Chapter 6: Clinging to Ice Sister’s Fortune

In Xu Chen’s pre-rebirth memories, a few years down the line Xie Bingran would storm into the Asian Games and set her sights on the Olympics.

Known for her unwavering loyalty, the “Ice Sister” and Tiancheng No.1 High School’s battlefield queen, Xie Bingran, would earn another title: Asia’s top female hurdler.

Who’d have imagined that the girl boss of Tiancheng No.1—once dead last in her classes, notorious for fighting and skipping school—would rise against all odds to inspire countless teens?

A hotshot athlete blessed with both talent and beauty, her redemption story and national glory would make her a heroine for the ages.

Her commercial value would soar past ten million—endless endorsements and ad revenue…

If that’s not a wealthy sponsor, what is?!

A bona fide rich benefactor!

In truth, after Xie Bingran became a sports star in his past life, even old classmates like Xu Chen couldn’t snag a meeting or a signed autograph.

Now reborn at this moment, he absolutely has to latch onto “Ice Sister’s” wealthy leg!

His father, Xu Zhiquan, wouldn’t limit his business to a single nursery; he’d expand into other industries, and Xu Chen already has a rough plan.

And the future sports star Xie Bingran will be a powerful promotional ally for his father’s ventures.

In just minutes, Xu Chen had mapped it all out.

Before Xie Bingran’s rise, he’d secure her endorsement deal first, reserving it for his father’s future promotions.

At least he’d save millions in endorsement fees.

Two pathways—his tycoon dad and riding the Ice Sister’s wealth—could merge organically, complementing each other.

A perfect arrangement!

Xu Chen frowned, feeling a twinge of frustration.

How on earth could he win over Xie Bingran’s favor?

In middle school, Xu Chen and Xie Bingran sat together for a year, their bond almost intimate.

Back then she was a gentle, quiet girl—worlds apart from today’s big sister vibe.

But in eighth grade some awkward incident drove them apart; they became virtual strangers…

After advancing to high school in different classes, they didn’t speak a word for nearly three years.

…

Just then, Zhao Feng and his underlings rose to their feet.

“Ice Sister!”

Zhao Feng called out, and his men echoed him.

Xu Chen looked up to see the fiercely cool Xie Bingran, whom he hadn’t seen in years.

At 1.74 meters tall, she towered over most girls.

Her short hair grazed her neck, slicked back into a pompadour that shimmered with jet-black gloss.

Her brows were crisply sculpted, eyes sharp with an undertone of rebellion.

A high, elegant nose, a cigarette dangling unlit from her lips.

Her oversized black jacket hung open.

Hands in pockets, her slim black jeans traced every curve…

Xu Chen couldn’t help marveling, “No wonder Ice Sister became champion—those legs are ridiculous.”

Seeing her arrival, Zhao Feng and his crew quickly made space.

But Xie Bingran seemed not to notice Xu Chen.

Silent, cigarette in mouth, she strode to their table and plopped down in the center seat.

Zhao Feng fumbled for a lighter, flicked it, and lit her cigarette with a “click.”

She waved a hand, inviting them to sit—exuding boss-level authority.

The burly 1.8-meter Zhao Feng looked nervous.

He sat precisely two seats away from her, legs pressed together.

The others dared not sit, standing quietly nearby.

Xie Bingran exhaled white smoke, said nothing, grabbed a youtiao, dunked it in soy milk, and devoured it in big bites.

As if no one else existed.

Zhao Feng hesitated, then spoke:

“Ice Sister, thanks for saving me back there!

I’m a man of my word—my brothers and I will follow your lead from now on…”

Xie Bingran said nothing, lifted her hand holding the cigarette, and lightly patted Zhao Feng’s shoulder.

Zhao Feng and his men chorused,

“Ice Sister…”

She remained silent and resumed her feast.

Chen Dahai twisted his head, watching her not far off, and whispered:

“Ice Sister is so cool…”

Xu Chen stared at her back and murmured:

“She wasn’t always like this…”

Chen Dahai blinked and asked softly:

“Right! You and Ice Sister sat together in middle school…what was she like back then?”

Xu Chen gave no reply. He lifted his soy milk and took a long sip.

Older memories flooded his mind.

In first grade of middle school at that rundown rural school, Xu Chen first met Xie Bingran.

She was nowhere near as tall and formidable—timid, quiet, even frail.

In the second semester of seventh grade, they became deskmates.

Xu Chen noticed this pretty but plain girl wore the same old uniform every day and often had only a dry bun at lunch, no pickles.

He later learned her family was poor; she relied on scholarships just to attend middle school.

From then on, as class monitor, Xu Chen went out of his way to help Xie Bingran.

With more pocket money, he’d buy extra food at lunch, claiming he couldn’t finish it so he’d force-feed her.

He’d share his used stationery with the poor deskmate.

At that time, the shy, fragile girl was sometimes picked on by mean classmates, and as monitor, Xu Chen defended her repeatedly.

The ice-cold introvert finally saw Xu Chen as her only friend, and they talked about everything.

Only then did Xu Chen learn her father never came home and her mother remarried and left.

She lived with her aging rural grandmother, barely making ends meet…

The girl had likely never been cared for; she developed an unspoken dependence on Xu Chen’s kindness.

In eighth grade, she “confessed” to Xu Chen.

Hearing “like” from Xie Bingran surprised Xu Chen.

He’d never viewed her that way.

They were too young. He coldly refused, citing “studying for high school”—and began to distance himself.

He now thinks her “like” back then might not have meant what it sounded like.

He also realizes he could’ve refused more gently.

Later their seats were changed, and they were separated.

Some unspoken awkwardness cemented their estrangement; they lost all contact.

Xie Bingran’s “blackened” big sister persona emerged not long after.

Her father, long absent, was arrested for crimes overseas—he even made local news.

In that era at a rural middle school, a “reform-through-labor kid” inevitably suffered gossip and bullying…

One stifling summer afternoon, a sudden downpour broke the heat.

The dusty playground’s earth aroma was pressed into the courtyard walls by the rain.

The scent of wet soil mingled with the air.

The frail girl balled her fists, confronting her tormentors for the first time and battling her fate.

Soaked to the bone, face bruised, she returned to class under everyone’s gaze…

Silence reigned.

She looked like a wounded creature.

Yet also like a vengeful raptor returning from the hunt.

That day,

the gentle, introverted Xie Bingran vanished without a trace.

In her place, the fierce, loyal Ice Sister was born.