Chapter 197: Tiancheng’s Rising Star
by xennovelIn Tiancheng, at a certain meeting.
Secretary Qu took a phone call and hurried over to Wu Yongming.
“It’s from Feifei…”
As soon as he heard it was his daughter calling, Wu Yongming smiled and took the phone.
He chatted with his daughter Wu Feifei for a bit, his face lighting up with surprise and delight.
After hanging up, Wu Yongming had Secretary Qu turn on the big TV in the meeting room.
Wu Yongming said with a smile:
“Our Tiancheng pride has brought more honor to our city!”
The group of leaders, big and small, turned to look at the TV screen.
It was the City TV Station, broadcasting a report on Xie Bingran’s win at the National Games…
The City Sports Bureau Director Gao Guangya said with a smile:
“We’ve been in meetings, so I haven’t had a chance to report this good news to the leaders yet!
The Publicity Department has already teamed up for a ton of promotional work!”
The leaders watched the report on TV and couldn’t help but exclaim:
“A national champion… that’s incredible!”
“More than incredible—this is Tiancheng’s first national champion!”
“Has she already beaten the last Asian Games champion’s record? That means we might snag an Asian Games title by year’s end?”
“Secretary Xia! Your ‘Tiancheng Support Group’ promotion is spot-on!”
“It really is! Not forced, not fake, just natural!
The key is it shows Tiancheng’s warmth and real emotion!”
…
Secretary Xia Gang of the Publicity Department beamed with pride, unable to hide his satisfaction.
He said with a smile:
“This is just our Tiancheng City TV’s promotion!
That big ‘Tiancheng Support Group’ banner made it onto the CCTV Sports Channel live broadcast!
Tiancheng really shone this time!
I’m having people edit and collect the video footage, and I’ll share it with everyone later today!
There are more follow-up news promotions too—you’ll see them starting tomorrow!”
Wu Yongming said with a smile:
“Secretary Xia and the Publicity Department deserve special recognition!
Xie Bingran won a national championship for the province, but thanks to the City’s Publicity Department’s early planning, Tiancheng has boosted its reputation and goodwill too!
Secretary Xia, your ‘Tiancheng Support Group’ packaging is clever and worth learning from!”
Wu Yongming paused:
“I just heard that East Morning Star Co. was involved in this promotion project, right?”
Xia Gang hesitated for a moment, then remembered the city’s recent support for East Morning Star, guessing Wu Yongming had direct info channels there:
“Yes! East Morning Star Advertising, under East Morning Star Co., provided a lot of planning help for this promotion.”
Wu Yongming nodded with a smile:
“Then Teacher Xu Chen deserves credit too.”
In fact, Wu Feifei’s call had mentioned Xu Chen’s name several times.
And her excitement had surprised Wu Yongming.
Xia Gang said with a smile: “Exactly, the project planning came from Teacher Xu Chen!
Also, the ‘Tiancheng Support Group’ that went was organized through Xu Chen—mostly Xie Bingran’s former classmates, friends, and teachers.”
Everyone knew about the city’s recent strong support for East Morning Star Co., especially since Wu Yongming had publicly backed it multiple times, so they chimed in:
“East Morning Star Co. is truly Tiancheng’s star company!
Not only is the electric vehicle factory about to take off, but they’re also helping with city promotions!”
“Absolutely! Mayor Wu had the vision to spot East Morning Star Co.’s huge value early on!”
…
Wu Yongming waved his hand with a smile, signaling everyone to stop.
He stayed quiet for a moment, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.
In truth, Wu Yongming’s ability to advance further was closely tied to East Morning Star.
As a deputy, he oversaw development reform and sports.
On the development reform side, he not only handled the Bright Factory’s bankruptcy restructuring smoothly but also helped the city plan for future industries—all thanks to Xu Zhiquan and East Morning Star Co.’s major contributions.
On the sports side, Xie Bingran, the national team athlete, was discovered by Xu Chen.
The Xu father and son have played a crucial role for both Wu Yongming personally and for Tiancheng…
And yet, East Morning Star Co. and Xu Zhiquan are so principled and straightforward, always knowing their limits, rules, and timing.
