Chapter 372: Doha Adventures
by xennovelXu Chen woke from a deep sleep, pulled off his eye mask, and sat up.
Qatar Airways, touted as the world’s top business class, was incredibly comfortable.
The plane’s gentle turbulence felt like a soothing cradle, easing any tension.
He glanced over at Nie Fei, sipping white wine and flipping through a magazine.
Wu Feifei and Su Rong, the two young women, held hands and dozed off.
These two seemed to have become the best of friends.
Xu Chen waved, and a pretty flight attendant smiled and hurried over.
He ordered a steak and a glass of red wine, then settled in to enjoy it.
The flight lasted eight hours, and most of it had already passed.
……
After eating, Xu Chen found the newly released movie ‘Han River Monster’ and watched it with delight.
……
Something interesting happened along the way.
In business class, a fifty-something man in a suit—clearly a high-flying executive—struck up a conversation with Nie Fei.
Out of professional courtesy, Nie Fei exchanged business cards with him.
As they chatted more, his ulterior motives became obvious.
Nie Fei politely declined his invitation for drinks that evening.
Once she sent him away, Xu Chen couldn’t help but grin mischievously.
Nie Fei just shook her head slightly, looking exasperated.
……
……
Local time, 3 p.m., the plane landed in Doha.
Xu Chen and his group stepped out of the cabin, with Wu Feifei and Su Rong chattering excitedly behind him.
The arrival hall at the airport oozed opulence.
Groups of locals in white robes and hats bustled about, looking like royalty.
Meanwhile, the airport screens displayed Asian Games videos and posters, filling the air with event energy.
At this time, half the tourists in Doha were probably here for the Games.
……
The main Tonghai University cheer squad emerged from the gate one by one.
They yawned and stretched, looking exhausted.
After all, they’d been crammed in economy seats for nearly eight hours—that’s tough.
Qian Xin, the ‘Jiangsu Prince,’ spotted Xu Chen from afar and sauntered over with a sly grin, slinging an arm around his neck:
“Boss Xu, how was business class?”
Xu Chen: “Amazing!”
Qian Xin: “……”
Huang Hao walked up with his bag, smiling:
“Are you guys at the same hotel? We could head over together!”
Xu Chen gave an awkward smile.
Huang Hao rolled his eyes: “Forget I asked…”
From behind, team captain Zhang Yuchen called out:
“Everyone gather! We’re getting day passes and taking the subway to the hotel near the Athletes’ Village…”
Qian Xin still had his arm around Xu Chen:
“Wanna join us?”
Xu Chen smiled awkwardly again.
Qian Xin let go: “Forget it.”
Xu Chen: “We rented a car—we could give you two a lift!”
Qian Xin: “Awesome! Wait for me!”
……
A few minutes later, Qian Xin and Huang Hao returned, having checked in with Teacher Ge Feng.
Nie Fei thought for a moment, then went to speak with Teacher Ge Feng.
So, Nie Fei led the three guys and two girls as a separate group.
……
The car rental was Nie Fei’s arrangement; back in Shanghai, she’d had Xu Chen get an international driver’s license translation.
When they picked up the car in the underground garage, Xu Chen was stunned.
It was a brand-new black Range Rover Sport.
The luxurious 4.4L V8 version…
Based on domestic prices, it cost nearly two million yuan.
Qian Xin saw the ‘big beast’ and nearly lost it.
Xu Chen was surprised and thrilled, glancing at Nie Fei with a smile.
Nie Fei said, “They only have luxury cars here; nothing ordinary was available.”
She smiled: “The rental’s not bad, and gas is super cheap—just drive freely…”
Doha drives on the right with left-hand steering, so no learning curve.
Qian Xin eyed the driver’s seat, eager to try, but Xu Chen shooed him away:
“You don’t have the license; if the cops catch us, we’re stuck.”
Qian Xin swallowed hard:
“I wouldn’t dare drive it anyway—if I scratch it, I couldn’t afford the damage.”
