Chapter 379: Whispers by the Persian Gulf

The shores of the Persian Gulf.

The sky gradually darkened, and city lights began to flicker on.

Across that stretch of sea stood Doha’s towering modern skyscrapers, like a cyberpunk fantasy world.

Nie Fei had arranged a seaside Persian restaurant, and Xu Chen drove the black Range Rover, carrying everyone there.

After playing all afternoon, they were all a bit tired; the girls slumped in the back seat in exhaustion.

Xu Chen glanced at the passenger seat where Xie Bingran’s big eyes sparkled, reflecting the city’s vibrant lights.

She turned to look at Xu Chen and just smiled.

Xu Chen didn’t say anything, but Xie Bingran knew he was probably asking if she was hungry.

When had she started liking this guy?

It was vague and unclear.

There wasn’t a specific moment or scene.

But when they were desk mates and he shared snacks with her, that had to be a key part of it.

So in the years that followed, whenever she felt a bit hungry, she thought of him.

…

Xie Bingran’s phone suddenly vibrated; she snapped out of her thoughts and pulled it out to check.

“Who is it?” Xu Chen couldn’t help asking.

“Coach Cheng, asking me to report our schedule,” Xie Bingran replied while typing a message.

Xu Chen thought for a moment:

“We should find a place tonight; I need to get a gift for Coach Cheng.

She’s a really good person and has helped out a lot…

And your head coach, Sun Coach, I should get something for him too, just as a token.”

Xu Chen felt a bit troubled, unsure what to buy.

But he quickly realized that with Nie Fei and Wu Feifei around, they’d give solid advice.

“I’ve been wanting to treat Coach Cheng to a meal!

Once we get back to Shanghai…”

Xu Chen said with a smile.

Xie Bingran:

“Then invite Aimi too…”

Xu Chen: “Ah?”

…

He paused, then figured it out.

Coach Cheng’s fondness for Sun Aimi was out in the open.

Back during the northwest filming, Coach Cheng stuck to Sun Aimi whenever she could.

The usually stern Coach Cheng turned sweet and obedient around Aimi.

…

…

This Persian restaurant called ‘Parisa’ was in Doha’s old traditional district.

As soon as Wu Feifei saw the ornate, exotic facade, she exclaimed:

“Fei Jie really knows how to pick spots!”

The wide carved wooden door was inlaid with intricate gold and silver patterns.

Stepping inside felt like entering the world of ‘One Thousand and One Nights’.

Crystal chandeliers hung high, casting a soft, dreamy glow over the Persian designs on the dome and walls.

The floor felt plush underfoot, covered in a full carpet.

It featured deep red and dark green patterns of exotic flowers and vines…

The young women were full of excitement and couldn’t resist snapping photos with their cameras and phones.

Led by an Arab hostess, they went to a semi-outdoor rooftop private room on the second floor.

A long wooden table, elegant silver utensils, and ceramic plates.

Flickering candlelight and the sea breeze from the Persian Gulf.

…

Ordering was left to Fei Jie, of course.

Xu Chen had learned his lesson: follow Fang Jun for meals in China, and Nie Fei abroad.

It always brought surprises.

Lamb stew, Arabic grilled meat, fruit salads, Persian tea…

Knowing Fang Jun loved her drinks, Nie Fei specially ordered a bottle of red wine.

Most places in Doha and restaurants banned alcohol.

This one had a license, and the semi-outdoor rooftop was for foreign tourists…

…

Candlelight and laughter filled the air.

After the first course, the restaurant brought out two large platters of complimentary fruits and preserves.

Dates seemed to be a local specialty—sweet, soft, and chewy; even Xu Chen couldn’t resist having a few more.

Xu Chen kept the conversation going, chatting and joking with everyone.

Xie Bingran sat quietly beside Xu Chen, sipping a glass of lemonade without saying a word.

She listened to his jokes and occasionally smiled along.

Xu Chen kept adding fresh fruit to the plate in front of her…

In a moment when he got up for a drink, Xu Chen felt his coat tugged.

Glancing down, he saw Xie Bingran had quietly grabbed the edge of his jacket again.

Who knew how long she’d been holding it.

Like a kid caught doing something wrong, she quickly pulled her hand back.

Then she buried herself in eating fruit…

Xu Chen sat back down, suddenly feeling a pang of tenderness.

