Chapter 209: Whispers in the City

Xu Chen glanced back and saw Fang Jun heading off in another direction.

“Let’s split up and explore, then call when we’re ready to meet,” Xu Chen said.

Fang Jun paused for a moment but agreed.

Xu Chen turned and quickly walked toward where Xie Bingran was.

On a bench under a large tree, Xie Bingran sat hugging her backpack, lost in thought.

Her long legs stretched out in front, half-leaning against the wooden backrest, her posture casual yet commanding.

Amid the stream of passing tourists, she still looked a bit isolated.

Sensing someone approaching, Bing Ge grew alert.

She turned and saw it was Xu Chen.

A hint of joy crossed her face; she pulled in her legs to stand, but then settled back with her backpack, making space beside her.

Xu Chen smiled and sat down next to Xie Bingran.

“Why are you by yourself? Where are Wu Feifei and Huang Qianqian?”

Xie Bingran: “They went to the restroom.”

Xu Chen: “Did they leave you out?”

Xie Bingran: “No, they’re really nice to me.”

Xu Chen: “Are you hungry?”

Xie Bingran: “I’m okay… What about you?”

As she spoke, she rummaged in her backpack and pulled out a nut energy bar.

It was clearly from the training team’s supplies.

Xu Chen smiled: “Not really hungry, but I feel like having some.”

Xie Bingran gripped the bar lightly in her hand, and it snapped neatly in two with a crisp sound.

She tore open the wrapper with a quick rip and held it out to Xu Chen.

Xu Chen grinned, picked up one piece, and popped it into his mouth, chewing with a satisfying crunch.

Xie Bingran smiled and tossed the other half into her mouth.

As he chewed, Xu Chen mumbled, “This is better than that protein bar from last time!”

Xie Bingran: “If you like it, I can stock up on more.”

Xu Chen: “Back then, I was the one sharing cookies with you, and now it’s flipped.”

Xie Bingran: “Isn’t that okay?”

Xu Chen: “It’s great, just kind of fun.”

Xie Bingran suddenly glanced behind them, then said:

“Let’s move somewhere else…”

Xu Chen didn’t quite get it but stood up with her anyway.

They weaved through clusters of tourists and found another empty bench under a tree in a quieter corner.

Xie Bingran brushed her short hair from her forehead and said coolly:

“They’ll probably be out soon; let’s hide for a bit.”

Xu Chen shook his head with a helpless smile, realizing she just wanted more time alone with him.

“Thirsty?”

Xu Chen asked while pulling a bottle of mineral water from his backpack.

He’d grabbed it earlier from the Odyssey.

Xie Bingran took the water, twisted off the cap in one smooth motion.

She paused before drinking, tilted her head back, and poured it straight into her mouth with big gulps.

Then she handed the half-empty bottle to Xu Chen.

Xu Chen took it with a laugh and downed the rest in one go.

Xie Bingran wore a white athletic quick-dry T-shirt and light gray workout pants.

Xu Chen glanced down, deep in thought.

Caught in his gaze, Xie Bingran looked awkward; she pulled her brown backpack up to cover her chest.

Xu Chen: “I’m planning to start a sports brand for you, like I mentioned before.”

Xie Bingran: “Oh… yeah, you told me once.”

Xu Chen: “You still have shares in it. The name’s ‘Ran Bing’.”

Once we get to Shanghai for university, I’ll start working on it.”

He looked at Xie Bingran seriously and said:

“If we take it public, we’ll both be set for life!”

Xie Bingran blinked her big eyes, not fully grasping it, just saying, “Oh.”

Xu Chen continued:

“The Ran Bing company is already separated from my dad’s business.”

“Down the line, there might be funding involved, but you’ll always be a major shareholder, along with me.”

Xie Bingran pursed her lips: “Just you and me?”

Xu Chen: “I told you, I’ll make sure you’re wealthy!”

Xie Bingran lowered her head slightly, her eyes flickering:

“You’ve already made me rich. Today, Coach Cheng messaged me…”

“I won the championship, so the province, the city, and the team are all giving me bonuses—almost 300,000 yuan.”

“I have no idea what to do with 300,000…”

She looked at Xu Chen:

“Maybe I should give it to you?”

Xu Chen looked exasperated: “You’re such a naive girl—watch out for getting scammed by some guy!”

