Chapter 282: Shadows of Victory

Cheng Hong walked up to the changing room door and knocked lightly.

She waited a few seconds before pushing it open, seeing Xie Bingran and Xu Chen still holding hands gently.

Coach Cheng cleared her throat before speaking.

“There’s a VIP from Japan who wants to meet Bing Ge, and then a few photo sessions before you’re free to go.”

Xu Chen smiled and pinched Xie Bingran’s cheek.

“Go on, champion!”

Xie Bingran let out a reluctant “Oh” and slowly let go of Xu Chen’s hand.

Cheng Hong stepped inside, holding a set of the national team’s long-sleeve uniform.

“Put this on.”

Xie Bingran said “Oh” and took it, slipping it on quickly.

She had worn this outfit earlier on the podium, but for the CCTV shoot, she stripped down to her competition tank top.

Now, for meeting the VIP, she needed to look a bit more formal.

Cheng Hong led them out of the changing room to the athletes’ rest area, leaving Xu Chen to wait there.

Xie Bingran turned back and told Xu Chen,

“Don’t run off.”

Xu Chen smiled. “I won’t.”

Xie Bingran pursed her lips in a smile and followed Coach Cheng away.

From a distance, Xu Chen watched as Cheng Hong took Xie Bingran, along with Coach Sun Mouping, to the side of the podium to shake hands with several sharply dressed Japanese guests.

Xu Chen couldn’t help but feel a bit emotional—his little rich girl had become a real big shot, mingling with levels far above his own.

It added a touch of pressure.

He needed to step up his game, or he’d feel unworthy of her!

Xu Chen glanced sideways at the stands opposite, where the group of fans was filing out orderly through the exits.

Coach Cheng had mentioned a special photo session later for Xie Bingran with those fans.

CCTV reporters and photographers would join in.

Xu Chen thought quickly and sent a message to Wu Feifei.

A short while later, he saw Xie Bingran being pulled into several group photos.

Then Cheng Hong led her along the track’s edge to the other side of the stadium.

There, dozens of fans in red shirts, waving national flags, were still cheering and clapping.

Xu Chen stood up for a better look—Wu Feifei had blended into the crowd and was being pushed to the front row by a few of the guys.

The CCTV sports channel reporter interviewed the fan group briefly before starting the photo session…

Soon, Xu Chen’s phone buzzed—it was a message from Wu Feifei:

“I’m going to be on CCTV! Thanks, Xu Chen brother!”

Xu Chen looked up as Wu Feifei and the fan group exited from the back.

Xie Bingran followed Coach Cheng quickly toward him.

The stadium’s speakers blared music, followed by the Japanese announcer’s voice.

The next event was about to start; Xu Chen glanced at the big screen—it seemed to be a long jump competition.

As Xie Bingran approached, a few people stopped her.

She paused and realized it was Akabane Kaoru, Tadashi Taguchi, and the other Japanese finalists.

They bowed to her, stumbling through broken English.

But Xie Bingran looked puzzled, her cold face showing confusion.

Finally, Tadashi Taguchi pulled out his phone and gestured—it turned out they wanted a group photo.

So, on the red track, the Chinese and Japanese competitors who had just raced posed together for memories.

Akabane Kaoru and the others each took individual photos with Xie Bingran and shook her hand politely.

Winning on the track truly earned respect.

“Xu Chen!”

Hearing his name, Xu Chen turned around.

Two girls in national team uniforms walked over—it was the “Shanghai Twins,” Bai Miao and Dong Jiajia.

Bai Miao flashed a sweet smile:

“Thought you’d be in the rest room!”

Xu Chen: “Coach Cheng brought me here.”

Dong Jiajia, more reserved, greeted Xu Chen shyly.

The national athletics team had first-string and second-string members.

Xie Bingran and Bai Miao were on the first string and shared a dorm.

Dong Jiajia had been out for a month due to injury after the May Shanghai National Youth Championships, and hadn’t fully recovered yet.

But based on her performance data, she’d made the second string and was now a teammate with Xie Bingran and Bai Miao.

Bai Miao glanced at Xie Bingran posing with the Japanese athletes and sighed slightly.

“Back in the May competition, I was thinking of overtaking Bing Ge…”

“But the gap just keeps growing. She’s just too overwhelming.”

Xu Chen gave an awkward smile, not sure how to comfort her.

Dong Jiajia said:

“Our school’s groups have been buzzing these past two days, all about Bing Ge’s news. My phone hasn’t stopped since morning.”

“Yeah, and you’re sort of alumni since she’s your junior!”

