong was thrilled, seeming happier than if she’d gotten the house herself.

With Su Rong and Fang Jun heading to the balcony, Xu Chen took the chance to hold Xie Bingran’s hand:

“Congratulations, Bing Ge, on your first property!”

Xie Bingran didn’t speak but fished the door key from her pocket and passed it to Xu Chen.

Xu Chen weighed it in his hand and smiled:

“During the break, I’ll get the appliances and furniture sorted for you.”

Xie Bingran: “If you buy them, I’ll pay you back!”

Xu Chen: “That sounds too formal. I’ll handle it anyway, and I’ll be staying here too—it’s our ‘wedding home.'”

Xie Bingran pursed her lips and smiled happily.

When Fang Jun and Su Rong returned, Fang Jun looked a bit disappointed.

“What’s wrong?” Xu Chen asked.

Fang Jun: “This finished decor is too perfect; it leaves no room for my ideas.”

Xu Chen: “I’ll need your help with the soft furnishings, so I’ll ask you to oversee that!”

Fang Jun’s face lit up with a smile:

“Deal! You said it!”

Xu Chen checked the kitchen, twisting on the gas stove to see the flame:

“Since we’re moving in today, let’s cook something up!”

Su Rong: “Cook?”

Xu Chen: “We’ll grab some groceries and get pots and pans—let’s make hot pot right here!”

Su Rong: “Sounds fun!”

Fang Jun: “There’s a market nearby; I’ll lead the way!”

……

……

Half an hour later, the hot pot was bubbling.

Fresh ingredients from the market, plus the soup base recipe Xu Chen learned from his father Xu Zhiquan.

No table or chairs yet, so they set bowls on the counter and dug in.

Everyone held their bowls, eating with gusto.

Su Rong’s cheeks puffed as she said happily:

“Hanging with Young Xu Chen is always a blast!”

Fang Jun had gone down to the car and returned with wine.

Su Rong beamed, holding a small cup filled to the brim.

As Xu Chen served Xie Bingran some food, he brought up work:

“We still have that ad for Chenfeng Ice Power to shoot. Your schedule was too tight this time, so we didn’t set it up.

It’s planned for early February, when you’re doing the Head & Shoulders ad—we can use their studio then.

It won’t take long, maybe an hour or two tops.”

Xie Bingran: “Okay.”

Su Rong: “Is it in Shanghai? I want to come along!”

Xu Chen: “School break starts in February—aren’t you going home?”

Su Rong thought for a second: “I don’t care; I’m going!”

“……”

Xu Chen remembered something else and said:

“Sanlu reached out to Senior Chen Lan—I didn’t see that coming.

But the ad’s already out, so there’s no stopping it now.”

Xie Bingran:

“They wanted her originally. Since I passed, it went back to her.

Another sports brand went her way too because I declined.”

Xu Chen frowned: “I see…”

This reminded him of the major investor lurking in the sports world, Anrui Investment.

After Bing Ge’s Asian Games win, brands like Adidas, Anta, and Li Ning had talked to Director Li Yue, but they all got rejected due to Ran Bing Sports.

He wondered which one signed Senior Chen Lan.

Maybe Anrui Investment was pulling strings behind the scenes.

Su Rong laughed: “Senior Chen Lan should thank Bing Ge—the endorsements she has are ones Bing Ge turned down.”

Xu Chen: “If Senior Chen Lan heard that, she’d probably be annoyed.”

Su Rong: “It’s the truth!”

Fang Jun, munching a mushroom: “President Xu messaged me about your departure time tomorrow.”

Xu Chen: “We’ll need to catch the flight after lunch…”

He paused: “Why didn’t he ask me directly?”

Fang Jun: “Let’s have lunch with President Xu tomorrow at the company cafeteria.

He’s out with clients today and couldn’t make it.”

Xu Chen: “Sounds good.”

……

……

That evening, at the hotel.

Su Rong had a few drinks from Fang Jun and was soon sound asleep in her room.