Xie Bingran: “No way, I only trust you.”

She muttered under her breath, “Unless you trick me…”

Xu Chen: “Keep your money safe. Don’t lend it out or fall for any investment schemes.”

“Buy whatever you want, even a car or a house if you feel like it!”

Xie Bingran: “Okay.”

Xu Chen: “For big purchases, talk to me first; I can help you decide.”

Xie Bingran: “Sure…”

She looked up at Xu Chen earnestly:

“What do you want? I’ll buy it for you!”

Xu Chen found it amusing and reached out to pat her head:

“You’re not that poor desk mate who couldn’t afford meals anymore.”

“Now you’re like a little rich girl, buying things for me.”

Xie Bingran: “I’m serious—you tell me what you want, as long as I can afford it!”

As she spoke, a touch of urgency showed in her eyes.

Xu Chen paused, feeling a soft spot in his heart stir…

“Silly girl, I don’t need money…”

“Just save yours and don’t spend it recklessly.”

Xie Bingran blinked and said, “Okay.”

…

“There you two are, hiding out here!”

A voice came from behind—it was Wu Feifei, Huang Qianqian, and Fang Jun.

The three had somehow met up and stumbled upon Xu Chen and Xie Bingran.

Wu Feifei grinned mischievously: “What’s the secret chat about?”

Xu Chen: “Just badmouthing you guys!”

Xie Bingran: “…”

Wu Feifei: “Xu Chen, you’re here! Take us out for more fun and good food!”

Xu Chen: “Where do you want to go?”

Wu Feifei: “Anywhere, you’re in charge.”

Xu Chen: “You’ve probably hit the old West Gate already, but the older temples might not be your thing?”

Wu Feifei: “We don’t mind!”

Xu Chen: “Liu Rong Temple and Guangxiao Temple are nearby; we can walk there.”

“Later, when it gets dark, we can take a boat for a Pearl River night cruise…”

Huang Qianqian lit up with excitement: “Yes! Let’s do it!”

…

Yangcheng has four major Buddhist sites, and Guangxiao Temple and Liu Rong Temple are right next to each other, near Zhongshan Memorial Hall.

What ties these ancient temples together is the Zen patriarch Huineng…

Xu Chen led the group on foot to the closer Liu Rong Temple.

Looking up at the ancient signboard, Fang Jun remarked:

“It’s inscribed by Su Dongpo…”

As their free guide, Xu Chen shared a quick bit about Su Dongpo’s connection to Liu Rong Temple—like how he saw the six banyan trees and named it that, leading to its fame.

Stepping into the temple, a solemn religious atmosphere enveloped them.

Towering above was the Flower Pagoda.

Climbing it offered a view of all of old Yangcheng, which was why Xu Chen wanted to come.

But glancing up, he saw the entrance to the pagoda was blocked off.

Even reborn in 2006, he still couldn’t climb that tower…

Liu Rong Temple wasn’t huge, but visitors streamed in and out.

Fang Jun, Wu Feifei, and Huang Qianqian found it fascinating; they visited each hall, bowing with genuine reverence.

Xu Chen, a die-hard atheist at heart, treated it as just a scenic spot.

Xie Bingran seemed to see it as a novelty too, sticking close to Xu Chen.

Wu Feifei sighed: “Who knew in the middle of the bustling city, there’s such a peaceful ancient temple…”

They wandered over to the Hall of the Sixth Patriarch.

Inside stood a bronze statue of Huineng, from the Northern Song Dynasty, enduring through history.

Huang Qianqian read the description quietly:

“Bodhi originally has no tree, the bright mirror has no stand; originally there’s nothing, so where does dust alight…”

Xu Chen suddenly felt a wave of ‘middle-aged man’ reflections.

Though an atheist, the wisdom of Buddhism and Zen could still ease some inner conflicts.

Wu Feifei gazed at the plaque:

“Respond without dwelling… What does that mean?”

She turned to Xu Chen.

Xu Chen: “Why are you looking at me?”

Wu Feifei: “Out of all of us, if anyone gets it, it’s you!”

“…”

Since he knew a bit about these references, Xu Chen explained briefly:

“‘Respond without dwelling and give rise to the mind’ is one of the key lines from the Diamond Sutra.”

