Chapter 454: Winter Reunions and Golden Glimpses

The weather was still a bit chilly.

After wandering the streets for a while, Su Rong’s little nose had turned red from the cold.

Xu Chen pointed to the side:

“There’s a bubble-tea shop over there. We can grab something hot and sit for a bit!”

Xie Bingran said flatly, “It’s not another place you went with your ‘girlfriend,’ is it?”

Xu Chen looked helpless: “I told you, that’s Feng Qingqing… Town Chief Feng arranged for me to tutor her back then…”

The bubble-tea shop was packed with people, mostly young folks—clearly students from the town on winter break.

As a southerner, Su Rong was freezing; she clutched a cup of hot milk tea, shivering as she held it.

Xie Bingran looked concerned and reached out to warm Su Rong’s small hands.

The sweet, affectionate scene made Xu Chen feel oddly uneasy.

He suddenly frowned, remembering a business opportunity.

After East Morning Star Advertising won the Great Wall Award, its influence grew, and several brand owners started reaching out.

One of them was the southern snack brand ‘Xi Zhi Lang’.

Xi Zhi Lang and East Morning Star Advertising were just in initial talks, without discussing specific ad needs yet.

During discussions, they mentioned wanting to collaborate on ‘new product promotion’ this year.

Xu Chen had already guessed that Xi Zhi Lang’s ‘new product’ was the ‘Youlemei’ milk tea they planned to launch and promote widely.

About two years ago, ‘Xiangpiaopiao’ burst onto the scene, pioneering the instant milk tea category in China and quickly dominating the market.

As a giant in snacks, Xi Zhi Lang naturally wanted a slice of that pie.

Having been reborn, Xu Chen knew that Xi Zhi Lang’s upcoming ‘Youlemei’ would grab a huge market share.

In his previous life, Youlemei’s spokesperson was Zhou Jielun.

“You’re my Youlemei” ad campaign was wildly popular and known to everyone.

Watching the cozy moment between Xie Bingran and Su Rong, Xu Chen got a mischievous idea.

Handing this ad to Bing Ge might not be a bad move.

After all, Bing Ge had plenty of female fans.

Their current loving interaction with Su Rong added just the right charm and tension.

Still, he needed to think it through carefully, especially the full persuasion strategy.

…

Leaving the bubble-tea shop, Xie Bingran held Su Rong’s hand and found a store selling wool items, buying her a thick scarf and cotton gloves.

Su Rong was bundled up completely, her eyes curving into happy crescents.

…

Since they were in the town, they decided to check out the middle school.

Xu Chen drove, and in no time, they arrived at the town middle school where he and Xie Bingran had studied.

Before even reaching the gate, they saw a large red banner hanging high.

“Congratulations to our graduate Xie Bingran on winning the Asian Games gold medal!”

Su Rong was thrilled:

“Wow! They even have a special banner!”

Xu Chen parked by the athletic field entrance, and the three wandered in through the side gate.

With winter in full swing, the weeds around the field had withered, and the dull gray track looked rundown and desolate.

Su Rong had never seen a cinder track before; it crunched underfoot, and she found it fascinating.

She hopped around on it like she was playing in snow.

Seeing Xie Bingran’s hands free, Xu Chen couldn’t resist taking her hand.

“Winning an Asian Games gold and coming back—gotta be full of emotions, right?” Xu Chen said with a smile.

Xie Bingran gazed at the barren field and replied:

“This field will get a rubber track upgrade this year.”

Xu Chen: “Oh?”

Xie Bingran: “I chipped in some money; the City Sports Bureau and Town Education Bureau covered the rest.”

Xu Chen gave a thumbs-up: “Bing Ge, you’re a legend!”

Xie Bingran seemed reflective:

“Snap a couple of photos for me. Next time I come back, this cinder track will be gone.”

Xu Chen chuckled and pulled out his phone.

He snapped a few shots, then pointed ahead: “Let’s check that out!”

In sight was a changing room by the field, also used for storage.

Last year, during that sudden downpour, they had dashed there in a panic…

Seeing Xu Chen and Xie Bingran head off, Su Rong, who was still playing on the cinder, hurried after them, her hat’s cat ears bouncing wildly.

