Chapter 507: Dawn in a Distant Land

The next morning.

The Swiss sunlight was incredibly clear and crisp, slanting through the window.

Xu Chen pulled the thin blanket over himself and Xie Bingran’s heads.

Xie Bingran blinked her big eyes and snuggled closer, nestling into his arms.

After dropping off the two young ladies at the hotel last night, Xu Chen canceled his room there and sneaked back to Bing Ge’s place.

Cheng Hong and Bai Miao, who usually shared the room with Xie Bingran, were conveniently absent, turning the large suite into a cozy retreat.

But today meant parting ways, and Xie Bingran huddled in Xu Chen’s embrace, looking like a pitiful puppy.

Xu Chen gently stroked her head.

Who would have guessed that Bing Ge, who had just taken down that group of burly black guys, could look so soft and vulnerable in his arms?

Xie Bingran nuzzled her head against Xu Chen’s chest and hugged his back even tighter.

“I asked Coach Cheng Hong about it—she approved two days off for you after May 1st. We can head to our new place in Shanghai just in time.”

“Mmm…”

“The last batch of locust flowers at home has bloomed, and my dad has stocked up a bunch in the freezer.”

“This trip back, I’ll bring some to Shanghai. We can make dumplings stuffed with locust flowers at home!”

The little foodie looked up, her big eyes blinking with sudden interest:

“Sounds great! I know how to make dumplings.”

Xu Chen smiled, remembering the time at the Hua Yin inn in Kun City when Xie Bingran felt embarrassed because she only knew how to cook noodles.

“You’re really something—more talented than I thought.”

“Huh?”

“I knew you were an Asian champion, but I didn’t realize you were a world champion too.”

“Oh.”

Xu Chen cupped her face and planted a big kiss on her lips.

……

They lingered together for a while longer until it was time to get up, then both reluctantly climbed out of bed.

Their flights were in the afternoon.

Xie Bingran would wait at the hotel for Coach Cheng Hong and the others to return, then take the bus to the airport together.

Xu Chen had to head back to the H Hotel near the stadium first, pick up Wu Feifei and Su Rong, and grab their luggage, which was still stored there.

“Are you heading straight back to Tiancheng?”

Xie Bingran asked while packing her things.

Xu Chen: “Yeah, straight home for the May 1st holiday.”

“Wu Feifei and I are on the same flight to the Provincial Capital, and Li Rui will drive over to pick us up.”

Xie Bingran: “What about Su Rong? She’s just a young girl—how will she manage?”

Xu Chen: “It’s all arranged.”

“I’ll see her off on the plane in Zurich. Once she lands in Shanghai, Jiang Yuze from the company will drive to pick her up.”

“I’ll make sure Miss Su gets home safely.”

Xie Bingran said “Oh,” but she still seemed concerned about Su Rong:

“Isn’t she going home for May 1st?”

Xu Chen: “Su Rong came to Europe without telling her family—her dad is really strict and hardly lets her go out on her own.”

Xie Bingran: “……”

Xu Chen: “So she’ll head back to school first, and her dad will send a driver to pick her up from there.”

“Oh.”

Xu Chen narrowed his eyes:

“Bing Ge, you’re really looking out for Su Rong.”

Xie Bingran said “Oh” again, ignoring his teasing.

……

……

Two hours later, in the Zurich Airport VIP lounge.

Xu Chen lounged on a massage chair while Wu Feifei and Su Rong had wandered off to the food counter for desserts.

Bing Ge’s flight was later in the afternoon, so she hadn’t arrived at the airport yet.

Xu Chen scrolled through his phone and unexpectedly got a message from Professor Ni Zhi.

[May 20th is Tonghai University’s centennial celebration. Our college is handling some art and design needs…

Some of it has overflowed, and I wondered if your East Morning Star Advertising might be interested in taking on some?

There’ll be a budget, but it might not match outside commercial orders…]

Xu Chen was a bit surprised that the centennial event work had come his way.

Tonghai University was founded in 1907, and this year marks its centennial.

The celebration date is special—right on May 20th.

Getting involved in an once-in-a-century event, Xu Chen was more than happy to agree.