Huang Hao: “Since when did you get so modest, Qian?”
Qian Xin: “Ever since I met Boss Xu…”
Xu Chen: “……”
……
The seven-seater SUV had comfy space even in the third row.
Nie Fei took the passenger seat, while Qian Xin and Huang Hao headed to the back, leaving the middle for Wu Feifei and Su Rong.
Xu Chen gripped the wheel, glancing around and thinking:
A two-million-yuan car is worlds apart from a seven-hundred-thousand one.
Even if the power specs look similar, the luxury interior and fine details stand out.
Nie Fei held a map, guiding Xu Chen’s route.
Doha isn’t huge, and their hotel was just across the street from Qian Xin and Huang Hao’s, both near the Athletes’ Village.
The black Range Rover quickly pulled out of the garage.
……
“Wow…”
In the back, Wu Feifei and Su Rong marveled at the streetscapes of lavish skyscrapers outside.
Xu Chen rolled down all the windows, feeling the breeze lift his spirits.
Doha, known as the ‘Desert City of Aesthetics,’ sits on the western shore of the Persian Gulf.
It’s a true oasis of wealth in the desert.
Skyscrapers and luxury cars everywhere.
……
Passing the Athletes’ Village, Xu Chen couldn’t help but stare a bit longer.
That striking stadium was where Xie Bingran would compete tomorrow…
Right now, Bing Ge was in the Athletes’ Apartment there, just a few kilometers away.
But as always, he couldn’t visit her before the event…
“Doha Dawn Hotel” dropped off Huang Hao and Qian Xin—that’s where the main cheer squad stayed.
After they got out, Xu Chen said:
“We’ll head out tonight; we can take you two along.”
Qian Xin and Huang Hao beamed: “Thanks, Boss Xu!”
Xu Chen smiled:
“We’ll rest and grab some food at our hotel, then come back in about an hour and a half!”
Qian Xin: “Got it!”
……
……
Their hotel, the ‘Century Hotel,’ was a step up from the squad’s.
Xu Chen and Nie Fei each had a large single room, while Wu Feifei and Su Rong shared one.
The two acted so chummy it left Xu Chen speechless.
……
Half an hour later, in the rooftop garden restaurant on the 46th floor.
As Xu Chen’s group entered, a pretty server greeted them.
Nie Fei said in English, “We have a reservation.”
Su Rong looked puzzled and glanced at Wu Feifei.
……
By the window, a girl with a high ponytail sat quietly.
She stared expressionless at the dazzling city view.
“Fang Jun!”
Wu Feifei shouted and hugged her from behind.
“Let me introduce my new friend!”
She pulled Fang Jun up and introduced Su Rong.
Su Rong blinked at this fair-skinned, large-eyed, expressionless girl.
“Hi, I’m Fang Jun.”
Su Rong shook her hand timidly:
“Hi, I’m Su Rong.”
Xu Chen walked over with a smile:
“Don’t worry, she’s not scary.”
“……”
Fang Jun and Bing Ge were both cool, but in different ways.
Each had their own charm.
Fang Jun tried a friendly smile and said:
“Last month, I visited Wanrong Materials with President Xu, your father…”
“We even had a meal with your dad, Su Rong.”
“He was surprised and happy to hear you’re classmates with Xu Chen.”
Su Rong lit up at that, smiling sweetly…
Nie Fei, already familiar with Fang Jun, greeted her with a smile.
She was a bit surprised at how close Wu Feifei and Fang Jun were.
Xu Chen hadn’t told Nie Fei everything about Wu Feifei and Fang Jun.
But Nie Fei was sharp and saw that both girls were key to East Morning Star.
……
The restaurant was a buffet with half local specialties.
Arabic grilled meat, Gulf roasted fish, Persian stew, shawarma…
Fang Jun sat across from Xu Chen and shared some family updates.