When Xie Bingran posed for photos with the rundown changing room, Su Rong tilted her head in confusion.

She wondered what was so photo-worthy about that shabby little hut.

The door and lock on the changing room were new, so it wouldn’t open.

Xu Chen recalled how badass Bing Ge looked last year when she kicked that wooden door open.

…

After strolling around the field, they headed back to the car for the drive to the city.

Su Rong, the young girl, was still excited and a bit reluctant to leave.

Xu Chen remembered a snack alley behind the school, so he led Xie Bingran and Su Rong there.

They bought candied haws and roasted sweet potatoes.

Bing Ge and Su Rong shared a stick of candied haws, their cheeks puffed up cutely.

…

…

Back at the park by noon, it was mealtime.

Old Xu and Fang Jun had set up a gathering in the park’s cafeteria.

Xu Chen parked and took Xie Bingran and Su Rong to the second-floor private room, where it was packed.

It was full of Bing Ge’s buddies.

Seeing Xie Bingran and Xu Chen enter, they all stood up quickly, calling out “Bing Ge” and “Chen Ge”.

Su Rong clung to Bing Ge’s hand, hiding behind her and blinking nervously.

Xie Bingran turned and whispered, “It’s okay.”

Xu Zhiquan and Fang Jun, at the inner table, waved them over: “Come, sit here!”

The cafeteria chefs prepared the meal, and it was top-notch.

These were the old team from Bright Factory’s cafeteria—real skilled pros.

They usually handled big pots, but today they had a chance to shine.

With the boss hosting, the head chef pulled out all the stops.

Old Xu was in high spirits, using serving chopsticks to dish out food for Xie Bingran and Su Rong. Besides Fang Jun, Wu Yue was there too.

During the meal, brothers kept coming over, toasting Bing Ge with tea instead of alcohol, which made her a bit awkward.

She stood up and went to Zhao Feng and Li Rui’s table, raising her tea cup to toast each one, then took Li Rui’s lighter and lit cigarettes for everyone…

Su Rong’s cheeks were full as she watched Bing Ge, mumbling, “So Bing Ge is called Bing Ge because she really is Bing Ge…”

…

After lunch, the group headed downstairs.

Bing Ge joined her buddies, all chatting with arms around shoulders; she just listened quietly among them.

Fang Jun gave Su Rong a gift—a Chenfeng Technology year-end box.

Su Rong held it with both hands, delighted: “Thank you, Fang Jun!”

Fang Jun kept a straight face but looked a bit proud: “I designed the whole set.”

Xu Chen: “Why didn’t I get one?”

Fang Jun: “They’re scarce; not enough for gifts. I only had two—one for you, wait no, one for Bing Ge.”

Xu Chen: “…”

Wu Yue jumped in: “Suppliers are restocking; I saved one for Young Xu Chen! When you get back from break!”

Xu Chen: “Yue Jie, you’re the best!”

Fang Jun stepped up to Xu Chen and held out her hand.

“What?”

Fang Jun: “Give me a set of keys to the wedding home.”

Xu Chen: “Huh?”

Fang Jun: “I’ll have someone clean it up and plan the decor.”

Xu Chen smiled and pulled a set of keys from his pocket, handing them over.

Old Xu put out his cigarette: “I’ve been swamped lately and haven’t hosted you properly.”

Xu Chen: “I’ll be back in three weeks for break.”

Xu Zhiquan chuckled and patted his son’s shoulder.

…

…

They landed in Shanghai around 7 p.m.

Xu Chen planned to drive Xie Bingran back to Xin Zhuang Base and take Bing Ge’s gold medals to the company along the way.

He thought about dropping Su Rong at Tonghai University first, but she insisted on coming.

At Xin Zhuang Base, where Bing Ge stayed, Su Rong was full of curiosity, looking around.

They reached the Athletes’ Apartment downstairs after 6 p.m., and as a male visitor, Xu Chen couldn’t go in.

Su Rong could enter, and she was jumping with excitement.

