Chapter 222: Wings of Triumph

Boarding gate.

By the time Xu Chen and Xie Bingran arrived, the line had stretched out long.

Xu Chen grabbed Xie Bingran’s hand and headed straight for the fast track.

“Your legs are long, so I got us business class tickets,” Xu Chen said with a smile.

……

Business class was far roomier and more comfortable than economy, especially with Bing Ge’s long legs—and the flight would take two or three hours.

The tickets cost a lot more, but it was worth it; after all, Bing Ge was now a national champion…

Besides, as the only heir to President Xu, Xu Chen needed to keep up appearances on business trips.

Xu Chen tried to help Xie Bingran stow her suitcase, and even a flight attendant stepped in, but Bing Ge casually lifted it with one hand and slid it into the overhead bin.

Effortlessly.

They settled into their seats and buckled up.

Xu Chen glanced at Xie Bingran and saw her lightly biting her lip, looking eager as she stared at him.

Xu Chen sighed inwardly and offered his hand; she took it gently.

Like a happy puppy, she snuggled closer to him.

……

The plane shook as it pierced through the atmosphere.

Both gripped hands a bit tighter.

……

……

After several jolts, the flight smoothed out, and the cabin lights flicked back on.

Now cruising in the stratosphere, passengers unbuckled and headed to the restroom.

Xu Chen turned to Xie Bingran:

“I need to handle some things.”

Xie Bingran looked a little resentful but let go of his hand.

Xu Chen smiled. “I’ll wrap it up quickly.”

Xie Bingran: “Oh.”

Xu Chen stood, pulled out his laptop from his bag.

For tomorrow’s victory celebration, Xie Bingran needed a simple speech draft.

Knowing Xie Bingran, she’d hate to say much, but with all those officials around, some grateful words were unavoidable.

Plus, the City Sports Bureau would present her with a special bonus on the spot, so Bing Ge had to express some thanks.

Bing Ge was grateful, of course, but her personality meant she wasn’t one for speeches in front of crowds.

As Xu Chen typed away, Xie Bingran leaned in and figured out what he was doing.

She frowned and said:

“Keep it short, okay? I’m not good with words…

I might mess it up and embarrass you.”

Xu Chen replied with a smile:

“How could you embarrass anyone? You’re the pride of the province and the city now.”

……

At 9:30 PM, the plane landed at the Provincial Capital Airport.

From there, it was another hour-and-a-half drive back to Tiancheng.

Xie Bingran had to head to her family’s old house in the village to pick up her household registration book.

She seemed to realize how late it was and started to say:

“Maybe…”

But Xu Chen had already gone to the information desk, asked a few questions, and returned:

“No problem, I’ll rent a car.”

Xie Bingran just said, “Oh.”

They quickly exited and entered the arrival hall.

Xu Chen looked around and said, “Wait here a minute; I need to grab some gifts.”

Xie Bingran: “Okay, I’ll hit the restroom…”

……

A few minutes later, they met up again.

Xu Chen carried two bags from a nearby bakery and sweets shop—who knew what he’d picked up.

Though a car rental service like Haopai wasn’t available in the Provincial Capital, Xu Chen found a state-run travel agency that offered rentals.

It’d cost more, but it was safe and reliable, and he could return it at their Tiancheng branch.

The car was a bit outdated, though.

Xu Chen browsed the options and settled on a Magotan with 30,000 miles on it.

Overall, northern regions had more Volkswagens, while Guangdong Province favored Japanese makes like Toyota—this tied back to the big manufacturers’ locations.

Soon, they handled the paperwork and got the car.

Xu Chen slid into the driver’s seat; this old relic had a vintage vibe.

He adjusted the seat, rearview mirror, and familiarized himself with the controls before starting the engine and easing out of the garage.

……

Once on the road, Xu Chen rolled down all the windows, letting fresh air rush in.

The musty smell inside vanished instantly.

At the same time, both noticed the northern temperatures were noticeably cooler than in Yangcheng.

Though Xu Chen knew Provincial Capital roads less than Yangcheng’s, the car had a Carlder navigation system…

This amazing map company was at its peak, dominating the market with hardly any rivals.

If Xu Chen remembered right, Carlder once held nearly 80% of the market, raking in cash just from selling to car makers.

Little did Carlder know, smartphones with map apps would soon wipe them out.

But it wasn’t Baidu or Gaode that killed them—it was big-screen smartphones…

So, what destroys you is never your own kind.

……

The car left the airport lights behind and headed toward the overpass ahead.

Xu Chen said, “If you’re tired, nap for a bit—it’s an hour and a half drive.”

Xie Bingran: “I’ll keep you company.”

Xu Chen chuckled.

……

Once on the highway, Xu Chen closed all the windows.

He had to admit, German cars had a solid chassis.

Especially after driving a Camry in Yangcheng, this Magotan felt worlds apart.

Of course, Japanese cars had their strengths too—like a Camry that might run ten years without issues, while a Magotan could start acting up after four or five…

……

Local news played in the car, and Xu Chen caught a segment, turning up the volume a notch.

[From Tiancheng City in our province, athlete Xie Bingran has just broken the 13-year-old women’s 100-meter hurdles record at the National Games…]

Xu Chen glanced at Xie Bingran with a teasing smile.

Xie Bingran said coolly:

“I’m starting to get numb to it.”

Xu Chen: “……”

……

……

They reached South River Village after 11 PM.

The rural road had no streetlights, and the night was pitch black.

Xu Chen cracked a window, and the fresh river mist drifted in.

Xie Bingran stayed quiet.

The familiar scent told her they were home.

Xu Chen wasn’t too familiar with the roads, having only been here once for Xie Bingran’s grandmother’s funeral.

The car bumped along, circling the big banyan tree at the village entrance and heading deeper.

The countryside at night was dead quiet, with barely any lights—just darkness.

A few barks from neighboring dogs broke the silence.

Xu Chen looked down and pointed.

Xie Bingran followed his gaze; under the headlights, a banner hung on the village main road.

“Congratulations to South River Village’s Xie Bingran on winning the National Games championship” and so on…

Xie Bingran didn’t seem too bothered and murmured:

“I’ll stay here tonight. Best to leave before dawn tomorrow…”

She hesitated, then asked shyly:

“What about you tonight…”

Xu Chen: “I’ll stay with you.”

“Okay.”

……