As a student there, leaving a mark on the centennial was an honor.

[I’d be thrilled to help! Does Professor Ni have a specific requirements list?

I need to check with my project management team and schedule it.

The centennial is coming up fast, so I have to free up design resources quickly.]

Ni Zhi: [Alright, I’ll have one of my graduate students contact you to handle the details.]

Xu Chen: [No problem, Professor Ni—just have them reach out!]

Requests like this from universities can be similar to institutional ones, with odd revisions or approvals.

But with the centennial deadline, everything has to wrap up on time.

Even with changes, they won’t drag on forever.

It could be fun, and if they produce a solid piece, it’s all worth it.

Ni Zhi replied:

[One more thing—did you get the college’s notice?

The centennial includes award events for students, like ‘Outstanding Undergraduate,’ ‘Outstanding Graduate,’ and ‘Outstanding Alumnus.’

Winning in a centennial year is a big honor…

Our college meeting last month recommended you for ‘Outstanding Undergraduate.’

It’s mainly for your excellence in your field, including extracurriculars like the University Advertising Competition, the Great Wall Award, and your work with the ad agency.]

This was an unexpected delight for Xu Chen.

Without knowing, he’d been nominated for an award.

Xu Chen quickly and politely thanked Professor Ni Zhi.

Ni Zhi seemed pleased:

[You’ve brought a lot of honor to the college and department, so it’s well-deserved!

But whether you win depends on the university’s review process.]

[I get it—still, thanks so much to you and the college!]

……

After ending the call with Professor Ni Zhi, Chen Xun—a graduate student he supervised—reached out.

They chatted briefly via message before Chen Xun called.

As the junior, Xu Chen was very polite, but this ‘master’s student senior’ was even more so.

Professor Ni Zhi had already shared stories about Xu Chen’s wins in the University Advertising Competition and Great Wall Award, plus running his own ad company.

Chen Xun genuinely admired his ‘junior.’

After some small talk, they got to the point.

Chen Xun was overseeing the design needs for the centennial from the Creative Media College.

He gave a quick overview, and Xu Chen got the picture.

It was mostly event posters and materials, with the key one being the centennial commemorative stamps.

Straightforward design work—Sun Aimi could lead it, and with Tang Xiaowei plus two new designers starting after May 1st, they’d handle it easily.

No issues on their end.

“No problem, senior. Send me the requirements list, and I’ll coordinate internally.”

“Then my project management team will follow up with you.”

Chen Xun exchanged a few more courtesies before hanging up.

Once he received the list, Xu Chen forwarded it to Gu Xinxi and updated the East Morning Star Advertising group chat.

Spotting Su Rong still hunting for food, he added:

[When we get back after May 1st, let’s loop in Sun Aimi and Su Rong too!

She’s got real design talent and has been asking for real work.

This centennial design project could be perfect for her.]

Sun Aimi: [Got it, boss!]

Xu Chen: [Treat her well—don’t just see her as an intern; she’s Miss Su, after all.]

Sun Aimi: [Understood, boss!]

……

Su Rong’s flight to Shanghai was earlier, so Xu Chen and Wu Feifei saw her to the gate first.

“Don’t worry about me! I’ll just sleep on the plane and be there before I know it!” Su Rong said with a smile.

Xu Chen: “Once you land, contact Jiang Yuze—he’ll be waiting at the airport!”

Su Rong: “Okay, thanks, Young Xu!”

……

……

Due to the time difference, Xu Chen and Wu Feifei landed at the Provincial Capital Airport around 6 a.m. the next day.

They’d managed some sleep on the flight, but getting home would still mean adjusting and catching up on rest.

Luckily, it was the May 1st holiday, so they could take it easy.

Xu Chen quickly messaged Su Rong to check if she’d landed safely and got a reply right away:

[I’m in Jiang Yuze’s car! Don’t worry, Young Xu!]

Neither Xu Chen nor Wu Feifei felt like breakfast, so they headed straight to the parking lot.

Wu Feifei didn’t need any more arrangements—a driver was already waiting to take her, as she planned to spend a couple of days in the Provincial Capital.

Xu Chen walked her to the car like a gentleman.

It was a black Buick LaCrosse—practical and understated.