He quietly let his arm drop under the table.

Soon, Xie Bingran’s soft hand slipped into his.

…

…

After dinner.

Wu Feifei and Su Rong dragged Bing Ge off to take more photos nearby.

Xie Bingran didn’t refuse; it seemed to bring her some joy.

Fang Jun and Nie Fei ordered another bottle of red wine.

Of course, Nie Fei was mostly keeping Fang Jun company…

Xu Chen sipped apple juice and scrolled through messages on his phone.

In the university group chat, Bai Miao’s fan club had posted a ton of content.

Including live updates from the daytime competition and photos of the fan club with Bai Miao…

The chat buzzed with discussions, congratulating Bai Miao and inevitably talking about gold medalist Xie Bingran.

In fact, all afternoon, ‘Xie Bingran’ had come up way more than ‘Bai Miao’.

That was fair, but it was still Tonghai University’s student group, full of Bai Miao’s peers.

Xu Chen checked the member list and saw Bai Miao wasn’t in the chat.

Good thing, or poor Bai Miao might have been secretly wiping away tears…

Xu Chen couldn’t help wondering what the scene was like in Huahai Normal University’s groups and forums after Xie Bingran’s win…

The chat was sharing scenes from the fan club’s banquet with Bai Miao.

Qian Xin, Huang Hao, and others were dining with Bai Miao.

They posted photos, showing off a bit.

Xu Chen chuckled to himself; he was eating with the champion and wasn’t bragging about it.

Earlier that afternoon, Xie Bingran had mentioned…

The Shanghai fan group, mostly Huahai Normal University students, had wanted to join her for dinner, but Coach Cheng turned them away.

Coach Cheng knew Xie Bingran’s personality; she wasn’t comfortable with those crowds.

Plus, although Xie Bingran studied at Huahai Normal University, she wasn’t close to the students there yet, since she rarely attended classes.

Of course, they couldn’t ignore Bing Ge’s fan club, especially since it was official…

Coach Cheng arranged a separate dinner for them, handling it perfectly.

…

Nie Fei sat next to Xu Chen with a glass of red wine.

“Today, people from Nike and Adidas asked me about Xie Bingran and ‘Ran Bing Sports’…”

Xu Chen: “Oh? What about?”

Nie Fei smiled: “What else? They’re sizing us up as potential rivals.”

Xu Chen: “But our first product hasn’t even launched yet!”

Nie Fei took a sip of wine and continued:

“In the industry, some big brands or investors might have other ideas…”

Xu Chen: “Like what?”

Nie Fei: “They might want to buy exclusive rights to Xie Bingran and ‘Ran Bing Sports’.”

Xu Chen smiled helplessly; it was a common business move.

Anything valuable could be negotiated.

Including the exclusive contract he and Xie Bingran had signed.

“We’re not selling, of course,” Xu Chen said with a laugh.

Nie Fei paused: “What if the offer’s huge?”

Xu Chen shook his head.

Nie Fei: “Millions, tens of millions…

Even hundreds of millions?”

Xu Chen said firmly: “Not for sale!”

Nie Fei clinked her glass with his:

“Then I’m relieved.”

…

Xu Chen remembered something:

“I need to get gifts for Bing Ge’s coaches; what’s a good choice?”

Nie Fei: “Here, three things are worth buying: pearls, dates, and coffee.

For women, consider pearl bracelets or pendants.”

Xu Chen laughed: “I knew I should ask you!”

Nie Fei: “Let’s go together later; I need to buy some things too.

And send gifts back for Aimi, Xin Xin, and the others.”

Xu Chen sighed: “You’re always so thoughtful.”

Nie Fei smiled: “Don’t forget Li Yue; get a special gift for her.”

Xu Chen: “I overlooked that.”

Nie Fei: “No problem, I’ll handle it.”

…

…

Twenty minutes later, Xu Chen drove everyone to a large local mall.

Yesterday’s Wakif Market was too crowded for small items.

For proper gifts, Nie Fei chose this big mall.

The shops overflowed with dazzling goods.

Nie Fei led Xu Chen and Xie Bingran to pick out a pearl bracelet for Coach Cheng.

The price was just right, not over the top.

They also selected a fine lighter for Head Coach Sun Mouping…

Nie Fei shopped alone and ended up with two big boxes, shipping them straight back to China.