They know exactly what to say and do… President Xu keeps a clear account in his mind.
For the city and Wu Yongming, supporting East Morning Star Co. and Chenfeng Technology is the safest and best choice after weighing all options.
In Tiancheng, no other company or entrepreneur can replace East Morning Star Co. and Xu Zhiquan.
…
…
Wu Yongming pulled his thoughts back and turned to Director Gao Guangya of the City Sports Bureau, saying:
“Congratulations to Director Gao too! Xie Bingran’s national championship is a major milestone for Tiancheng’s sports scene!”
Director Gao Guangya said with a smile:
“Mayor Wu, I was just about to consult you…
We just got word from the Provincial Sports Bureau that they’re awarding 150,000 for Xie Bingran’s National Games win.
Now that she’s broken a 13-year-old record, I suspect the provincial bonus will go up.
The City Sports Bureau has tentatively set a 50,000 cash reward for Xie Bingran!
What do you think?”
Wu Yongming said with a smile:
“Of course that’s fine! Xie Bingran has brought honor to the province and the city, so the Sports Bureau should show appreciation.
This will greatly boost Tiancheng’s overall sports development and talent training!
We need to use Xie Bingran as an example to help more talented and hardworking kids in Tiancheng stand out!”
…
Xia Gang and Gao Guangya exchanged a glance.
Then Secretary Xia Gang from the Publicity Department spoke:
“The Publicity Department has more promotions lined up to leverage Xie Bingran and boost Tiancheng’s fame and influence.
Also, the City Publicity Department and Sports Bureau want to throw a celebration banquet for Xie Bingran, combined with her graduation party.
I’ve discussed it with Director Gao several times but haven’t had a chance to check with the leaders yet!”
Wu Yongming: “Great idea! Perfect arrangement!
Getting Xie Bingran back to Tiancheng for a splendid celebration banquet is timely and essential!”
Xia Gang said:
“With your approval, we’ll push ahead.
The banquet will be hosted by the City Publicity Department and Sports Bureau, with East Morning Star Co. and Chenfeng Technology as co-sponsors.
East Morning Star Co. has already gotten involved, and Teacher Xu Chen mentioned we can invite Xie Bingran’s national team coaches to join!
Leader, do you have time to attend?”
Wu Yongming smiled:
“Just coordinate with Secretary Qu for my schedule!”
Xia Gang and Gao Guangya exchanged another look:
“Wonderful! Thank you for your support!
City TV and other media will coordinate another round of promotions!”
…
…
In Yangcheng, at Tianhe Stadium.
Xie Bingran had just stepped down from the podium and was surrounded by a swarm of media reporters.
Besides local Yangcheng media, there was also CCTV Sports Channel.
The interviews covered not just champion Xie Bingran but also the silver and bronze medalists, those former Asian Games gold and bronze winners.
At seventeen, Xie Bingran pulled off an upset against these top domestic short-track stars, making it one of the biggest highlights of the National Games.
And breaking that 13-year-old record made her gold even more impressive!
A crowd of reporters swarmed her, microphones thrust in her face.
Xie Bingran kept her usual cool expression, not great at these chatty situations.
Luckily, her ‘big sister’ Feng Youping stepped in, fielding most of the questions.
Xie Bingran just stood by, nodding occasionally.
Then head coach Sun Mouping and team leader Cheng Hong arrived.
They knew Xie Bingran wasn’t one for talking, so they handled the tough reporter questions for her.
Still, those big cameras stayed locked on the silent Xie Bingran.
Whether on the stadium’s LED screens or the CCTV live broadcast, they kept showing that refined, cool face of the short-haired girl.
Meanwhile, on forums like Tianya and Mop, topics about this new women’s 100-meter hurdles champion were buzzing.
[The National Games’ top beauty! So strikingly handsome!]
[Who can tell me why she’s called ‘Ice Bro’?]
[Totally smitten by this champion—wife or husband material?]
[Never seen such a handsome girl…]
[Just watching hurdles and now the audience is in love?]
