Chapter 47: Race Against Time

“Where is she? You don’t know?” Xu Chen demanded.

Zhao Feng ground out his cigarette underfoot after smoking it down.

“We really have no idea… This morning Bing Ge and the others were called in for questioning, then Bing Ge and Li Rui grabbed their bags and left school right away.

We don’t know if they went willingly or if their homeroom teacher kicked them out.

That Class 3 homeroom teacher is a real witch—she’s always been on Bing Ge’s case.”

The “witch” Zhao Feng referred to was naturally Huang Aiying, the Class 3 teacher.

Xu Chen had already sensed Huang Aiying’s dislike and contempt for Xie Bingran at the police station last time.

With a troubled student in her class, Huang Aiying’s prospects for awards and promotions would take a hit, so she’d always shot Xie Bingran dirty looks.

She was probably celebrating Xie Bingran’s expulsion.

Xu Chen’s face darkened.

He’d intended to get involved in this matter anyway.

Now that Xie Bingran was expelled because of him, he couldn’t just stand by.

The school’s punishment might be justified.

Xie Bingran and Li Rui did cause trouble yesterday and maybe deserved expulsion.

But… she was Xie Bingran, after all.

He cared too much to stay out of it.

First things first: find her.

Once he did, there was still time for her to make the city games trials this afternoon.

If he could drag Xie Bingran onto that track, he was certain she’d stun everyone.

With a seed athlete for the Asian Games, anything was possible.

Xu Chen refused to believe that the school leaders would allow a future sports star—someone who brought such honor and prestige—to be expelled.

In fact, in his past life Xie Bingran spent two years in juvenile detention, and back then the school used her as a negative example.

But once she left detention and joined the Provincial Team and then the National Team, racking up championship after championship, that same high school couldn’t get enough of her, proudly calling itself her alma mater.

So as long as he pulled Xie Bingran back into the trials and let her talent shine, everything could turn around.

Her hidden talent—unknown to the world—was exactly why Xu Chen had to find her and get her on the field.

…

Zhao Feng lit another cigarette, then spoke up:

“Bing Ge might have gone home…

But her dorm and classroom stuff are still there. She’ll probably have to come back in a day or two to pick them up.”

Xu Chen asked,

“Did you know I arranged with her to go to the city games trials this afternoon?”

“Heard about it,” Zhao Feng replied. “These past nights, Bing Ge’s been training alone out on the Athletic Field.”

That surprised Xu Chen.

If Xie Bingran actually practiced at the field by herself, it showed she cared about the trials.

Or cared enough about what Xu Chen told her.

“Alright, got it…”

As Xu Chen finished speaking, the bell rang. He turned and hurried toward the classroom.

…

Class 5, Grade 3 High School — Chinese class.

Homeroom teacher Zhang Liqun strode to the podium and scanned the room, only to find Xu Chen’s seat empty. A flicker of displeasure crossed his eyes.

At that moment Xu Chen arrived at the door.

He stood there head bowed, silent.

“Late to class, no discipline! Take your seat!”

Zhang Liqun pushed up his brown-rimmed glasses and hissed.

Xu Chen said nothing and quickly returned to his seat.

Chen Dahai saw him sit down and looked like he wanted to say something, but he held back.

With Xie Bingran expelled, Xu Chen was bound to be upset.

Chen Dahai and the rest of their friends knew that, but didn’t know how to comfort him.

Zhang Liqun’s face grew stern.

He didn’t open his lesson plan but began speaking.

“About today’s punishment notice for morning exercises, I need to say a few more words…

“Even if it didn’t happen in our class, everyone should take it as a warning…

“Don’t think I don’t know! Some of you are running with those street punks and troublemakers!”

“The college entrance exam is around the corner; messing around now can ruin your entire future!

“If you keep following those hoodlums, one slip could be a lifetime regret!””

…

As the teacher lectured, many students stole glances at Xu Chen in the back.

Everyone could tell that more than half of Zhang Liqun’s scolding was aimed at him.

Xu Chen sat quietly, expression solemn.

He seemed to be reflecting earnestly, but in truth he was lost in thought.

Zhang Liqun’s voice grew more heated, spittle flying.

Suddenly Xu Chen raised his hand and stood.

“Sir, I feel extremely unwell and need half a day off!”

…

Zhang Liqun’s brow furrowed, the eyes behind his brown glasses ice-cold.

“Don’t fake it in front of me!

I see you’re full of energy—how are you unwell?!”

Xu Chen’s face remained calm, though his mood was foul.

The teacher’s irritating voice reminded him of the resentment he faced in his past life.

He could have attended a top university, but thanks to Teacher Zhang he ended up at a lower-tier one.

Even years after graduation, job searches, career changes, and promotions still cost him dearly.

In Zhang Liqun’s eyes, students like Xu Chen—those with a shot at elite schools—were just a means to boost his credentials and bonuses.

Meanwhile, those students should bear the risks themselves…

Though the criticism wasn’t entirely wrong, Xu Chen was already agitated.

He looked coldly at Zhang Liqun and said evenly,

“If I really collapse later…

Can you take responsibility?”

…

The room fell silent.

His tone was icy and steady, with no emotion—just stating a fact.

Beside him, Chen Dahai tilted his head and mouthed two words silently:

“He’s got guts!”

Xu Chen frowned, annoyed.

He yanked his bag from under the desk and whispered,

“Teacher, I feel like I’m about to faint. I need to go to the hospital. Goodbye!”

With that, he stepped out of his seat and strode toward the back door…

…

The whole class turned to watch.

Fifty-six students, fifty-six bewildered faces.

Zhang Liqun’s dark face flushed crimson, his glasses trembling.

“What are you staring at? Back to class!”

…

…

Xu Chen slung his bag and marched out the school gates.

According to Zhao Feng, Xie Bingran might have gone home.

Xu Chen knew the whereabouts and name of the village where Xie Bingran was born.

But he had no clue which bus to take or how to find her house once he got there.

He pulled out his mobile phone, cursing what he called a useless brick.

Neither Baidu Maps nor Amap had a Symbian version yet.

In this small County Town, the usual way to check bus routes was a paper map or timetable…

And local taxis, for safety and road conditions, didn’t go to the rural outskirts.

Xu Chen slumped at the bus stop sign, frustrated.

He stared at the route list, then muttered to himself:

“I know where you are.”

Five minutes later, a No. 16 bus pulled up.

This bus headed to that rundown village Middle School.

…