Chapter 311: A Rare Break

Saturday.

Xie Bingran had training in the morning and noon, but she had half the afternoon free—a rare little break in recent weeks.

Xu Chen slept in late and planned to take a cab over at noon.

His roommates all had their own plans for the weekend.

“The study whiz” Jiao Tianbo wasn’t in the dorm, so he was probably at the library hitting the books.

“The artsy type” Chen Wenyi was off to join his guitar club activity, something like a gig at The Bund mall.

Only Hong Xiaoqiang was still holed up in the dorm, tinkering with his custom-built high-end computer as usual.

Xu Chen freshened up quickly, chatted with Hong Xiaoqiang for a bit, then grabbed his bag and headed to the office.

……

Tonghai University Business Tower.

Xu Chen opened the fridge door and smiled—Sun Aimi had stocked it full.

He washed some fruit, ate it while booting up his computer.

The evening before, Yan Chuan had sent over the Jeep contract, and Xu Chen needed to glance through it.

He focused on the key details: contract amount, services, delivery time, and standards.

He left the other clauses for Fang Jun and Si Daqing to review.

Once he was satisfied there were no issues, he forwarded it by email.

Fang Jun had set up a group chat with finance and legal, and Xu Chen dropped a message there.

The legal guy, Si Daqing, replied right away:

[Got it! Legal will review first thing Monday morning!]

A moment later, Fang Jun simply replied with “Okay.”.

Xu Chen thought for a second, then messaged Fang Jun privately:

[Hey, help me tally up the finances. How much is in the company account right now, and what’ll we have by year-end.

Factor in daily expenses, plus salaries for Sun Aimi and future ones for Gu Xinxi…]

[Need money soon?]

[Thinking about launching “Ran Bing Sports”. Just checking our resources first.]

[Want me to ask President Xu?]

[Not yet. No rush. I don’t plan on big investments anyway.]

[Alright, I’ll get you the numbers next week.]

……

Downstairs at noon.

A taxi pulled up, and the driver stepped out—it was Zhao Feng’s cousin, Zhao Kai.

“Xu Chen!” Zhao Kai greeted with a simple, honest smile.

Xu Chen held a bag with a few packs of cigarettes inside:

“Brought these from home. I asked Zhao Feng, and he said you like this brand!”

Zhao Kai took them awkwardly but gratefully:

“Thanks a lot, Xu Chen!”

He looked them over, a touch of emotion in his voice:

“This brand’s tough to find in Shanghai.”

The cigarettes were from back home, brought during National Day.

Today, since he needed a ride to see Xie Bingran, he specifically called Zhao Kai to hand them over.

Zhao Kai had helped out big time last time with the sudden car need.

Plus, with Xu Chen on his own in Shanghai, it paid to keep these connections alive.

……

……

Over an hour later, the car stopped at the main gate of the Xinzhuan Base.

Xu Chen said a quick goodbye to Zhao Kai and let him get back to work.

Glancing at the time, it was just before one o’clock—Xie Bingran probably wouldn’t finish until two.

Xu Chen wandered over to a hotel across the street and checked in.

……

When he returned to the Xinzhuan Base entrance, the time was about right.

Xie Bingran had already arranged visitor access for him, so he just needed to sign in at the gate to get inside.

A few minutes later, downstairs at the athletes’ apartment.

Xu Chen sat by the flower bed, waiting for Xie Bingran to finish training and return.

He sat for a bit and noticed a couple of pairs of what looked like parents waiting around the apartment too.

That’s when he realized this Saturday afternoon break was a chance for many athletes’ families to visit.

They carried big bags or boxes, probably winter clothes.

It was mid-October, and Shanghai’s weather was turning cooler.

Besides the packages, they brought food too.

One parent had a bag of fruit, another lugged a stainless-steel multi-tier lunch box, likely homemade soup or nourishing stuff from home.

“I should’ve brought something for Xie Bingran…”

Xu Chen suddenly felt a pang of regret.

Xie Bingran was all alone in Shanghai with no family.

Her parents were who knows where right now.

On a weekend like this, while other athletes had family visits, Xie Bingran was on her own.

Xu Chen chuckled to himself.

