Chapter 465: Echoes of High School

So, how did Boss Xu discover Bing Ge’s athletic talent anyway?

Yeah, we never saw Bing Ge in any sports meets before, but she hit the peak right out of the gate.

Boss Xu and Bing Ge were classmates in middle school, so he must have known she was a fast runner all along.

But Boss Xu kept it under wraps—didn’t say a word to her in ninth or tenth grade.

I thought those two didn’t even know each other.

The conversation at the table kept circling back to Xu Chen and Bing Ge.

Besides those two, most of it was about Bing Ge.

On top of the competitions and the gold medals, they talked about her ads for Jeep and Kunlunshan Mineral Water.

To this group of high school friends, it all felt like another world—unbelievable just to think about.

Xu Chen couldn’t help thinking, ‘Wait until you see Bing Ge on the New Year’s Eve gala; you’ll be jaw-dropped for sure.’

As for the buzz about Bing Ge, Xu Chen didn’t jump in much himself—just chimed in now and then to keep things lively.

Xu Chen wasn’t even in Bing Ge’s class.

He wondered if the Class 3 reunion was just one big chat session about her.

The food wasn’t the main thing—it was the vibe.

A few guys ordered drinks, but skipped the hard stuff and went for a case of beer.

Drinks were fruit juice, coconut milk, and that super popular student fave, ‘Nutritional Express.’

Once everyone had eaten their fill, people started moving between tables, striking up conversations and getting to know folks they didn’t know well before.

Xu Chen ran into Nie Sen Sen, that quiet guy.

He came over with a glass of fruit juice and said hi to Xu Chen.

Xu Chen joked,

“I saw your dad at the factory the other day—you two look just alike.”

Nie Sen Sen gave an awkward smile:

“My parents both work at Chenfeng Factory.

Dad’s on the inspection line, and Mom’s in logistics.”

Last month, Mom got recognized as a top performer in her department!”

Xu Chen also caught up with Huang Qianqian, Bing Ge’s little fan and Wu Feifei’s close friend.

She was still her usual upbeat, straightforward self.

She showed off a signed photo of Bing Ge from the Asian Games to Xu Chen, which surprised him a bit.

Huang Qianqian had gone with Wu Feifei to the National Games in Yangcheng, but he hadn’t seen her at the Asian Games in Doha—wonder where she got that signature.

Huang Qianqian said proudly,

“I had Feifei ask Bing Ge for it.”

Xu Chen: “Ah, that explains it.”

Huang Qianqian looked a little embarrassed:

“I didn’t want to ask Bing Ge directly—she’s just too cool and distant.”

Xu Chen laughed and said, “You could’ve asked me!”

Huang Qianqian: “No way, I’d be too scared—I might get beaten up.”

Xu Chen: “Whoa~”

“Just kidding!”

Xu Chen: “Hey!”

Huang Qianqian blushed a bit: “Actually, there is something I wanted to ask you about!”

Xu Chen: “What’s up?”

“‘Ran Bing 001’ is sold out everywhere—I heard from Feifei that you made it!

Could you get me a pair? I’d pay full price.”

Xu Chen: “Just send me your address, and I’ll have the company ship you a pair!”

Huang Qianqian beamed: “Thanks, Boss Xu!”

She paused, then added,

“Feifei told me you’ve started two companies in Shanghai and handled some big projects.

You’re amazing…”

Xu Chen played it modest:

“Feifei exaggerates—I’m just killing time, helping Bing Ge sell shoes.”

Huang Qianqian:

“Don’t be modest—Feifei said she even went with you to Pengcheng for that Vanke project!”

At the gathering, Xu Chen also heard about their homeroom teacher Zhang Liqun’s situation.

He got fired from First High School for forcing students to change their college applications and became a cautionary tale for schools in Tiancheng.

The Education Bureau didn’t completely blacklist him—he ended up at a private middle school in a rural township.

But he’s not teaching anymore; he’s in a support role, like school logistics.