Xu Chen and Xie Bingran wandered, eyeing the pearl displays, and he asked:

“Want anything?”

Xie Bingran quickly shook her head.

Xu Chen chuckled.

Pearls just didn’t suit Bing Ge’s style.

…

Fang Jun bought a big box too, shipping it back to Tiancheng.

Wu Feifei and Su Rong each picked a pearl accessory, clearly thrilled.

…

…

By the time they drove back to the hotel, it was past 10 p.m.

Nie Fei, Fang Jun, Wu Feifei, and Su Rong headed upstairs to rest.

Xu Chen drove Xie Bingran to the seaside path near the hotel.

Hand in hand, they strolled along the coast.

…

At a viewpoint.

Xie Bingran gazed out at the dark sea, lost in thought; Xu Chen hugged her from behind.

She didn’t pull away but leaned back into him.

Xu Chen buried his face in her hair and neck, breathing in deeply.

Still that familiar puppy scent…

It was wonderful; he loved it.

“You’re leaving tomorrow…”

Xie Bingran said softly, her tone laced with regret.

“I’ll go back first and wait for you in China.”

“Mm…”

“You’ll be here until the 15th?”

“Mm, I have to attend the closing ceremony.

Then head to the capital for some events.”

Xu Chen smiled:

“That’s no ordinary event.

You’ll meet leaders and bigwigs—something most people never see in a lifetime.”

“But I only want to see you…”

Xu Chen was silent for a moment, then kissed her cheek hard.

“When will it end?”

Xie Bingran blinked her big eyes, looking a bit wronged:

“I don’t know; I asked Coach Cheng, and she doesn’t either…

She just said about a week in the capital.”

Xu Chen held her tighter:

“When you get back to Shanghai, I’ll drive to pick you up.”

“Mm…” She finally smiled.

“Coach Cheng said you have about ten days off; I’ll spend every day with you.”

“Mm.”

“The company has a new office; you haven’t seen it yet.

It’s our company…”

“Oh.”

“And my dad and Fang Jun are coming to Shanghai…

He said he wants to see you; it’s a good chance to meet.”

“Uncle Xu is coming… Do I need to prepare anything?”

Xu Chen smiled and kissed her cheek again:

“Just prepare to eat; that’s enough!”

“Oh.”

Xu Chen thought of something else and said:

“At the end of the month, I’m heading to Kun City; you should still be on break.

I could sneak you along…

Kun City, Li City, and Lijiang area are all fun; I’ll rent a car and take you around.”

Xie Bingran smiled with her lips pursed:

“Sounds great!”

…

…

In the hotel room.

Xu Chen, in his bathrobe, was eating an apple.

“Help me dry my hair…”

Xie Bingran’s voice came from the bathroom.

Xu Chen smiled, set down the apple, and happily went in.

…

The hairdryer hummed as Xu Chen’s left hand ran through Xie Bingran’s wet strands.

He was careful and thorough, not wanting to burn her.

Her scalp dried, but her hair still held some moisture.

Xu Chen couldn’t hold back and hugged her tightly from behind.

He buried his face in her neck, breathing in greedily…

Fresh from the shower, Xie Bingran’s face had a natural flush.

She turned, cupped his face in her hands, looked at him, then threw herself into his arms.

“Xu Chen, I really like you…”

“I really like you too.”

…

Their cheeks pressed together, both hot.

She hesitated a bit but gently leaned in to kiss him.

Xu Chen felt the urge and kissed her back hard.

…

Their breathing grew heavier.

She paused and pulled away slightly.

But he leaned in again.

A playful resistance.

…

In that moment, she felt something and shrank back in surprise.

“You’re like a big monster; I’m scared…”

“Bing Ge, who fears nothing, is scared of a big monster?”

“I’m most scared of you…

I only fear you…”

She blinked her big eyes, looking wronged and pitiful.

Xu Chen’s heart skipped; he pulled her close again.

“I’m a bit scared too; I don’t dare yet…”

Xu Chen stroked the back of her head:

“Me too.

You’re so delicate right now; I won’t risk it.

What if it affects your hurdles? The whole country would never forgive me…”

Xie Bingran paused, then burst out laughing.

She held his face and kissed his cheek softly.

…

…”