…
…
In the stadium’s Section 12 stands.
Feng Siliang had arranged for City TV reporters and cameramen to interview the ‘Tiancheng Support Group’.
Teacher Chen Ming spoke for First High School, looking a bit nervous.
Huang Qianqian, as Xie Bingran’s schoolmate and biggest fan, grabbed the mic and gushed sincerely…
Li Rui and Zhao Feng weren’t great with words, so after fumbling, they just became background in the shots.
Feng Siliang, representing the City Publicity Department, gave a warm, official speech that highlighted Secretary Xia’s directives perfectly.
He’d thought about pulling Xu Zhiquan in for a few words, but President Xu had slipped off to smoke somewhere.
Feng Siliang glanced around but couldn’t spot Teacher Xu Chen.
…
…
Xie Bingran clutched a big bouquet of flowers and hurried through the athlete tunnel, looking eager.
Along the way, she passed plenty of national and other provincial team athletes, who murmured:
“Congrats, Ice Bro!”
Xie Bingran nodded slightly but didn’t stop for chit-chat.
“Ice Bro!”
Someone called out timidly from behind.
Xie Bingran paused and saw Bai Miao with teary eyes.
In the earlier race, Bai Miao ran 13.28 seconds, landing fourth and just missing a medal.
That time matched Xie Bingran’s previous National Youth Championships record, but Ice Bro had shattered it with a 12-second run, nearly crushing Bai Miao’s spirit…
Bai Miao approached, pouting with a pitiful look.
Xie Bingran glanced at the flowers in her hand and handed them over to Bai Miao.
Bai Miao: “…”
She felt tears welling up again: “I lost so badly, and you’re just giving me your victory flowers…”
Xie Bingran frowned, not seeing the issue.
Bai Miao pouted: “I don’t have much to say, just congrats!”
Xie Bingran: “Oh…”
Bai Miao: “Ice Bro, since I can’t beat you, can you at least hug me?”
Xie Bingran: “?”
Bai Miao didn’t wait for an answer; tears in her eyes, she lunged with arms out…
Xie Bingran wrinkled her brow and instinctively raised her right arm, pressing her palm against Bai Miao’s forehead.
She held her at arm’s length.
Bai Miao’s head was pinned, her arms reaching but not touching Xie Bingran, still holding that bouquet oddly…
The scene looked strange.
Suddenly, Bai Miao burst into sobs.
“I’m this miserable, and you won’t even comfort me?”
Xie Bingran: “?”
As ‘Ice Bro,’ she really didn’t get these mysterious girl demands.
But she copied what Xu Chen might do and gently patted Bai Miao’s head.
“…”
Bai Miao wiped her tears.
“Fine, let me touch your gold medal at least.”
“Oh…”
Xie Bingran fished it out of her pocket and handed over the heavy gold medal.
Bai Miao took it carefully and stroked it.
“Can I keep it?”
“…”
Bai Miao pouted again but handed the medal back.
“Congrats, Ice Bro. I’m heading out.”
As she spoke, Bai Miao wiped more tears and walked away with the flowers.
Xie Bingran thought for a second and said softly:
“Your technique is solid, but your hurdle form lacks consistency, throwing off your rhythm.
Also, you’re lifting your legs too high—it’s unnecessary…”
With that, Xie Bingran turned and strode away.
Bai Miao stood there, stunned for a moment, then sniffed the flowers in her arms.
…
Xie Bingran dashed through the rest area and reached Exit 7.
Behind the barriers, Xu Chen stood smiling.
“Hungry?” Xu Chen asked.
“Starving,” Xie Bingran replied with a smile.
“Can you leave now?”
“Wait for me—I’ll change clothes quick.”
“Okay.”
Xie Bingran turned and headed to the changing room.
Xu Chen waited a bit, and then team leader Cheng Hong approached.
“Hello, Coach Cheng!” Xu Chen greeted quickly.
Cheng Hong smiled: “A few bigwigs wanted lunch with Xie Bingran, but she blew them off to find you.”
“…”
Xu Chen chuckled awkwardly: “Coach Cheng, got time for lunch with us?”