Chapter 299: Athletes’ Reunion

It’s only been a little over a month since I last saw him, and Chen Dahai had already put on a whole layer of fat. It’s ironic, given he’s at a sports university.

As soon as Chen Dahai spotted Xu Chen, he grinned and hurried over, ready to toss out a couple of crude jokes as his way of greeting—until he saw Bing Ge step out from the passenger seat.

He quickly switched to a picture of innocence, murmuring respectfully, “Hey, Bing Ge.”

Xie Bingran kept her cool, aloof expression but nodded politely at Chen Dahai.

After all, he was Xu Chen’s good buddy.

Chen Dahai was still a bit awkward and intimidated around Bing Ge.

Xu Chen recalled the start of their senior year when Chen Dahai had gotten into some trouble and ended up getting beaten by Zhao Feng.

But later, Zhao Feng became Bing Ge’s underling…

To host Xu Chen and Xie Bingran, Chen Dahai really went all out.

This restaurant near the sports university was clearly a high-end spot—not cheap at all.

With his family in the sports system, Chen Dahai’s situation was decent, so Xu Chen didn’t comment further.

They headed up to the second-floor private room, where Fang Jun, Chen Ming, Tian Fangfang, and Tian Chaorui were already seated.

As the trio entered, everyone stood to offer Bing Ge the prime seat, clearly wanting the sports star to take the head spot.

Xie Bingran felt a bit uncomfortable and glanced at Xu Chen.

Xu Chen smiled and said:

“It’s better if Teacher Chen Ming and Teacher Fangfang take the main seats. We’re just the younger crowd; we’ll sit below.”

Chen Dahai jumped in right away to help his buddy out.

He chuckled and guided Chen Ming to the head of the table.

Chen Ming laughed heartily and settled into the spot.

Teacher Tian Fangfang smiled along and took the seat next to him.

Tian Chaorui looked at Chen Dahai and said with a grin:

“Dahai’s really made it big! This place doesn’t come cheap!”

Chen Dahai: “For hosting Bing Ge and Xu Chen, I had to get it just right!”

Tian Chaorui and Chen Dahai were quite familiar now.

Back at First High School, they were both on the sports team, and now they were first-year students at the Provincial Sports University.

The difference was, Tian Chaorui was still active with the Provincial Team, while Chen Dahai had mostly stepped back from the training field, focusing on something like sports education.

He still had daily workouts, but they were much lighter, which explained the weight gain.

Before long, the server laid out a full table of dishes.

Chen Dahai smiled and said:

“Since Bing Ge and Xu Chen are away, I ordered all local favorites!”

Xu Chen patted Chen Dahai on the shoulder:

“You’ve got good taste, brother!”

The meal was relaxed and fun, full of easy chatter.

Even with teachers Chen Ming and Tian Fangfang there, they weren’t much older and blended right in with the group.

Most everyone was into sports, so they chatted about training and competitions with Bing Ge, leaving Xu Chen out of the loop—he couldn’t follow and even found it confusing.

The technical details of track events sounded pretty complex just from listening.

Top athletes didn’t rely solely on talent or raw strength; as they advanced, it became a highly specialized science.

Fang Jun, usually quiet and reserved, just focused on his food and seemed content.

Xu Chen noticed that Fang Jun and Xie Bingran were already pretty close, with a good rapport in private.

Neither said much, but they occasionally commented on the food.

After the meal, everyone thanked Chen Dahai sincerely.

Xu Chen couldn’t help adding:

“You picked a great spot—this is the best hometown food I’ve had in months!”

Chen Dahai chuckled humbly: “Then when I head to Shanghai, you better roll out the red carpet for me, Xu!”

Xu Chen: “Hurry up and come then!”

Teacher Chen Ming checked the time and said:

“Bing Ge needs to head over.”

He turned to Xu Chen: “You guys stick with Dahai. See you at school this afternoon!”

With that, he pulled out two pinned badges and handed them to Xu Chen:

“When you get to the venue with Chen Dahai, just pin these on your chest.”

Xu Chen took them: “Thanks a lot, Teacher Chen Ming!”

Xie Bingran glanced at Xu Chen, a hint of resentment in her eyes, but she followed Chen Ming and Tian Fangfang out obediently.

Tian Chaorui stayed behind; she’d head straight back to school.

Downstairs.

Xu Chen slid into the driver’s seat, Chen Dahai took the passenger side.

Fang Jun and Tian Chaorui went to the back…

Chen Dahai looked around the car and teased:

“Look at you, Xu—driving around in style!”

Xu Chen released the handbrake and turned the car toward the exit:

“It’s from the factory; I’m just borrowing it for a couple of days off.”

Chen Dahai: “I saw the news—your family’s business is booming bigger than ever!”

He smiled with a touch of envy: “Chenfeng Technology—that’s your family’s deal…”

I’m so lucky to know you and Bing Ge—it really boosts my status!”

