Chapter 19: Caught in the Spotlight

Xie Bingran: “What’s wrong?”

Xu Chen: “I’ll coach you first on Sunday!”

Xie Bingran: “I can’t, I have to go back to see Grandma this weekend.”

Xu Chen: “Perfect timing then. I’m heading back to town too. Let’s meet at our old middle school field!”

Xie Bingran fell silent for a moment.

Memories of middle school suddenly came flooding back.

Those wonderful and terrible moments…

“Okay… but after practice, you have to treat me to a meal.”

Xu Chen beamed happily.

…

…

The next day, rumors were already spreading through the campus.

Truth and lies mingled, and there were many versions.

But the key details were more or less the same.

Bing Ge ran into danger, and Xu Chen from Class 5 led people to rescue him…

The incident blew up; they even went to the police station, and the Discipline Office Director came to bail people out…

It involved people from “the streets,” even fugitives…

And so on.

Gossip never died down.

The main players—Xu Chen, Xie Bingran, Li Rui, and others—kept their mouths shut.

One thing was clear: Xu Chen’s popularity and buzz shot up again.

Xu Chen felt helpless about it.

He blamed Bing Ge’s reputation; it thrust him into every spotlight.

But Xu Chen didn’t mind too much, still focusing his energy on college entrance exam prep.

Friends who knew him well, like Chen Dahai, came by to check on him.

But since it involved Xie Bingran’s privacy, Xu Chen cited “case confidentiality” and didn’t reveal much.

This only sparked more speculation and heated debate.

…

During morning-exercise break, Xu Chen walked with his class toward the athletic field.

He joked with Chen Dahai and the others but noticed people staring and whispering around him.

Yeah… he really felt like he was on the hot seat.

Some acquaintances who barely knew him ran over to confirm things. Xu Chen ignored them. Chen Dahai stepped up and blocked them all.

…

At lunch, Xu Chen, Chen Dahai, and a few roommates headed to the cafeteria for food.

With the exam approaching, eating off-campus took too long, so everyone defaulted to the cafeteria.

Finish quickly and get back to studying.

The Gaokao had entered its final crunch.

Now every bit of review was high value. Each remembered question or fact might show up on the exam.

Xu Chen sat quietly at a corner table and ate.

Suddenly a few people passed by and called out quietly, “Brother Chen.”

Xu Chen glanced back, didn’t recognize them, and guessed they were from Xie Bingran’s circle.

They said nothing else, just called “Brother Chen” and walked away.

A while later, another group of boys bowed and called “Brother Chen” as they passed…

In the time it took to have a meal, several groups came by to call him “Brother Chen,” leaving him speechless.

It seemed yesterday’s incident had made him a big name in Xie Bingran and Li Rui’s circles.

Chen Dahai and the roommates looked impressed.

“Young Master Xu, now you’re Brother Chen, so you’ve got to watch over us!”

“Should we start calling you Brother Chen too?”

Xu Chen didn’t bother replying. He looked around but didn’t see Xie Bingran.

He suddenly remembered: when leaving the station last night, the young female officer said Xie Bingran would have to go there again at noon today.

Xu Chen was about to lower his gaze when he spotted the nonconformist girl Zhao Linlin.

Zhao Linlin saw Xu Chen too but, unlike before, she avoided his eyes and left.

Xu Chen frowned, unsure if she was avoiding him on her own or if Xie Bingran had asked her to.

Of course, it might not be Xie Bingran; it could be Ma Xiang from yesterday evening.

That hooligan from the neighboring vocational school was also one of Zhao Linlin’s “brothers.”

After learning his “big fool” identity, he might have ended things with Zhao Linlin and something could’ve happened.

And when Ma Xiang blocked him in the alley, it was unclear if Zhao Linlin had arranged it or Ma Xiang acted on his own.

But none of that mattered anymore.

As for Zhao Linlin, Xu Chen really didn’t want to care about anything.

In his past life, he wasted so much time, energy, and money on her.

Now he just wanted to keep his distance, no more entanglements.

The meal finished quickly; the cafeteria food was as bland as ever.

Xu Chen stood to clear his tray when two short-haired boys appeared behind him.

“Brother Chen, let us help you clear that.”

Without waiting for his consent, they grabbed his tray and dishes, then turned and took them to the collection area.

Xu Chen: “…”

He was completely baffled.

Watching the two boys’ backs, they didn’t look like seniors—probably second or first years.

He guessed they were also from Xie Bingran’s side.

Or maybe just kids who’ve benefited from Xie Bingran’s help.

Chen Dahai, holding his own tray, couldn’t help but remark:

“Brother Chen, you’re so respected!”

Xu Chen laughed wryly and headed out of the cafeteria.

“Brother Chen, slow down! Wait for us!”

…

…

A week passed in no time.

On Friday afternoon after school, Xu Chen returned to his dorm to pack dirty clothes and left the campus.

At the public parking lot across the school, he spotted his father, Xu Zhiquan, from afar.

Xu Zhiquan stood beside a Jinbei van, a cigarette dangling from his mouth.

Today he wasn’t wearing his usual baggy suit but a dirty work uniform, and his once-perfect pomade had been raked back carelessly.

Seeing his son, a warm smile spread across Xu Zhiquan’s face.

But he didn’t come forward; he opened the van door and got in first.

Xu Chen, puzzled, slung his bag and got into the passenger seat.

“You must be hungry. Let’s grab some noodles first!”

“Dad, why did you hide in the car as soon as you saw me?”

Xu Zhiquan chuckled and said,

“Your old man’s in these dirty clothes; if your classmates saw me, I’d embarrass you.”

Xu Chen looked speechless.

“Dad, whatever you’re wearing, I’d never be ashamed of you.”

Xu Zhiquan smiled,

“Boys your age care about appearances; I get it, I’ve been there!

I just got back from Beishan delivering seedlings and didn’t have time to change.

Besides, this beat-up van can’t exactly boost my image as your chauffeur.”

Xu Chen glanced at his dad’s forehead, still smudged with dirt, and wiped it off with his shirt sleeve.

Xu Zhiquan froze for a moment then let him, smiling wide.

“Son, once your old man can afford a nicer car, I’ll pick you up at the school gate in style!”

Xu Chen: “What are you talking about?”

Xu Zhiquan laughed,

“I was waiting in the car and saw several Audi A6s picking up kids at the gate—must be from well-off families.

Just wait till I make more money and get an A8 to fetch you.”