Chapter 138: Arrival at the Provincial Capital Airport

Provincial Capital Airport.

Maybe because it had just rained, the air felt much cooler than in Shanghai.

Xu Chen and Xie Bingran disembarked one after the other, then queued up for the shuttle bus.

The bus was packed, bodies pressed tightly together.

Xie Bingran stood in a corner at the back. Xu Chen took a spot in front of her, one hand gripping the rail, his arm forming a barrier that shielded her from the jostling crowd.

They were about the same height, and standing so close, even over the noise, Xie Bingran could hear his breathing.

She looked up and saw Xu Chen smiling gently at her.

Her eyes panicked for a moment, then she dropped her gaze.

She glanced at how he was protecting her and suddenly felt an odd surge of annoyance.

She’s supposed to be “Bing Ge”—when did she start needing to be treated like a little girl?!

The shuttle made a sharp turn and the passengers lurched.

Xie Bingran staggered and nearly fell against Xu Chen. Luckily, he shifted his weight just in time to steady them both.

Once she regained her balance, she felt a twinge of regret…

They disembarked and entered the arrival hall.

After walking a bit, Xie Bingran suddenly stopped.

She pointed at the ATM machine and said,

“You go deposit the money first.”

Xu Chen smiled and obediently stepped over, pulling out the two heavy envelopes and his bank card.

Watching him deposit the cash, her cold, brooding expression softened into a faint smile.

Both their phones rang at the same time.

Xie Bingran’s was Teacher Tian Fangfang—she and the driver had arrived at the airport.

Xu Chen’s was Li Rui.

“Let’s go. I’ll see you to your car first,” Xu Chen said.

“Okay.”

He was about to leave when Xie Bingran spoke again:

“I’m a bit hungry…”

Xu Chen paused, then chuckled.

He looked around and said,

“There’s a Western diner ahead. They have salads.”

“All right.”

…

In front of Xie Bingran was a salad and a glass of lemonade. Xu Chen had a sandwich and orange juice.

He ate while joking and laughing over trivial banter.

Xie Bingran ate in silence, occasionally breaking into a smile.

…

“Li Rui’s in the parking lot. Want to say hi on the way?”

“Oh… he already messaged me about it…”

Once their plates and glasses were empty, they stood up in silent agreement.

Xu Chen led Xie Bingran toward the east parking lot.

Just before they reached the exit, Xie Bingran stopped and said,

“This is fine—just see me off here.”

Xu Chen stopped and gave her a warm smile.

She tightened her backpack strap and turned to leave.

At the door, she glanced back with her cold, brooding eyes, looking almost pitiable.

Xu Chen waved at her with a smile and said goodbye.

They say personalities fall into “cat” or “dog” types. Then “Wolfdog Bing” must be a “dog” personality…

Xu Chen thought to himself.

…

Bing Ge set off on her own.

Xu Chen watched through the glass doors until she met Teacher Tian Fangfang and boarded a Buick GL8. Then he turned and left.

Li Rui’s car was parked in the west lot.

Worried Li Rui hadn’t eaten, Xu Chen grabbed some youtiao and soy milk for him as lunch.

…

When he found Li Rui, he was smoking alone in an open spot outside the lot.

With that tough look, no one dared ask him for directions.

“Brother Chen!”

As soon as Xu Chen approached, Li Rui tossed aside his cigarette and stood up.

“You haven’t eaten lunch, right? Here.”

“Thanks, Brother Chen!”

Li Rui took the food and ate as he walked.

By the time they reached the car door, he’d finished everything.

Xu Chen shook his head—Li Rui’s efficiency knew no bounds.

The black Accord drove out of the airport, quickly merging onto the highway toward Tiancheng.

On the way, Li Rui was full of excitement, telling Xu Chen all about the “Bing Ge” news these past two days.

Apparently, after Xie Bingran’s victory, Tiancheng media had gone into overdrive with coverage.

The local city TV station even extended its evening news by half an hour to showcase her achievement for the city.

Li Rui bought several local papers for Xu Chen—each splashed front-page headlines about her championship.

Xu Chen flipped through them in the car, thinking Xie Bingran’s fame in Tiancheng was officially made.

Just as anticipated, Tiancheng planned to promote her as the city’s “pride card.”

From a business perspective, it was the perfect setup.

In Xu Chen’s plan, Chenfeng Electric Vehicles’ first product launch couldn’t roll out nationwide immediately—it had to start in Tiancheng.

Having Xie Bingran, the city’s pride, as spokesperson was ideal.

…

As they neared Tiancheng, Xu Chen’s phone rang from an unknown number.

