Chapter 137: An Unexpected Reunion at the Airport

Xu Chen woke up early, snagged a bite in the hotel restaurant, packed his things, and checked out.

Stepping outside, he eyed the congested streets and decided to take the subway to the airport.

The subway was crowded too, but at least its schedule was predictable compared to a taxi.

Yawning, Xu Chen stood in the corner of the car, cradling an exercise workbook and studying even on the go.

He arrived at the airport with an hour to spare before departure—just enough time to relax.

After security, he hurried toward the boarding gate…

Gate 39’s benches were already filled with waiting passengers.

Xu Chen circled twice looking for a free seat, then stopped at one spot…

There sat Xie Bingran, clutching a brown leather backpack, head drooped as if asleep.

Xu Chen paused in surprise—he hadn’t expected to see Xie Bingran here.

He wore a puzzled expression, then glanced down at his boarding pass as if something clicked.

At that moment, Xie Bingran stirred and woke up.

She looked down briefly and caught sight of Xu Chen’s feet in front of her.

Without lifting her head fully, she shifted her body upright.

She even lowered her chin further.

Like a child caught misbehaving by an adult…

Xu Chen spoke softly:

“Let me see your boarding pass.”

Xie Bingran stayed hunched over. She fumbled in her pocket and handed him her pass.

Xu Chen took it, frowned, and offered a faint, speechless smile.

Sure enough, she was on the same flight.

He glanced at Xie Bingran again and couldn’t help feeling a pang of sympathy.

No doubt she’d spent the night waiting in the airport…

“Wait here,” he said.

With both boarding passes in hand, he headed to the gate.

Xie Bingran watched him speak with the staff, then turn and walk back.

“Come on—let’s switch seats so we’re together. We need to go to the check-in desk and rebook…”

Before she could react, Xu Chen strode off in the opposite direction.

Xie Bingran blinked, then sprang up, hugged her backpack, and chased after him.

She ran after him, unable to stop herself from smiling.

…

They jogged through security and returned to the departure hall.

Xu Chen didn’t slow his pace, and Xie Bingran followed at his heels.

The airport felt vast and empty; after a short run, Xu Chen was already out of breath.

He glanced back at Xie Bingran, who remained calm and steady, and muttered under his breath:

“Teach me to work out next time—my stamina can’t keep up with yours.”

“Okay.”

They reached the check-in counter and saw the long line. Xu Chen explained their situation to a nearby staffer.

They were directed to an “express” counter with only two people ahead of them.

Standing in line, Xu Chen leaned close to Xie Bingran and said quietly:

“We might not get seats together. It depends if there are adjacent seats still available.”

“All right.”

“Next time, just tell me. Don’t make decisions on your own.”

“Okay.”

…

They reached the counter. Xu Chen handed over both passes and requested adjacent seats.

The staffer tapped at the computer for a moment, then said,

“There are two empty seats together, but they’re in the last two rows. It might be less comfortable.”

“That’s fine. Please switch us together,” Xu Chen replied.

The staffer worked again and handed over a form.

“You need to sign here.”

Xu Chen reached for the pen on the counter but found it broken.

He yanked his backpack from behind, pulled out a black ink pen from its side pocket, and signed his name.

Xie Bingran happened to glance and recognized the pen as the one she’d given him.

She couldn’t help feeling happy inside…

After the paperwork, they received their new boarding passes.

Xu Chen checked the time—still plenty of it—then led Xie Bingran back toward security.

He panted as he walked and laughed:

“We can skip workouts for a while—this run was enough exercise.”

He looked at Xie Bingran, whose face stayed serene and breathing unchanged.

Xu Chen: “…”

They queued through security again, and upon nearing the boarding gate, Xu Chen finally exhaled in relief.

“Have you eaten?” he asked.

“No.”

“Let me get you some noodles. They have plain broth and fresh vegetables…”

“Okay.”

…

A noodle stand near the gate had two or three customers.

Xie Bingran claimed a seat while Xu Chen placed their order.

Airport food was terrible and overpriced, but it would have to do.

Xu Chen had eaten breakfast, but Xie Bingran must still be hungry.

Soon, he carried two bowls on a tray, setting one in front of her—just noodles and greens.

“Where did you sleep last night?”

“In the airport’s rest area…on the benches.”

Xu Chen shook his head in resignation as he ate.

Xie Bingran glanced at him and added:

“The waiting lounge has a rest zone with benches—you can lie down.”