Xu Chen waited downstairs for a few minutes before Xie Bingran and Su Rong came back.

Su Rong hugged her backpack tightly, looking like she was guarding treasure.

“Inside?” Xu Chen asked.

Su Rong glanced around: “Keep it down—this is gold medals; we don’t want eyes on it!”

Bing Ge walked Xu Chen and Su Rong to the car.

Xu Chen and Xie Bingran trailed behind, holding hands again.

…

The drive back to Tonghai University took nearly an hour; Su Rong sat in the back, clutching her backpack with a watchful expression that amused Xu Chen.

Once they took the elevator to the eighth floor of the company and Xu Chen secured the gold medals in the safe, Su Rong finally relaxed.

But she still seemed uneasy:

“Is your safe sturdy? I could ask my dad to get one.”

Xu Chen: “It’s fine; this safe cost over 30,000 yuan!”

Su Rong frowned and thought: “I learned in chemistry that gold is reactive; it won’t rust in there, right?”

Xu Chen: “This safe is high-end; it controls humidity and temperature perfectly—no issues.”

Su Rong nodded but looked doubtful.

She grabbed a dry towel and wiped each gold medal carefully, checking for any sweat or marks before gently putting them back in the safe.

As she did, she muttered:

“Keep Bing Ge’s gold medals here, and it’s best if only we know about it!

The more people who know, the more risk…

You never know who’s trustworthy—distance doesn’t prove loyalty, and time doesn’t reveal hearts…”

…

…

In the following days, Xu Chen dove back into his studies.

With final exams in the last two or three weeks, a quick cram would handle it.

His laid-back roommates were in the same boat, spending nights in the library.

The only calm one was Jiao Tianbo, the top student.

Always diligent, he breezed through exams without a hint of worry.

Zhou Junjun, or Vice President Zhou, came to Shanghai and would stay about a month.

Xu Chen made time one evening to have drinks with him.

Zhou Junjun was tired of the Fujian Province factory and came to the Shanghai office for a change.

He seemed interested in the new receptionist Nana, finding excuses to be nice.

But Nana was cautious and kept her distance, polite yet firm.

Fei Jie stepped in, warning Zhou Junjun off, and he backed down reluctantly.

So, the lonely Vice President Zhou turned to parties and night outings.

He had plenty of friends in Shanghai for fun.

…

Guo Liang arranged for three new Chenfeng Ice Power scooters.

One was for the February ad shoot and would stay as a display at the company.

Sun Aimi designed a display stand; suppliers would set it up soon.

The other two went to Su Rong and Wu Feifei.

Xu Chen delivered Su Rong’s to her dorm.

She was over the moon seeing it.

Worried about theft, she bought four locks for it, being extra careful.

“Ride safely on campus; it’s pretty fast!” Xu Chen reminded her.

“Don’t worry, I’ve practiced at your park; I’m good at it!”

…

One evening, Xu Chen rode an electric bike to Shanghai Foreign Languages University.

Wu Feifei was thrilled with the scooter he brought.

The usually cheerful Wu Feifei even cried a little.

Xu Chen was puzzled: “Why the tears?”

Wu Feifei seemed a bit upset: “Nothing…

Just that finals have been so hectic, and I haven’t had time to hang out.”

Xu Chen: “Vacation’s almost here; come to Tiancheng and visit our park—Fang Jun and I will show you around!”

Wu Feifei: “Sounds great! Dad told me your scooters are selling out in Tiancheng and the provincial capital.”

Xu Chen: “We owe it to the leaders, the city support, and especially Miss Wu’s help!”

Wu Feifei scoffed: “Come on, let me treat you to dinner!”

…

…

…

On Monday the 22nd,

After finishing two exams, Xu Chen rubbed his eyes, feeling exhausted.

Qian Xin scrolled his phone and said admiringly: “Bing Ge is incredible!”

As Su Rong passed by Xu Chen, she gave him a mysterious smile.

Xu Chen checked his phone and found the top headline:

From the Italy-hosted World Youth Athletics Championships…

Latest report: Xie Bingran outran European and American black and white youth athletes to claim the gold medal!

…

…