In the back, Tian Chaorui blinked her eyes; she wasn’t up on Xu Chen’s family stuff.

Not wanting to pry, she pulled out her phone and searched for news on ‘Chenfeng Technology’.

After skimming a few articles, her eyes widened in surprise.

“Bing Ge’s guy”—his family had actually bought out the Bright Factory in the city?!

Xu Chen drove straight into the Provincial Sports University.

Chen Dahai pointed the way, looping through the campus until they reached the small auditorium.

They parked and got out.

Xu Chen glanced around; this ‘sports university’ was nothing like the others.

It felt a lot like the Xin Zhuang Training Base—mostly indoor and outdoor sports fields and training rooms as far as the eye could see.

No sign of lecture halls or libraries…

Led by Chen Dahai and Tian Chaorui, they headed quickly toward the small auditorium.

Other people were heading that way too—some sports university students, plus reporters and photographers.

At the door, staff were checking in.

Chen Dahai and Tian Chaorui found their names on the list, signed in, and were allowed through.

The staff saw the badges on Xu Chen and Fang Jun’s chests and waved them in.

This ‘small auditorium’ was about the size of three or four classrooms, like a big lecture hall.

When they entered, the front was packed with cameras and video equipment.

The back was crammed full, so they squeezed in at the rear.

Once seated, Chen Dahai quietly explained.

Apparently, for Bing Ge’s meet-and-greet today, besides Provincial Team members like Tian Chaorui, other students had to sign up on the university forum and get picked by lottery.

Chen Dahai didn’t get lucky, but he pulled some strings to get in.

He was clever at networking and making connections.

A few minutes later, applause and cheers erupted from the front.

Flashbulbs popped in a frenzy.

Xie Bingran entered the small auditorium, surrounded by people.

Chen Dahai and Tian Chaorui stood up, clapping along out of respect as fellow athletes.

Xu Chen and Fang Jun hesitated a second before joining in.

Fang Jun clapped and murmured:

“Your Bing Ge’s turned into a real star!”

Today was Xie Bingran’s meet-and-greet at the Provincial Sports University.

Accompanying her were her former Provincial Team coaches and leaders from the Provincial Sports Bureau.

Teachers Chen Ming and Tian Fangfang were invited as her high school mentors.

They were thrilled to be there.

Since it was a Provincial Sports Bureau and Provincial Team event, the National Team kept a low profile, sending only an assistant coach with Xie Bingran.

Xu Chen looked up and spotted the assistant coach—a woman he’d seen in Osaka, named Liu Shengnan.

She was tall, with a sun-kissed complexion, not much older, and clearly from an athletic background.

The event followed a standard routine: speeches from Provincial Sports Bureau and Provincial Team leaders, then Xie Bingran’s talk.

As Xie Bingran stepped up to the podium, flashes lit up the room.

Bing Ge still had that same cool demeanor as back in high school—no real change.

The only difference was, she went through the entire speech script smoothly.

Xu Chen remembered when she won the city games, and First High School had her speak to the whole school.

Back then, she was even cooler—just rattled off the last line of the two-page speech.

Clearly, Bing Ge had changed a bit.

Under all those lights and eyes, she seemed more at ease now.

She wasn’t chatting away freely, but she could speak publicly without the old hostility.

Xu Chen knew Xie Bingran’s journey hadn’t been easy.

Back in the day, ‘Bing Ge’ hated being watched because those looks were usually full of judgment and scorn…

Now, she was still in the spotlight, with cameras and flashes everywhere.

But this time, the gazes were all admiration and praise.

Xu Chen couldn’t fully grasp her feelings, but he understood.

Knowing her past made him feel for her even more.

Bing Ge was a natural on the track, but Xu Chen knew it hadn’t come easy.

He’d heard from Coach Cheng Hong and senior Bai Miao that Xie Bingran was incredibly dedicated in training.

Once she hit the track, she never slacked off.

After the small meet-and-greet, there was a quick interview session.

Then, Xie Bingran was led to an indoor track field.

Coach Chen Ming used some pull to get Xu Chen, Fang Jun, and Chen Dahai in too.

Tian Chaorui didn’t need an invite; she was part of it.

They soon learned it was a ‘short-track exchange event’.

Attendees were top short-track athletes from the Provincial Sports University, both guys and girls.

A few were already on the Provincial Team, like Tian Chaorui.

As the national champion who broke records at the National Games, Xie Bingran was like a true idol to these young athletes.

They crowded around her, faces full of awe and respect.

Bing Ge shared tips with the athletes, mixing in technical explanations and quick demos.

Xu Chen and Fang Jun stayed on the sidelines, watching from afar.

Fang Jun gazed at Xie Bingran and said quietly:

“Bing Ge looks even cooler when she’s focused.”

Xu Chen nodded, thinking it was true.

On the track, she was all business.

And when she talked about racing, her eyes lit up.