Chapter 413: Whispers of Adventure

Pudong Airport.

Xu Chen checked the time and figured they had a bit left, so he led Xie Bingran to the VIP Lounge.

The main draw was that the VIP room offered decent fruits and meals to snack on first.

Once on the plane, even in business class, the food was often tough to stomach.

…

Xu Chen and Xie Bingran grabbed some fruits and snacks from the food line.

They spotted the mineral water on the table and shared a quiet smile.

It was Kunlunshan Mineral Water, the brand Xie Bingran endorsed.

Positioned as premium water, it appeared in the airport’s VIP area as part of exclusive distribution deals.

After all, the VIP lounge catered to first-class and business travelers, aligning perfectly with Kunlunshan’s upscale image.

…

The table had four or five rows of Kunlunshan bottles.

The labels didn’t feature Xie Bingran’s image, but a poster of her endorsement stood nearby.

Finding it amusing, Xu Chen grabbed two bottles.

They picked up some fruits, nuts, and bread, then settled into a comfy spot.

As soon as they sat, Xie Bingran noticed Xu Chen staring off to the side.

“What’s up?” Xie Bingran asked.

“The guy over there with the big glasses and graying hair—that’s our college dean, Dean Lin.”

What Xu Chen spotted was Lin Ruyang, dean of Tonghai University’s Creative and Media College.

It seemed he wasn’t with the student group and was flying to Kun City that afternoon.

Lin Ruyang had studied in Germany early in his career before joining Tonghai University back home.

He was a true heavyweight in China’s creative design field.

Lin Ruyang and Hong Kong’s Jin Dazhuang were known as the “Northern Lin and Southern Jin”…

Xie Bingran: “Aren’t you going to say hello?”

Xu Chen smiled: “He doesn’t know me yet. He hasn’t taught any of my classes.”

Besides, I’m not even in Kun City tomorrow morning—it’s like I’m skipping out early…

So, it’s better not to introduce myself now, or I’d give the game away.”

“Oh.”

Xu Chen picked up a big strawberry and held it to Xie Bingran’s lips.

“It’s huge…”

Xie Bingran said, then opened her soft mouth to take a bite.

Xu Chen chuckled and popped the other half into his own mouth.

He gently pinched her cheek:

“I’m so glad I could bring you along.”

…

Xu Chen glanced at his phone and saw messages from the group chat—the main student group heading to Kun City was still on the train.

The school opted for trains to keep costs down.

Besides the sixteen award winners, there was the advertising department head, Ni Zhi, and a counselor named Song Yidan.

The student organizer was Zhao Siting, the senior who’d contacted Xu Chen before.

Also along was Zhang Yuchen, the class monitor from the third-year photography class whom they’d met in Doha.

That meant both Zhao Siting and Zhang Yuchen were winners in the University Advertising Competition.

But compared to Xu Chen, the double national first-prize winner, they were like runners-up…

In the “Kun City Advertising Event” group chat, the students were buzzing with excitement.

They chatted nonstop, and Counselor Song Yidan shared photos from their trip.

Xu Chen checked the time:

“Time to go—boarding!”

…

…

As the plane circled above Pengcheng, night had fully fallen.

Xu Chen woke from a short nap, removed his eye mask, and sat up.

Xie Bingran, wearing a baseball cap, turned and smiled at him.

Xu Chen glanced down and saw Xie Bingran clutching his shirt hem tightly.

He looked exasperated:

“Why not just hold my hand?”

Xie Bingran blinked her big eyes:

“I didn’t want to wake you…”

Xu Chen sighed, reached out, and took her soft hand.

Xie Bingran leaned closer, resting against his shoulder.

…

Stepping off the plane, they felt a wave of warmth.

The coastal South China climate was much milder than Shanghai’s.

After another ten minutes, they each carried their luggage to the domestic arrivals exit.

A tanned driver held up a sign that read “East Morning Star Advertising – Mr. Xu Chen.”

Vanke’s arrangements were always spot-on; Zhou Kai had set up the driver and car in advance.

Xu Chen greeted him and followed the driver to the parking lot, climbing into a white Toyota Alphard.