“It still feels uncomfortable.”

“I see…”

Xie Bingran unzipped her backpack and pulled out two hefty envelopes, placing them before him.

“What’s this?”

Her head lowered slightly as she answered:

“There’s twenty-two thousand yuan here…

I owed you thirty-seven thousand before. I’m paying you back twenty-two; the rest will have to wait.”

Xu Chen stared at the bulging envelopes in silence.

“You waited at the airport all night just for this?”

Thirty-seven thousand yuan was the debt she’d incurred when her grandmother fell ill.

Xu Chen had already paid it off without ever asking her to repay him…

Xie Bingran kept her head down, stray bangs masking her expression, sounding like a guilty child:

“I don’t know when I’ll see you next…”

Xu Chen: “After the college entrance exam, I’ll come to the provincial capital to see you.

Once we’re in the same city for university, I can visit you too.

Besides, I signed you to an advertising contract—I’ll be calling you for shoots soon…”

Xie Bingran still kept her head low, silent.

Xu Chen looked at the envelopes and spoke:

“I’m not short on money; even if you really wanted to repay me, there’s no need to do it now.

And I signed you for the ad without spending a dime—I owe you.”

Xie Bingran: “They’re separate matters…

That thirty-seven thousand is a different debt. I have to repay it—I even wrote an IOU note back then.”

She spoke softly, her tone chilly and determined.

Xu Chen looked at her serious expression, helpless:

“You’re brave—carrying over twenty thousand in cash around. Security isn’t what it used to be. I wouldn’t dare do that.”

Xie Bingran recalled last night’s ordeal but wasn’t about to mention it.

She thought for a moment, then said:

“When we land in the provincial capital, I’ll go with you to the airport bank and deposit it.”

She looked up at Xu Chen and said earnestly:

“Please put it away. I’m here to repay you.”

Xu Chen knew without asking that this was nearly all her savings.

Last time the city officials awarded her a twenty-thousand bonus; the extra two thousand must have been her own.

Xu Chen: “If I take this money, what will you live on?”

Xie Bingran: “I’m on the team—I don’t pay for food or lodging, and my clothes are supplied. I still get a monthly stipend.

This time, besides the competition prize, I’ll receive a provincial reward when we get back…

There’s nowhere else for this money to go. Please take it.”

Xu Chen hesitated, then tucked both envelopes into his backpack.

Seeing him do so, Xie Bingran finally smiled.

“I didn’t bring the IOU note with me.”

“That’s okay…”

Xie Bingran picked up her chopsticks and dug into her noodles.

Xu Chen smiled and added:

“I thought you waited for this morning just to catch my flight. I never guessed it was for this.”

Xie Bingran swallowed a mouthful, then whispered:

“It was partly to ride the same flight and partly to repay you…”

Xu Chen laughed and began eating heartily.

Quietly eating, he plotted ways to boost Xie Bingran’s income.

He drafted plans for the “Ran Bing Sports” brand and reserved shares for Bing Ge.

But since those ventures weren’t ready, he couldn’t start immediately.

Once the “ChenFeng” e-bike launched with its first model “Ice Power,” he’d film ads and get her paid.

Plus, with his work at East Morning Star Advertising, he could secure endorsements for her.

…

…

They soon lined up to board.

They slowly filed into the plane and reached the very back of economy class.

It was a “small plane” with three seats on one side.

“This row is just us,” Xu Chen said. “I checked when we rebooked.”

“Mm.”

Xie Bingran chose the window seat; Xu Chen took the aisle.

They buckled their seat belts, and Xu Chen said:

“Try to sleep. You probably didn’t rest much last night.”

Xie Bingran murmured in agreement without another word.

Economy class was cramped. Despite being tall, Xie Bingran couldn’t stretch out her long legs.

In the tight space, their elbows brushed occasionally.

Xie Bingran folded her hands in her lap, looking a bit reserved.

“Everything okay?”

“Yes…”

Xu Chen smiled, pulled out his workbook, and said:

“I envy you, Bing Ge—you don’t have to take the college entrance exam. I still have to study!”

Xie Bingran glanced at Xu Chen and replied:

“Then I won’t bother you.”

Xu Chen thought a moment, then tucked the workbook back into his bag.

“Actually, you can bother me. You waited all night—I can’t just sit here working on problems.”

He laughed:

“The plane’s bumpy. Reading makes my head spin. Let’s chat…”