Dong Jiajia laughed:

“I saw in the group that Huahai Normal University is planning a special welcome ceremony, and the principal will present her with an award!”

As they talked, Cheng Hong and Xie Bingran finished up and walked over.

Seeing Xie Bingran, Bai Miao and Dong Jiajia both smiled and called out “Bing Ge.”

Cheng Hong brought Xie Bingran to Xu Chen and said with a smile,

“Make sure to bring her back tonight. Letting her out is already bending the rules.”

Xu Chen: “Don’t worry, Coach, I won’t lose track of Bing Ge.”

“It’s not for me—it’s for the nation! She’s a national treasure now. If you lose her, the whole country will come after you.”

Xu Chen: “……”

Cheng Hong grinned mischievously and walked away.

Bai Miao and Dong Jiajia exchanged looks; Bai Miao said,

“We won’t interrupt you two.”

She turned to Xie Bingran earnestly:

“Congratulations, Bing Ge!”

Dong Jiajia added: “Congratulations, Bing Ge!”

Xie Bingran finally smiled and nodded lightly.

Bai Miao hesitated, then opened her arms for a hug.

Xie Bingran frowned coldly.

Bai Miao looked upset: “I didn’t even make the finals. Can’t you give me a hug for comfort?”

Xu Chen: “……”

Under Xu Chen’s watchful eye, Xie Bingran awkwardly hugged her “senior” Bai Miao.

Bai Miao seemed cheered up and skipped off hand in hand with Dong Jiajia.

Xie Bingran turned to Xu Chen with a happy smile.

“I need to change out of this gear.”

“Okay.”

Xu Chen followed Xie Bingran back to the changing room.

He waited outside while she went in alone.

A moment later, Xie Bingran emerged with her large brown backpack.

She had swapped the national team uniform for a light athletic outfit that made her look sharp and energetic.

She said coolly, “Let’s go!”

With no one familiar around, she took Xu Chen’s hand and headed out quickly.

They hurried through the narrow passageway.

In a quiet corner, Xu Chen stopped and pulled her into a dim spot, wrapping her in his arms.

Xie Bingran rested her head on his shoulder, looking blissful.

“Hungry?” Xu Chen whispered.

“Not really… Just finished racing, so I can’t eat much.”

“Then let me hold you a bit longer.”

“Mhm.”

“I got you a mattress. I’ll bring it to you in Shanghai.”

Xie Bingran: “You have one?”

Xu Chen: “Yeah, Fang Jun sorted it out—she bought two. I’ve been using mine for half a month.”

Xie Bingran: “I want the one you’ve used. Keep the new one for yourself.”

Xu Chen: “Oh.”

Xie Bingran: “I need to stop by the hotel first—I’m all sweaty and need a shower.”

Xu Chen leaned in and sniffed. “You smell amazing even sweaty.”

Xie Bingran pushed him away with a cold, displeased glare.

Xu Chen laughed and pulled her back into a corner hug.

With no escape, she settled into his arms.

“We’ve got a lunch meetup. Besides Wu Feifei, you’ll meet ‘Fei Jie.'”

“Oh.”

“Where do you want to go this afternoon?”

“Anywhere with you.”

“Tonight, I’ll take you for some kaiseki cuisine—I found a great spot.”

“Sounds good.”

They lingered in the moment until Xu Chen’s phone kept vibrating, forcing them apart, though their hands stayed linked.

Xu Chen pulled out his phone—it was a mess of messages in the QQ group, but he ignored them for now.

They left the stadium and met Nie Fei and Wu Feifei at the east gate.

The two seemed to have hit it off already.

Wu Feifei was chatting animatedly with Nie Fei.

Spotting Xu Chen and Xie Bingran, they hurried over with smiles.

Wu Feifei greeted, “Bing Ge!”

They had already seen each other during the fan photos.

Xie Bingran had been surprised to spot Wu Feifei in the crowd.

Wu Feifei, ever outgoing, explained she came to Osaka for the competition and bumped into Xu Chen at the airport…

Xu Chen introduced Nie Fei to Xie Bingran.

Xie Bingran kept her cool facade around strangers but was politely warm.

Nie Fei, always gracious, said in a casual tone,

“Just call me Fei Jie!”

She sincerely congratulated Xie Bingran on her win.

Lunch was Fei Jie’s arrangement, at a nearby five-star hotel’s buffet.

Nie Fei knew her way around such events; a buffet let the athletes choose freely, avoiding menu hassles.

With Xu Chen and Wu Feifei there, it kept things light and relaxed, not too formal.

Xu Chen saw this as a chance to discuss Ran Bing Sports matters with Fei Jie.