Settling into the comfortable back seat, Xu Chen said:

“It’s about a one-and-a-half-hour drive. You could catch some more sleep.”

“I’m not tired.”

“Is traveling with me too exhausting?”

“Not at all—it’s all sitting or lying down…”

Xu Chen smiled and squeezed her soft hand again.

…

Luckily, traffic was light, and they cruised through Pengcheng as Xie Bingran gazed at the street scenes out the window.

“Pengcheng looks so modern.”

Xie Bingran murmured.

Xu Chen explained:

“It started as a small fishing village, so it’s all new construction—purely modern.”

“Places like Beijing, Shanghai, and Yangcheng are older cities with historic streets and buildings.”

“They can’t rebuild from scratch like Pengcheng did, without any old baggage.”

…

Over an hour later, the Toyota Alphard pulled up at the Vanke hotel entrance—the same one Xu Chen had stayed at before.

Zhou Kai had booked the room; stepping inside, it was a spacious, luxurious suite as expected.

Xie Bingran wandered around and said:

“This hotel is way too fancy.”

Xu Chen showed a hint of pride:

“Vanke treats me like their executives.”

“So, they went for the top-tier presidential suite!”

“Oh.”

Xu Chen grinned mischievously:

“It has a huge bathtub and a massive bed.”

Xie Bingran didn’t catch the implication and just said, “Oh.”

“I’ll take you for coconut chicken—right in the hotel restaurant. The ingredients are safer there!”

Xie Bingran blinked:

“What’s coconut chicken?”

As a first-time visitor to Pengcheng, she’d never heard of it.

“It’s chicken cooked with coconut…” Xu Chen said with a smile.

Xie Bingran frowned, trying to picture it.

…

After a quick freshen-up at the hotel, they each shed a thick sweater and headed to the top-floor restaurant.

They chose a private spot near the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Dapeng Bay.

“The sea’s right across, but it’s too dark to see much now.”

Xu Chen said with a smile.

…

Soon, a server wheeled over a cart with fresh coconuts.

Xie Bingran watched as the server cracked them open and poured them into a pot, looking puzzled.

She finally realized it was chicken cooked in coconut water.

As a girl from the north, she found it hard to imagine.

Would sweet coconut water make good chicken?

…

Xu Chen mixed a clean dipping sauce for Xie Bingran and scooped her a small bowl once the chicken was done.

Xie Bingran hesitated, took a piece, and tried it.

“How is it?” Xu Chen asked.

Xie Bingran chewed and nodded:

“It’s actually really good…”

Xu Chen beamed:

“Great, eat up—I’m loving feeding you!”

…

Besides the whole chicken, Xu Chen ordered mushrooms and veggies—all fresh and healthy.

Watching Xie Bingran dig in made him feel content.

It reminded him of middle school, sharing lunches with his poor desk mate.

As Xie Bingran chewed a piece, she looked up and saw Xu Chen smiling at her:

“Why are you staring like that?”

Xu Chen pinched her cheek:

“Because you’re beautiful!”

…

…

After dinner, Xu Chen took Xie Bingran downstairs.

The whole area north of Dapeng Bay was Vanke’s commercial resort development.

Though not crowded in late 2006, it was full of bustling buildings.

Xu Chen held Xie Bingran’s hand as they strolled along the path toward the sea.

Xie Bingran gazed up at the lively buildings, lost in thought.

Xu Chen saw emotions flickering in her big eyes but couldn’t quite read them…

At a viewpoint facing Dapeng Bay, Xu Chen hugged Xie Bingran from behind.

The sound of waves filled the air, with a gentle sea breeze on their faces.

“What are you thinking about?” Xu Chen whispered.

Hugged in his arms, Xie Bingran stayed silent for a moment.

Then, she lowered her head slightly:

“I never imagined I’d live like this…”

Xu Chen: “Like what?”

After a pause, Xie Bingran said softly:

“Staying in hotels like this, eating amazing food, seeing views like this…”

“Making friends with girls like Su Rong and Wu Feifei…”

“And having Uncle Xu care about me.”