“Well, she’s not totally alone—I’ve got her back.”

……

“Xu Chen!” a bright voice called from behind.

He turned to see the sweet and cute Bai Miao, his senior.

She wore a white tracksuit, clearly fresh from the training field, with her tied-up hair still damp with sweat.

“Hey, Senior Bai Miao!”

Xu Chen stood up politely.

Bai Miao knew he was there for Xie Bingran and smiled:

“The coach held Xie Bingran back for a chat, but she should be back soon.”

But should be back any minute now.”

Xu Chen: “Alright, I’ll wait here.”

A middle-aged couple stepped up behind Bai Miao with warm smiles.

From their looks, Xu Chen figured they were Bai Miao’s parents.

They had kind faces and stood straight, both in sportswear.

He recalled hearing from Bai Miao’s little fanboy Huang Hao that her parents were high school PE teachers.

And it seemed like sports ran in the family.

Bai Miao blinked and grinned as she introduced them:

“This is my dad and mom!”

Xu Chen bowed slightly: “Hello, Uncle. Hello, Aunt.”

Bai Miao: “This is Xu Chen, my junior from Tonghai University. He’s also friends with my roommate Xie Bingran.”

He’s also friends with my roommate Xie Bingran.”

Xu Chen added with a smile: “Xie Bingran and I were classmates in middle and high school. We’re both from the same town and came to Shanghai for school.”

Bai Miao: “Oh, you two were middle school buddies? I had no idea!”

Bai Miao’s dad chimed in with a laugh:

“We’re in sports too, and Xie Bingran’s talent stands out among this generation of athletes in the country.”

Bai Miao’s mom nodded with a smile:

“Absolutely. Ever since Xie Bingran started competing, our daughter finally realized how tough the competition is.”

Bai Miao pouted, looking a bit annoyed.

Xu Chen just smiled along, not jumping in.

Bai Miao’s mom continued:

“We’ve never seen Xie Bingran’s parents visit her. Back when we went to the National Team in Beijing to see our daughter, we never spotted Xie Bingran’s family.”

“We’ve never seen Xie Bingran’s parents visit her. Back when we went to the National Team in Beijing to see our daughter, we never spotted Xie Bingran’s family.”

Bai Miao blinked: “I’ve never seen them either.”

……

Xu Chen stayed quiet, but a mix of helplessness and disappointment stirred inside.

“Yeah, kids in sports work themselves to the bone.”

“Which parent wouldn’t worry?”

Most would visit like these parents on breaks.

But Xie Bingran never had family show up, and probably never would.

Xu Chen felt a twinge of heartache and regret—he’d have to cherish her more.

Xie Bingran kept quiet around others, especially about her family.

It made sense her roommate Bai Miao didn’t know.

When Bai Miao’s mom brought it up, Bai Miao looked puzzled.

As a dedicated athlete from a loving family, the Shanghai princess couldn’t fathom neglect like that.

Xu Chen gave an awkward smile, unsure how to respond.

Bai Miao’s dad seemed to catch on and said casually:

“Let’s head up. The fish soup I made is getting cold!”

Bai Miao smiled: “Xu Chen, we’re going up now…”

……

Xu Chen waited a little longer and spotted that cool, sharp figure.

Xie Bingran wore a full black tracksuit, a backpack slung over one shoulder.

Her jacket zipper was open, hands in her pockets.

Spotting Xu Chen from afar, she lit up with joy…

“Been waiting long?” She was already in front of him.

“Nah, just sat down a bit ago.”

Xie Bingran had just finished training, her bangs still damp, sweat beads clinging to her ears.

She’d wiped her face, but a pretty flush lingered.

“I’ll run up, shower quick, and change into clean clothes.” Xie Bingran said with a smile.

Xu Chen waved her off:

“Bai Miao and her parents are probably still in the dorm.”

He grinned:

“No need for a shower. I don’t mind.”

Xie Bingran felt a bit embarrassed and wiped the sweat from her neck with her sleeve.

With no one around, Xu Chen pulled her close and leaned in for a whiff.

But Xie Bingran pushed him away, biting her lip with a shy, annoyed look.

Xu Chen laughed: “I really love your scent!”

With a zip, Xie Bingran pulled her jacket closed.

