Chapter 88: Tracks of Friendship

In the blink of an eye, the two of them had arrived at the gates of the Sports University.

The security guard at the entrance seemed to recognize Xie Bingran. He pressed a remote control, lifting the barrier automatically.

Xu Chen followed behind Xie Bingran—his first time entering this city’s Sports University.

“The coach at First High School’s cafeteria won’t let me eat there, so I’ve been having meals here,”

Xie Bingran explained.

Xu Chen responded with an “Oh.”

They walked side by side across campus. Xu Chen, curious, glanced around.

They ran into several students from Sports University. To his surprise, each called out, “Bing Ge!”

Xu Chen couldn’t help teasing:

“You’re pretty famous around here, Bing Ge!”

Xie Bingran kept a straight face and explained,

“They’re all washed-up rivals of mine.”

Xu Chen: “…”

Well, Bing Ge really was imposing.

…

Cafeteria.

Looking around, most of the diners were athletes in training—male and female alike, all muscular and exuding raw energy.

Two long self-service lines offered a full spread of meats and fish.

“Just help yourself,” Xie Bingran said.

Xu Chen answered with another “Oh,” then grabbed a tray.

After picking their food, they headed to the checkout.

Xie Bingran pulled out a blue campus card, swiped it in the reader, and settled the bill in one go.

They found a spot with few people. Half-joking, Xu Chen said,

“Finally scoring a free meal thanks to you!”

Xie Bingran gave a small smile:

“I’m on the Provincial Team now. All my meals here get reimbursed.”

Xu Chen was happy. The poor girl who couldn’t eat enough before wouldn’t go hungry now.

Xie Bingran lowered her head to eat, then added,

“The coach said once I join the National Team, I’ll get a monthly stipend—like a salary.

And if I place in competitions, there’s prize money too.”

Xu Chen laughed and stuffed a big mouthful of rice into his mouth.

He knew Xie Bingran was telling him this to put his mind at ease.

After a few bites, she seemed hot. She unzipped her jacket and took off the black sports coat.

Underneath was a tight black tank top with a small national flag printed on it.

Beads of sweat glistened on her neck and collarbone.

Xu Chen glanced up and teased,

“You’ve only trained for a few days here and you’ve already bulked up!”

Xie Bingran, chewing a meat patty, suddenly shot him a cold glare:

“Want to die?!”

…

Between bites, more sports students strolled by, calling out “Bing Ge.”

Xie Bingran didn’t speak but gave them each a nod.

As they neared the end of their meal, a tall student approached.

He bowed slightly, wearing a forced grin.

“Bing Ge…”

Xie Bingran glanced up, then looked at Xu Chen and said,

“This is Wu Di—the one who threatened to take you down.”

Xu Chen turned to look. The boy was well-built, sporting a long side-parted hairstyle. He must train in some event.

He was also one of Zhao Linlin’s “sworn brothers.”

Previously, Xie Bingran and Li Rui were expelled because of this Wu Di.

Wu Di forced an awkward smile and said,

“Hello, Chen Ge. It’s all a misunderstanding.

Besides, Bing Ge already put me in my place. I’ve learned my lesson!”

Xu Chen said nothing, only nodded.

“Bing Ge, I’ll take my leave now!”

Xie Bingran said “Mm,” and Wu Di turned to leave.

…

They left the cafeteria as dusk fell.

They walked side by side across campus. Xie Bingran remained silent.

After a moment, she glanced toward the track on the distant athletic field and said,

“I’m heading back to the countryside tomorrow to see Grandma, then back to the Provincial Capital for team training.

They’ll enter me in one or two competitions, and then I’ll make the National Team.”

Xu Chen said, “You make it sound so easy. Other athletes would die of envy.”

Xie Bingran finally smiled:

“On the track…I really excel at hurdling.”

She fell silent again, then lowered her voice:

“Xu Chen, have you decided which university you’re applying to?”

Xu Chen paused. Xie Bingran had asked this before.

Before he could answer, she added,

“Some schools in the Provincial Capital have offered me spots…but I doubt you’ll want to study there, right?”

Xu Chen said,

“Where I go to college doesn’t matter.

The universities in the Provincial Capital aren’t good enough for you!”

Under the dim evening sky, Xie Bingran’s eyes flickered.

“When you decide on a university, let me know in advance.”

Xu Chen grinned, “Don’t worry—I’ll tell you!”

Xie Bingran lowered her head. Her short hair fell over her fine, brooding features.

“I’m focusing on hurdles now.

The best hurdle coaches are in Beijing and Shanghai…”

Xu Chen stared at the track under the night sky and whispered,

“Great. I’ll choose a college in either Beijing or Shanghai.”

Xie Bingran didn’t say anything. She tilted her head down…

Then she quietly curved her lips into a smile.

…

Xie Bingran had only stayed in Tiancheng these few days before returning to train with the Provincial Team in the Capital.

During her stay, she’d been assigned a room in a guesthouse next to the Sports University.

Her dorm bed at First High School had been cleared when she was expelled, then the school decided to keep it reserved for her.

But Xie Bingran no longer had the chance to return.

Xu Chen accompanied her to the guesthouse’s entrance, then turned to say goodbye.

Xie Bingran gave a cold look, waved her hand, and climbed the stairs.

Xu Chen smiled and turned away.

As he reached the road junction, he heard Xie Bingran call his name.

Xu Chen turned back and saw her still standing at the stairwell.

A single dim yellow light outlined Bing Ge’s silhouette.

Backlit, her face was obscured.

“Xu Chen…I’ll make my Servitude Contract even more valuable!”

Xu Chen laughed twice.

He threw up both thumbs in the air.

…

…

The day before Qingming Festival, Xu Chen took an extra day off.

He planned to sweep his mother’s grave tomorrow. He knew his father, Xu Zhiquan, would head to the village to gather locust blossoms.

Xu Chen’s mother passed away when he was four or five. His memories of her were already blurred.

From his father’s stories, he learned that his mother loved jiaozi filled with locust blossoms.

So every Qingming, Xu Zhiquan found newly bloomed locust flowers.

Luckily, the grove near their old village was covered in pure white, fragrant blooms.

Li Rui fetched two long bamboo poles, each topped with a bent iron hook.

They strapped the poles to the top of the van and set off with Xu Zhiquan and Xu Chen for their hometown…

A warm breeze brushed their faces, carrying the deep scent of locust flowers.

Layer upon layer of white blossoms looked like clouds drifting through the sky, dressing the grove in a brilliant new coat.

Xu Chen swung the bamboo pole, knocking down blossom after blossom. Childhood and teenage memories stirred inside him.

He recalled one Qingming when his father made heaps of locust-filled dumplings.

He brought some to school at noon and shared them with his pitiful deskmate, Xie Bingran.

She timidly took a bite and then asked,

“Why are they sweet?”