“Plus, being with you…”

Xu Chen held her tighter without a word.

Xie Bingran: “Sometimes I get scared…”

“Scared that I don’t deserve any of this…”

Xu Chen:

“Of course you do.”

“You deserve the best life out there.”

“Besides, who decides what’s deserved? It’s all something you’ve earned yourself, Bing Ge.”

Xie Bingran paused before saying:

“I just run…”

“But none of this is something I earned on my own…”

“It’s all because of you.”

Xu Chen smiled:

“Silly girl…”

“If yours is mine, then mine is yours too.”

The waves crashed on.

Xie Bingran turned to face him.

Her short hair fluttered in the sea wind.

Her big eyes sparkled under the city lights.

She touched Xu Chen’s cheek, her eyes full of unspoken words.

But she said nothing, just kissed his cheek gently before burrowing into his arms like a puppy.

…

…

The next morning, after breakfast, Xu Chen and Xie Bingran returned to their cozy hotel room.

Pulling back the curtains revealed a stunning 180-degree sea view.

They sat on the big sofa, each with a glass of juice, savoring the relaxed morning.

…

Zhou Kai messaged Xu Chen to confirm the morning meeting time.

Xu Chen replied:

[No problem, I’ll be there on time!]

Zhou Kai: [Thanks for the effort, President Xu!]

[When you arrive, just message me, and another admin colleague will meet you.]

Xu Chen: [Got it, thanks Kevin!]

…

Xu Chen rummaged through his suitcase and changed into something more formal.

Xie Bingran watched him dress and asked:

“Do I need to come?”

Xu Chen smiled: “Of course, and you’re key to it.”

“Oh.”

Xie Bingran thought for a moment:

“Is my outfit too casual?”

She was still in that Louis Vuitton set.

Her suitcase was mostly athletic wear.

Xu Chen considered, then pulled out a light cotton jacket from his bag:

“Try this—it’s less flashy.”

Xie Bingran took it and put it on.

Xu Chen looked her over, feeling a bit helpless.

At 1.75 meters, it fit Bing Ge well enough, just a tad loose, but it suited her cool vibe.

Wearing his jacket even highlighted that.

…

Xie Bingran pulled the collar up to her nose, sniffed it, and smiled happily.

Xu Chen shook his head: “You’re such a puppy!”

He grabbed a baseball cap and put it on her head:

“Need to disguise you a bit, or everyone will want Bing Ge’s autograph!”

…

Xu Chen’s phone buzzed.

He thought it was Zhou Kai, but it was from senior Zhao Siting at the college.

Checking on Xu Chen’s schedule, probably worried he’d miss the afternoon ceremony.

[Don’t worry, senior—I’ll make it to the awards on time.]

[Good, just leave extra time in case of traffic.]

[Will do. I’ve checked—the venue’s close to Kun City Airport.]

[I’ll head straight there after landing, no delays…]

…

Time to go, so Xu Chen took Xie Bingran downstairs.

He juggled bags and packages.

One big folder held the creative proposals and two posters of Xie Bingran.

The other bags contained two pairs of Ran Bing 001 shoes—for Wang Shi and Yu Liang.

This trip, the proposals and landing the two-million order were secondary…

The main goal was giving those Ran Bing 001 shoes to Wang Shi and Yu Liang.

If those business tycoons became early users and generated some PR, it would boost Ran Bing 001 hugely.

With the Asian Games hype fading, Ran Bing 001 needed fresh buzz for the next sales wave.

Wang Shi and Yu Liang both enjoyed marathon running as hobbies.

Vanke even promoted their bosses’ running as part of the company image, with plenty of PR around it.

Getting their endorsement for Ran Bing 001 would be a goldmine of publicity.

Xie Bingran had her hands in her pockets and glanced at Xu Chen:

“You’re here for business, right?”

“Is it okay for me to tag along?”

Xu Chen: “Absolutely, and you have to come.”

Xie Bingran: “Oh… Is there anything I should watch out for?”

She paused:

“I’m not great with people—I don’t want to mess things up for you.”

Xu Chen: “What are you talking about?”

“Just be yourself, Bing Ge…”