“Let’s go! Time to eat!” she said coolly.

……

The athletes’ cafeteria.

They each grabbed a tray and found a quiet spot by the window.

As Xu Chen ate, he couldn’t help but grumble:

“Your coach is sneaky. Finally gives a half-day off but drags it to two o’clock, skipping lunch.”

The little foodie across from him was clearly starving, digging into her meal with big bites.

Other athletes were in the cafeteria too, all just off training.

A few visiting parents sat with their kids, sharing homemade nourishing meals like Bai Miao’s folks.

They’d brought stuff from home, just like that.

Xu Chen turned to Xie Bingran:

“Next time, I’ll bring you some food! What do you want?”

“Next time, I’ll bring you some food! What do you want?”

Xie Bingran paused, thinking: “It’s too much trouble. The cafeteria has everything. Just coming to see me is enough…”

“It’s too much trouble. The cafeteria has everything. Just coming to see me is enough…”

Xu Chen realized he didn’t even have a kitchen, so cooking was out.

“Then I’ll bring fruit. What kind do you want?”

Xie Bingran blinked her big eyes:

“Next time you come, bring me a yellow apple.”

“Next time you come, bring me a yellow apple.”

Xu Chen was surprised:

“Why a yellow apple specifically?”

Xie Bingran: “When we were desk mates, the first thing you shared with me was a yellow apple.”

She said it casually, without much emotion.

Xu Chen froze, recalling the memory.

It was early in their time as desk mates.

His father, Xu Zhiquan, always packed snacks in his bag.

That day, it was two yellow apples.

During break, Xu Chen found one squished in his bag.

In the heat, it was going bad fast.

Following his father’s advice, he knew eating the damaged one could upset his stomach.

With a mischievous kid thought, he handed it to his quiet desk mate and joked:

“Want this?”

He showed her the bad side on purpose.

To his surprise, Xie Bingran took it after a pause and started eating quietly…

Young Xu Chen was stunned but didn’t know what to say.

He pulled out the good apple and ate it himself.

Back then, he felt a bit smug, thinking his desk mate was naive for eating a bruised apple.

It wasn’t until weeks later that he noticed her struggles with meals, often just gnawing on a plain bun.

That led to him sharing lunches with her later.

……

……

Snapping back, Xu Chen looked at Xie Bingran chowing down and whispered:

“From now on, I’ll save the good apples for you.”

Xie Bingran chewed with her cheeks puffed out.

She blinked, not quite catching what he said.

……

……

After lunch, Xie Bingran headed back to the dorm to drop her bag.

When she came down, she had on fresh clothes—a light tracksuit.

“You’ve got so many tracksuits,” Xu Chen teased.

Xie Bingran: “They’re like uniforms. The team gives us a bunch.”

Xu Chen: “Want to go out, see some sights? It’s your rare day off.”

Xie Bingran: “As long as I’m with you, anywhere’s fine.”

Xu Chen: “How about The Bund? Or Lujiazui? You haven’t explored much since coming to Shanghai.”

Xie Bingran: “Is it far?”

Xu Chen thought about it—weekend traffic would be a hassle.

Plus, they only had half a day; no point wasting it on travel.

“There’s Qibao Park nearby, connected to a cultural park and museum. We could wander there.”

Xie Bingran smiled: “Sounds good!”

……

Ten minutes later, they arrived at the charming, old-style Qibao Ancient Town.

With its Jiangnan waterways, bell towers, temples, and various Shanghai snacks.

Being so close to downtown yet having this cultural gem was a treat.

Xu Chen and Xie Bingran strolled the old streets aimlessly.

Xie Bingran had just finished training, but she showed no sign of fatigue—must be her tough build.

Xu Chen glanced at her and noticed a gloomy look.

“What’s up?”

“You’re not holding my hand…”

Xu Chen chuckled and quickly took her soft, warm hand.

Xie Bingran pursed her lips and leaned in happily.

Xu Chen added:

“Do they check rooms at night?”

Xie Bingran: “Yeah, the coach is strict about it.”

Xu Chen: “I booked a hotel right by the base.”

Xie Bingran: “I’ll sneak out then.”

“I’ll sneak out then.”