Chapter 135: Stormy Evening in Tiancheng

Tiancheng.

At dusk, the sky abruptly darkened and a torrential downpour began.

In the parking lot outside a certain restaurant, a black Accord sat quietly.

Li Rui sat alone behind the wheel.

He listened to the radio, reclined his seat a bit, and half-lay back.

Xu Zhiquan was inside entertaining clients; he wouldn’t be out in at least two hours.

The local radio station was playing dull local news. Li Rui yawned from boredom…

At one moment, he sat bolt upright with a “clang,” then cranked up the volume knob.

“Our city’s Tiancheng No.1 High School senior Xie Bingran seized the national championship at today’s National Youth Athletics Championships in Shanghai…breaking the competition record…”

Li Rui let out a hearty laugh, slapped the steering wheel hard—and accidentally hit the horn.

A sharp honk echoed across the rain-soaked parking lot.

…

A rundown braised beef shop in the town.

The forty-something shop owner brought out a large basin of braised beef and offal to a big table.

Steam curled up, and the aroma filled the air.

A dozen rough-looking young men gathered around, each with a beer in hand.

Some drove taxis in the city, some worked in nearby restaurants as cooks, others still farmed in the village…

They had all attended that shabby middle school in town and had once been Bing Ge’s brothers.

The shop’s 21-inch TV had its volume turned all the way up.

“Look—Bing Ge is on!”

When Xie Bingran’s sprint across the track appeared on the oil-stained screen, the rowdy group hoisted their beers and downed them in one gulp.

…

Tiancheng No.1 High School.

Under the bike shed by the cafeteria, Zhao Feng and a bunch of buddies were smoking, cigarette butts scattered at their feet.

Fang Tao burst out of the cafeteria, ignoring the heavy rain, shouting:

“Brother Feng, come quick!”

Zhao Feng froze, then instantly glared, thinking one of their guys inside was in trouble.

He stomped on his cigarette, gestured to the others, and dashed into the rain toward the cafeteria.

They barged in, fists clenched—only to see everyone staring up at the wall-mounted TV.

As they spotted Bing Ge on the podium, the group whistled and jostled each other, cheering crude but joyful.

Outside the school gate, two teachers from the Publicity Department and the security guard were braving the rain to hang a newly printed huge banner.

…

…

Around nine that evening.

Shanghai Hongqiao Airport, Domestic Departures Hall.

At Gate 47, a queue of passengers waited to board.

At the back were five or six young athletes in ice-blue tracksuits—the Provincial Team members who had come to Shanghai for the National Youth Championships.

“Biaoz,” Tian Chaorui yawned, slinging her oversized black backpack, eyes heavy with sleep.

The few ahead of her looked no better—drained, ready to sleep the moment they boarded.

Xie Bingran stood with hands in pockets, head slightly lowered, silent behind Tian Chaorui…

These five or six teammates had finished competing today and were flying back to the provincial capital overnight. They needed to attend an event organized by the Sports Bureau tomorrow morning.

Late tomorrow afternoon, there would be a celebration for the National Youth Championships winners. Rumor said a couple of “very important” officials would attend.

It wasn’t stated outright, but everyone knew the ceremony was mainly for Xie Bingran…

Besides these five or six, a few more athletes and coaches would stay for the next two days of competition, returning later.

Xie Bingran at the end of the line suddenly tilted his head and looked forward.

Teacher Tian Fangfang walked at the front, chatting with another coach traveling with them.

Xie Bingran pulled a phone from his pocket and gently patted Tian Chaorui’s shoulder, whispering:

“We’re sitting together, right?”

Tian Chaorui glanced at Bing Ge’s boarding pass:

“Yes, Brother Bing. We’re both in row 27.”

Xie Bingran: “Then do me a favor.”

Tian Chaorui: “Just say it, Brother Bing.”

Xie Bingran leaned in close and whispered a few words.

Terror flickered across Tian Chaorui’s eyes as she blinked rapidly.

But after hesitating, she nodded at Xie Bingran.

“Don’t worry, Brother Bing. I’ll handle it…”

Expressionless, Xie Bingran nodded, then tilted his head to scan ahead…

Once he confirmed Teacher Tian Fangfang hadn’t turned around, he tightened the straps of his leather backpack, tucked his hands in his pockets, left the line, and strode toward the restroom.

Tian Chaorui pretended not to notice and continued toward the gate with the group.

…

…

About half an hour later…

Xie Bingran emerged alone from the restroom next to Gate 47, wearing a brown backpack.

He strolled up to the gate, checked the electronic board, and confirmed his flight had already departed.

Pulling out his phone, he saw a message from Tian Chaorui sent before her takeoff:

“Brother Bing, both coaches put in earplugs and slept as soon as they boarded. They just announced a passenger search onboard—they didn’t hear it…”

“I stopped the others. I’ll explain to Teacher Tian after we land.”

“You should text Teacher Tian too. She’ll see it once her phone’s on.”

Xie Bingran didn’t answer. He opened Teacher Tian Fangfang’s contact and sent:

“Teacher Tian, I missed my flight because I went to the restroom at boarding time. I’ve been rebooked on tomorrow morning’s flight. I’ll head to the training base and arrive by noon…”

…

After pocketing his phone, Xie Bingran glanced around and spotted a nearby LED screen cycling through flight info.

He hurried over, craned his neck, and after staring a while, found the flight to the provincial capital at 10 am tomorrow.

That was the same flight Xu Chen was supposed to take tomorrow morning…

Xie Bingran looked around again and headed for an information desk.

“Hello, I missed my flight and need to rebook for tomorrow morning. How do I do that?”

“Has the plane already departed? Let me see your boarding pass…”

“Yes, it’s gone. I want to switch to the 10 am flight tomorrow.”

“Since you’ve already checked in and the flight has left, the change fee will be quite high, just so you know.”

“Just tell me how to do it.”

“It’s a bit complicated. You’ll have to exit and re-enter security…”

“You need to go back through the checkpoint to the departures hall.”

“Then find the China Southern counter, have them handle the change, and then check in and go through security again.”

“Oh, thanks.”

Tightening his backpack straps again, Xie Bingran slipped his hands into his pockets and walked briskly outside.