Xu Chen and Xie Bingran got her settled before stepping out.

Xu Chen couldn’t help muttering:

“It’s like looking after a kid…”

Xie Bingran didn’t respond and snuggled into his arms.

……

The cold weather made it perfect for staying bundled under the warm covers.

Xu Chen held Xie Bingran close, kissing her for a long time until he pulled back reluctantly.

But Xie Bingran wasn’t done; she leaned in for more.

“Testing my self-control again…” Xu Chen said as she kissed him.

Xie Bingran smiled happily and kept going.

……

“Tomorrow, I’ll drive you around the town,” Xu Chen said, tracing her cheek with his finger.

“And we’ll swing by South River Village on the way…”

She nestled deeper into his embrace.

Xu Chen knew Bing Ge probably wanted to visit her grandmother’s grave.

He agreed and held her tighter.

Xie Bingran looked up at him, her eyes full of affection.

She leaned in for another kiss.

……

……

The next morning.

When Xu Chen reached the breakfast area, Bing Ge and Su Rong were already there, sitting by the window and eating sweetly.

They looked so cozy, almost feeding each other.

Xu Chen grabbed his food and sat quietly next to Bing Ge.

Local breakfasts had a special charm—even the same soy milk and fritters tasted more authentic here than in the south.

“Where are we headed today?” Su Rong asked, full of excitement.

She had her hair in twin braids and wore that white puffer with cat ears on the hood—utterly adorable.

……

……

Xu Chen drove, with Xie Bingran and Su Rong in the back.

Su Rong leaned on Bing Ge again, and from the rearview mirror, Xu Chen just shook his head.

As they neared South River Village, Xie Bingran rolled down the window, letting in the cool air mixed with mist from the river.

It was the scent of home.

The car didn’t enter the village but stopped by the graveyard along the riverbank.

“Wait here for me.”

Xie Bingran said softly.

Su Rong, not quite understanding, started to get up to follow.

But Bing Ge was already out of the car.

She gently pressed Su Rong’s head back down:

“Stay put.”

Su Rong blinked and said “Okay,” flashing a sweet smile as she settled in.

……

A few minutes later, Bing Ge returned with her hands in her pockets.

Once she was back in the car, Xu Chen asked:

“Want to stop by your house?”

Xie Bingran shook her head: “No…”

……

“East Morning Star Street” was short, just over 300 meters, right in the heart of the town.

It started as a big market in the 80s and 90s, turning into a commercial area after 2000.

The old bumpy road got a makeover thanks to Xu Zhiquan’s sponsorship, and it was renamed East Morning Star Street.

The three wandered along.

Su Rong looked around, puzzled about why they were there.

She spotted the “East Morning Star Street” sign and it clicked.

“Xu Chen, your family is amazing—having a whole street named after you!”

Xu Chen: “It’s not ours; it’s public property.

My dad just funded the road repairs, and the town named it that way.”

They walked further and reached a cluster of sports brand stores.

Xu Chen pointed to a Nike shop and smiled at Xie Bingran.

It was where he bought her first pair of running shoes last year.

Curious, Bing Ge took Su Rong’s hand and went inside.

Xu Chen followed and saw the same middle-aged saleswoman as before.

“Welcome! Nike’s having an end-of-year sale on shoes and clothes—feel free to try anything…”

Xie Bingran and Su Rong browsed the store hand in hand, full of interest.

Xu Chen trailed behind, finding it all quite charming.

But the saleswoman recognized him:

“Hey, it’s you! Long time no see!”

Xu Chen: “You actually remember me.”

“Of course! You bought three pairs at once last time to check sizes—how could I forget…”

She thought for a moment and added with a smile:

“Where’s your girlfriend today?”

Xu Chen froze: “Ah?!”

“The girl who was with you last time…”

Xu Chen felt awkward.

It had been with Feng Qingqing before, and now the clerk thought she was his girlfriend.

He panicked inwardly and glanced at Xie Bingran.

Sure enough, he got a chilly stare…”