The driver was a buzz-cut middle-aged man Xu Chen didn’t recognize.

Wu Feifei introduced him warmly, saying to call him ‘Uncle Wu,’ but didn’t go into details.

Xu Chen had thought it might be Wu Yongming’s secretary, Qu Fei, coming instead…

After saying goodbye to Wu Feifei, Xu Chen moved from P2 to P3 parking and spotted Li Rui leaning against his car, smoking.

Li Rui grinned, his face full of lines, wearing a casual tactical jacket.

He stubbed out his cigarette and called out ‘Bro Xu’ as he hurried over to grab the luggage.

Xu Chen pulled a pack from his pocket and handed it over:

“This is from Bing Ge—Davidoff cigarettes, straight from Switzerland.”

Li Rui took it: “Thanks, Bro Xu!”

Xu Chen: “There’s more in the suitcase; I’ll divvy it up when we get back.”

Li Rui: “Awesome! Too bad Bing Ge couldn’t make it this time.”

……

The car pulled out of the airport and hit the highway under the morning light.

“Where was my dad last night?” Xu Chen reclined the passenger seat and settled in, still feeling the travel fatigue.

Li Rui: “President Xu stayed at the park last night. He’s basically only home every few days now.”

“The park’s in full production mode, with some overtime scheduled even over May 1st.”

Xu Chen felt a pang of sympathy for his father:

“Let’s head to the park first—I want to check on him.”

Li Rui: “Bro Xu, you’ve been up all night—want to go home and sleep first?”

Xu Chen: “Nah, I’ll power through today and shake off the jet lag.”

……

……

As they entered Tiancheng, Xu Chen craved some local breakfast and asked Li Rui to detour.

They ended up near Tiancheng No. 1 High School for the soybean milk and fried dough sticks he and Chen Dahai used to eat in high school.

While devouring his meal, Xu Chen chatted with Li Rui about Bing Ge’s old stories.

Li Rui puffed on a cigarette, clearly moved as he recalled the past:

“None of us expected so much to change in just over a year.”

Xu Chen: “All good changes, though.”

Li Rui exhaled smoke: “Didn’t know Bing Ge was that tough…”

“Tougher than we thought…”

Xu Chen: “Tougher than I knew too.”

……

……

At Morning Wind Park, in the comprehensive building’s chairman office.

A few green plants had been added, bringing a lively touch.

Xu Zhiquan explained:

“Last month, your maternal uncle visited the park, and I had him help rearrange these pots.”

“They’re good for purifying the air—lots of meetings and smoking go on here…”

Xu Chen eyed the most noticeable one:

“Is that a money tree?”

Old Xu chuckled:

“Fang Jun picked it out—supposed to bring wealth to the company.”

“She has one in the financial room too.”

Xu Chen glanced around and saw the calligraphy on the wall, signed ‘Mo Geng’:

“Oriental glory shines, radiant in the morning light”…

Old Xu had mentioned before that this piece carried significant weight.

In certain meetings, it could turn the tide effortlessly.

Xu Chen didn’t need to ask more to sense its importance.

Old Xu brewed some hot tea and invited Xu Chen to have some.

Xu Chen dug into his backpack and casually handed over a sleek black box.

It was the Omega “Butterfly” series watch he’d brought from Switzerland.

Xu Zhiquan carefully opened it, squinted at it, and beamed, unable to hide his delight.

He said, “Last year’s watch is still good,” but he happily strapped on the new one.

Xu Zhiquan admired it from every angle, loving the gift from his son more with each look.

……

Fang Jun wasn’t in the financial office, so Xu Chen found her in the lounge next to the comprehensive building.

After Bing Ge’s win in Zurich, Old Xu had organized a remote celebration, and Fang Jun surprisingly brought out two cases of fine liquor.

Now, she’d restocked and was meticulously counting the new bottles, her face expressionless but clearly pleased.

Fang Jun was focused until Xu Chen cleared his throat, snapping her attention.

Xu Chen approached with a bottle:

“Brought this whisky for you from Switzerland—Johnnie Walker White Walker Princess…”

A wide, happy smile broke across Fang Jun’s usually stoic face.