Mostly about the initial sales of Chenfeng Ice Power.
Xu Chen listened quietly, occasionally refilling Fang Jun’s tea.
From her, he learned about crucial business developments.
“We launched with stock for ten thousand electric vehicles, which doesn’t bring in much revenue…”
“The key is using initial sales and orders to expand Guo Liang’s dealer network for future distribution…”
“Plus, the launch helps secure more funding, not just from banks…”
“Wu Feifei’s dad can breathe easier now.
The policies he supported for Chenfeng Technology faced some pressure, but with sales results, he can get more backing…”
“Last week, the leaders took your dad to provincial promo events.
They were productive and should aid statewide distribution…”
“After this launch, Guo Liang will check overall orders…”
Your dad thinks one production line might not suffice.
But he’s not impressed with Jiangsu’s lines; Director Yang’s eyeing ones in Japan.”
Xu Chen paused: “Japan?”
Fang Jun: “Yamaha…”
“Apparently, it’s from their motorcycle lines, repurposed for electric vehicles—it’s top-tier.
Efficiency and tech outclass domestic ones; more automated with advanced management, even IBM integration—I don’t get it all, but it’s impressive.”
Xu Chen took a sharp breath:
“Dad’s ambitions are growing fast!”
Fang Jun stayed expressionless:
“The Chenfeng Ice Power launch was a hit.
Besides the provincial capital, President Xu and Guo Liang showcased at events in Beijing and Tianjin…”
“They came back more confident.”
Xu Chen frowned:
“Sounds optimistic, but is it too rushed?”
Fang Jun paused: “Not really; your dad’s cautious.
If he sees it’s worth it, he’s thought it through.”
Xu Chen nodded slightly.
Since acquiring Bright Factory, his father Xu Zhiquan had leveled up in business.
And Fang Jun was always level-headed; if she said so, it was solid.
Xu Chen raised his glass and clinked it with hers:
“Thanks, Teacher Fang Jun!”
Fang Jun lifted hers:
“Also, congratulations—East Morning Star Advertising just hit ten million in revenue.”
Xu Chen sighed:
“Dad’s on fire, and Bing Ge’s at the Asian peak… I’m feeling the pressure not to fall behind!”
Fang Jun sipped her tea: “Your family’s got talent in spades.”
“In just six months, you’ve all skyrocketed.”
Xu Chen laughed: “You’re rocketing too, Fang Jun.
And none of our leaps would happen without you.”
He topped up her tea again.
Fang Jun thought seriously: “I’ve helped you and your dad, sure.
But Bing Ge? That’s all her—nothing to do with anyone else.”
……
……
“Wakif Market” is Doha’s must-visit traditional Persian spot.
Compared to the modern skyscrapers, its Arab architecture feels like stepping into another era—like ‘One Thousand and One Nights.’
Xu Chen walked with Fang Jun, still chatting about family matters.
She mentioned more about President Xu’s routine—overtime at the factory or networking dinners.
It made Xu Chen worry.
“He’s got a bit more downtime now, with Guo Liang and Director Yang helping…”
The Seedling Company’s mostly run by your Fourth Uncle, but client meetings still need him.”
……
Nie Fei led Wu Feifei, Su Rong, Qian Xin, and Huang Hao around browsing.
The four explored eagerly, full of wonder.
Whenever they wanted something, Nie Fei negotiated with the locals.
Qian Xin and Huang Hao followed her like eager kids.
They’d just learned Nie Fei was basically Xu Chen’s executive.
Though she led at his company, she reported to him—which blew their minds.
This poised ‘Nie Fei’ was clearly a top professional, once with a foreign firm.
Having her as Xu Chen’s subordinate? Unbelievable for a fellow college student.
……
……
Fang Jun remembered something and said:
“For cheering Bing Ge tomorrow, do we need banners or anything?”
Xu Chen smiled:
“Bing Ge has tons of fans and official squads flying in; we don’t need to do more.”