He got what he deserved, but at least he has a steady job.

Plus, Xu Chen picked up some news about ‘non-mainstream girl’ Zhao Linlin.

In their class, there were her old close friends, who dressed in a similar ‘non-mainstream’ style.

Just like in Xu Chen’s past memories, Zhao Linlin went to a vocational college in Qing City in the same province.

According to Zhao Linlin’s little friend, she even asked about and showed concern for Xu Chen privately.

Xu Chen just gave an awkward smile and had no interest in responding.

The meal stretched on until past three in the afternoon before wrapping up.

Guys and girls split into small groups for round two activities.

Xu Chen got pulled along by Chen Dahai to hit up the old internet café with their dorm mates from back in the day for some gaming.

It was the same spot they used to go to in high school, playing those classic old games.

The next day at noon, Xu Chen met up with Feng Wenjiang’s daughter, Feng Qingqing, for a meal—to keep the connection alive.

He’d already checked in with his father, Xu Zhiquan, about it beforehand.

Feng Wenjiang had moved up to a district position, and his family had relocated from the town to near the district government offices.

Xu Chen drove to the district housing complex where Feng Qingqing now lived.

Feng Qingqing looked just as she always did—fresh and neat, with a white hair clip in her hair.

Seeing Xu Chen again, she seemed a bit shy.

“I’m not too familiar with places around here—you pick where we eat,” Xu Chen said with a smile.

Feng Qingqing thought for a moment: “Let’s go to Pizza Hut—it’s on Limin Road nearby.”

Xu Chen: “Sounds good!”

He tried to ease the awkwardness by bringing up last year’s driving lessons. “Did you get your license?”

Feng Qingqing pouted a little: “I got it ages ago—I’m not as quick as you, but I’m not that slow either…”

Xu Chen chuckled awkwardly and shifted topics: “Your dad is really moving up—now leading in the district!”

Feng Qingqing: “Your dad is the impressive one—his electric bike company has blown up.

He’ll be Tiancheng’s richest soon, right?”

“You’re overestimating—it’s just a startup,” Xu Chen said, staying humble for his father’s sake.

“I brought some treats from Shanghai—here’s a box for you.”

Feng Qingqing smiled happily: “Great!”

With good food on the table, she opened up and asked about Xu Chen’s life and studies in Shanghai.

“I haven’t had a chance to visit Shanghai yet—I’ve always wanted to.”

Xu Chen: “Just come over—I’ll show you around.”

Feng Qingqing: “Awesome! Maybe with some friends.”

Xu Chen: “No problem, I’ll host you all!”

Feng Qingqing paused then said, “I saw the news about Xie Bingran—she’s incredible, winning that Asian Games gold medal.”

Feng Qingqing didn’t know Xie Bingran personally—they weren’t in the same high school—but now she did, and from her father Feng Wenjiang, she knew about Xu Chen’s connection to her.

As she ate her pizza, Feng Qingqing suddenly added, “Has Xie Bingran’s family stuff been sorted out?”

“Huh?”

Xu Chen was caught off guard, unsure what she meant.

Feng Qingqing hesitated and went quiet.

Xu Chen looked puzzled: “What do you mean?”

Feng Qingqing: “Wait, you don’t know about this?”

Xu Chen: “What exactly?”

Feng Qingqing filled him in, and it really surprised Xu Chen.

Xie Bingran’s birth mother—the woman who abandoned her and remarried in another village—had caused some trouble recently.

After Xie Bingran got that house as a reward from Tiancheng City, it made the local news, and her birth mother saw it.

Maybe out of greed or prodded by her in-laws, she started eyeing that house.

She tried contacting Xie Bingran directly but had no way to reach her—especially after Xie Bingran’s grandmother passed away, cutting off her last link.

Not long ago, she went to South River Village and stirred things up at the Village Committee, trying to get in touch.