“Back in the day, Huineng was just a woodcutter who couldn’t even read, but hearing that line sparked his enlightenment, leading him to Zen…”

Wu Feifei laughed: “I knew you’d know!”

Fang Jun: “Respond without dwelling… but what’s it really mean?”

Xu Chen: “Buddhist texts are translations, and the translator Kumārajīva was from India…”

“So across cultures and languages, some concepts are vague and hard to pin down.”

“Any explanation misses the point.”

Fang Jun: “You sound like an old soul.”

Xu Chen just chuckled without replying.

…

After leaving Liu Rong Temple, Xu Chen checked the time and suggested they grab dinner.

The girls all perked up:

“Xu Chen, what’s on the menu?”

Xu Chen: “Taking you for zhe zhe hot pot.”

Huang Qianqian: “What’s that?”

Wu Feifei: “Sounds delicious already!”

…

Wu Feifei made a call, and soon the Buick GL8 pulled up.

The car cruised along East Wind East Road and stopped near the Industrial University.

They got out and spotted a modest street-side shop with a “Hui Ji” sign.

This place was understated now, but in a decade or so, it would earn a Michelin star and be packed.

That’s the charm of Yangcheng—many food spots stay the same for years, with menus that never change, keeping that authentic taste.

For Xu Chen, it was like getting a head start on the future.

They squeezed around a window seat, the five of them.

Xu Chen took the menu and started jotting down orders with a pencil.

Zhe zhe bullfrog, octopus zhe zhe, stir-fried crab in salt and pepper, braised squab, cured meat clay pot rice…

And for dessert, ginger-collided milk and black sesame ice cream.

Once the table was full, the girls dove in silently, lost in the flavors.

“How can I ever leave Yangcheng? This is amazing!”

“What’s the secret to this zhe zhe hot pot?”

“Who came up with clay pot rice? That crispy bottom is perfect!”

“Eating with Xu Chen is the best!”…

Fang Jun chewed on a piece of squab and stretched his arms.

Xu Chen looked on, exasperated:

“Hold off on more drinks until we’re on the boat; if you get drunk now, I can’t deal with you.”

Fang Jun’s face was blank, but he seemed defeated.

His phone buzzed; he pulled it out, read for a bit, and said:

“Your dad’s side… things are moving.”

The message was probably from Li Rui.

Xu Chen was taken aback, curiosity bubbling up.

His father, Xu Zhiquan, had been acting mysteriously lately.

Wu Feifei jumped in, full of gossip:

“What happened?”

Xu Chen: “…”

He glanced at Fang Jun, signaling to discuss it later.

…

…

After dinner, night had fully fallen.

Wu Feifei called, and the driver brought the car around.

They piled in and headed straight for the Pearl River dock.

…

Half an hour later, on the top deck of the Pearl River cruise.

Wu Feifei and Huang Qianqian stood at the bow, faces lit with excitement as they shouted into the night wind.

Xu Chen and Xie Bingran sat at the bar area, staring out at the riverside lights, lost in thought.

The Pearl River New City was still under construction, a vast work site in the darkness.

In the distance, the Canton Tower wasn’t finished yet, probably more than halfway up…

Having seen it complete in his past life, Xu Chen now viewed the half-built structure amid the construction chaos, and it oddly felt like ruins.

It was as if, reborn twenty years ago, he was also peering into some distant future.

Like in a sci-fi apocalypse, Pearl River New City had crumbled into wasteland, that tower collapsed in the ruins of time.

Xu Chen turned and noticed Xie Bingran watching him intently with her big eyes.

“What’s up?” Xu Chen asked.

A river breeze swept by, tousling the strands of hair on Xie Bingran’s forehead.

She lowered her head: “I’m thinking of middle school, when you sat right next to me.”

Xu Chen: “Back then, I’d slip you cookies under the desk.”

Xie Bingran smiled: “We didn’t dare chew; we’d just let them dissolve in our mouths…”

Fang Jun wandered over unsteadily, a fresh beer in hand:

“You two whispering again.”

Xu Chen: “Ease up on the drinks, Fang, don’t get wasted again.”

Xie Bingran glanced at Xu Chen, her eyes conveying something unspoken.

Xu Chen smiled and turned to Fang Jun:

“What else do you want to drink, Fang? I’ll get it for you!”