He answered and heard Mandarin laced with a strong Guangdong accent.

“Is this Teacher Xu Chen?”

“Yes. Who’s calling?”

“Hello, Teacher Xu Chen. I’m Chen Xinyi, Marketing Manager at Jiaduobao Group.”

“You submitted an ad idea for our ‘Wang Laoshun’ brand. Do you recall?”

Xu Chen was surprised—he hadn’t expected feedback on that submission.

Manager Chen chatted politely, then said they’d just finished a national survey.

Since they were passing through Tiancheng, they’d like to visit “Teacher Xu Chen.”

One of their vice presidents of marketing channels also wanted to meet him.

Xu Chen considered it and agreed.

“Shall we meet tomorrow at the Tiancheng No. 1 High School address I left?”

“Come straight to my office.”

There was a pause before she said,

“Great! I didn’t know you had a dedicated office!”

“8th floor, Jin Feng Commercial Building on Caiyuan Street—East Morning Star Advertising.”

Manager Chen exchanged pleasantries in Cantonese and Mandarin before hanging up.

Clearly, she’d assumed he was just a teacher at the high school and hadn’t expected him to run an ad agency with an office.

The highway signal cut in and out, so Xu Chen didn’t explain further—he’d clarify tomorrow.

He thought about developing a relationship with Jiaduobao Group for future collaborations.

Previously, when promoting HuiShuang Shenbao, Guo Liang helped him out plenty—he’d even introduced the Renhe Pharmaceuticals pitch.

Through Jiaduobao, he could open another advertising line.

He also remembered that in his past life the group later launched “Kunlun Mountain Mineral Water” endorsed by tennis star Li Na.

Maybe they could land an endorsement deal for Bing Ge…

All that hinged on building trust with Jiaduobao for future partnerships.

…

…

They arrived in town early. Li Rui dropped Xu Chen off at home first.

His father, Xu Zhiquan, was still out on business and wouldn’t return until evening.

Li Rui got out and said,

“Brother Chen, I’ve got to get back to work.”

Xu Chen waved him down, pulled something from his bag, and handed it over:

“This is for you—from Shanghai.”

Li Rui opened it to find a metal Zippo lighter.

He looked embarrassed. “Thanks, Brother Chen!”

Xu Chen smiled. “Go on, then.”

…

Back home alone, Xu Chen washed some fruit and turned on the TV.

The local station was still reporting on “Tiancheng’s pride, the genius girl” Xie Bingran’s victory.

To link her to the city, they interviewed several municipal and high school leaders and teachers.

They even featured Wu Yongming, the deputy mayor in charge of sports.

Gao Guangya, director of the City Sports Bureau who’d attended his grandmother’s funeral, also praised Xie Bingran’s talent and effort.

First High School naturally interviewed more leaders and teachers, discussing how they’d nurtured her.

They even exaggerated, calling her “model student with top character” and “always willing to help.”

…

Xu Chen locked himself in his room to study for two to three hours when a car engine sounded downstairs.

Heading down, he saw his father, Xu Zhiquan, had returned.

Mr. Xu strode in, smoking, his face alight with joy—he rubbed his son’s head with a huge hand.

“Fang Jun told me you aced the pitch and won the project!

My son’s amazing—far more capable than his old man!”

He looped Xu Chen’s arm in his and said,

“Come on, I’ll treat you to celebrate!”

Xu Chen smiled. “Dad, I need to keep studying tonight. Let’s just eat at home.”

Mr. Xu laughed heartily.

“Fine! There’s plenty in the fridge. You study; I’ll cook.”

…

About forty-five minutes later, Mr. Xu had laid out four or five hot dishes.

He called upstairs; Xu Chen answered and came down.

Fried pork, stuffed lotus root, mu shu pork, vinegar cabbage…

Mr. Xu poured himself a glass of baijiu and sat with his son.

They ate and chatted together.

Mr. Xu told him Fang Jun returned to Tiancheng tonight and had already started coordinating work with him.

Starting tomorrow, she’d officially join East Morning Star Co.

Also, during the May Day holiday, Mr. Xu secured two highway landscaping contracts—though unannounced, the contracts were already signed.

Mr. Xu sipped his baijiu and added:

“The Mechanical Factory deal is almost ready…”

Xu Chen said, “I’ve spoken with her about the factory plan. She was surprised but eager.”

Mr. Xu laughed.

“She told me she faced some bullying at the factory but never mentioned it at home.

Hearing we planned to win the factory bid, she was thrilled.”

Xu Chen clinked his tea cup against his father’s baijiu glass:

“To President Xu—may you find success!”