But the Village Committee couldn’t just hand over Xie Bingran’s contact—they saw her as a big name now, with town and city leaders visiting, so they didn’t want any mess.

They brushed her off and sent her away.

Somehow, Xu Zhiquan heard about it.

He thought it could lead to problems, so he quickly looped in Feng Wenjiang.

Even though Feng Wenjiang had moved to the district, he still oversaw town matters and got the local leaders and Village Committee involved.

They used a mix of persuasion and warnings to scare off Xie Bingran’s birth mother and her family, shutting it down.

Those folks were just uneducated villagers—once they heard about the serious consequences of causing trouble, and got a stern talk from the officials, they backed off for good.

Feng Qingqing knew about it because she overheard her father on the phone and pestered him for details.

Neither Xu Chen nor Xie Bingran had any idea this was happening.

Xu Chen was glad his father had quietly nipped this potential issue in the bud—Xie Bingran was a public figure now, with big commercial deals, and any drama could hurt her image.

He’d need to chat with Xu Zhiquan later to make sure everything was settled.

After the meal, Xu Chen took Feng Qingqing for a walk around the area near the district government—it was his first time there too, and it felt lively.

They grabbed some milk tea and cake before he drove her home.

“Say hi to Uncle Feng for me!” Xu Chen said with a smile as she got out.

“And tell Uncle Xu hello too!”

Xu Chen remembered something, pulled a box of pastries from the trunk—the ones he’d brought from Shanghai—and handed it over.

Feng Qingqing took it, admiring the fancy box: “Thanks, Xu Chen!”

Xu Chen: “No need to be formal… Last semester was crazy busy, but once I’m back in Shanghai and have some free time, I’ll come to Hangcheng to hang out.”

Feng Qingqing smiled sweetly: “Sounds fun!”

She added, “If you could introduce me to Xie Bingran, that’d be even better.”

Xu Chen laughed: “I’ll see what I can do!

But Bing Ge’s always training or competing—I don’t see her that often myself.”

That evening at home, Fourth Uncle drove Xu Zhiquan back after another client dinner with the Seedling Company.

The two brothers sat in the living room, smoking, and Xu Chen came downstairs to say hi and brew some light tea.

Xu Zhiquan hadn’t drunk much tonight but seemed in high spirits—business must be going well.

Fourth Uncle stayed for a bit then headed out.

Father and son walked him to the car, and as they went back inside, Xu Zhiquan slung an arm around Xu Chen’s shoulder.

Xu Chen spoke up:

“Dad, I heard about Xie Bingran’s mom from Feng Qingqing today…”

Xu Zhiquan settled into the big sofa and said,

“It’s all sorted—nothing more to worry about.”

Xu Chen: “She went to South River Village, right? How did you find out?”

Xu Zhiquan: “Fang Tao told me—he heard it from his family.”

Xu Chen thought, ‘That makes sense.’

Fang Tao and Xie Bingran were from the same village and lived close by.

Xu Zhiquan often used Li Rui, Fang Tao, and Cheng Yong as drivers, and Fang Tao was sharp enough to tip him off.

Xu Zhiquan sipped his tea and added,

“I was worried Xie Bingran might get mixed up in it since it’s her mom, so I kept it quiet and let Feng Wenjiang handle it first…

A woman who abandoned her kid to remarry and now eyes her house isn’t anyone good.

Best to keep far away.”

Xu Chen refilled his father’s tea and asked,

“Was it Uncle Feng who sorted it? How did they handle it?”

Xu Zhiquan:

“Just uneducated farmers—officials explained the consequences, and that was enough.

They act tough but are really timid.”

He glanced at Xu Chen and continued,

“Feng Wenjiang and the town leaders thought about paying them off, but I stopped it.

Don’t blame me for that—Feng’s educated, but he doesn’t get how these folks think.

Pay once, and they’ll keep coming back, always eyeing Xie Bingran’s house.

It’d never end, so better to scare them straight from the start—no money involved at all.”