Chapter 471: Whispers of Homecoming

Xu Chen held Xie Bingran’s hand as they wandered through the new house Bing Ge had just bought.

The layout was straightforward and practical.

The previous owner’s decor was simple, clean, and refreshing.

After looking around, Xu Chen said,

“I’ll swap out a few pieces of furniture for new ones, and we can move right in.”

Xie Bingran smiled with her lips pursed:

“Do you like it?”

Xu Chen: “I love it, little rich girl.”

He flashed a hint of embarrassment:

“Compared to this, that old phone I gave you doesn’t amount to much!”

Xie Bingran: “Don’t say that. I just want you to sleep well at night.”

Xu Chen glanced around again and said,

“This is a solid investment too. Property in this prime spot will keep rising for the next ten years.”

Xu Chen had told Xie Bingran not to spend money recklessly before, worried she’d get scammed.

But buying a house in Shanghai like this was a smart, high-value move.

It sat in the heart of Yangpu, surrounded by top schools like Tonghai University, Fudan, and Shanghai Foreign Languages University, so prices were bound to climb.

Xu Chen hadn’t expected Bing Ge to act so quickly, securing the place without a word.

Buying property was a big life decision; most people would think it through and discuss it.

But Bing Ge moved fast and decisively, wrapping it up without any fuss—straightforward and bold.

The house was perfect in every way: location, layout, decor, and amenities.

Most importantly, it was right across from Tonghai University, so Xu Chen’s walk to the north-south teaching building was even shorter than from the dorm.

“Too bad you can’t stay here often,” Xu Chen said.

“I bought it for you.”

“Oh…”

Xie Bingran remembered something else: “I asked Bai Miao to help order a birthday cake too…”

Xu Chen smiled and gently pinched Xie Bingran’s nose.

They’d ordered from a local bakery, so Xu Chen drove them to pick it up.

Along the way, on Quyang Road, they grabbed some elegant side dishes from a small eatery.

…

…

Xu Chen stuck a candle into the cake, and Xie Bingran lit it with a lighter, her movements smooth.

“Happy birthday.”

“Happy Valentine’s Day.”

They turned off the main lights, leaving the room in peaceful dimness.

Xu Chen took Xie Bingran’s hand, their fingers intertwining.

“Let’s make a wish together.”

A moment later, they blew out the candle together.

Whether in his past life or this one, this birthday filled Xu Chen with joy and happiness.

Xie Bingran:

“I was going to make you longevity noodles, but it seems too late now.”

Xu Chen: “It’s fine. There are plenty more birthdays ahead—you can make them for me then.”

Xie Bingran blinked her big eyes and snuggled into Xu Chen’s arms like a little puppy.

Xu Chen gently stroked the back of her head and joked,

“You’re putting so much pressure on me. Now I have no idea what to get you for your birthday this year.”

Xie Bingran held him a bit tighter:

“You don’t need to get me anything. Just being by my side is enough…”

Xu Chen: “Alright then, I’ll strip down and stay right here.”

“…”

…

That evening, they drove back to the school.

Xu Chen pulled a new set of bedding from his dorm closet, then bought a bunch of toiletries from the school store.

With their own little home now, they decided to stay there overnight.

The small house felt cozy, though still a bit empty; they could fill it up gradually after the New Year.

The previous owner’s renovations were still fresh, so no need for extras—just update the furniture.

Once Xie Bingran’s break started, they’d have a sweet little nest in Shanghai. It was more practical than Bing Ge’s place in Tiancheng.

Now, they had a spot in both Tiancheng and Shanghai.

It was all so exciting…

While Xu Chen showered, Xie Bingran set out a pair of new toothbrushes and a holder on the sink, positioning them head to head, and smiled to herself.

…

The next morning.

They lingered in the warm bed for a while before reluctantly parting.

Xu Chen looked at Xie Bingran’s plump, moist lips and thought they were even more tempting to kiss.

Xie Bingran’s eyes were watery too, like a sad puppy nuzzling hard into his chest.

“Let me take you to the school cafeteria for breakfast, then drop you at the airport.”

“Oh…”

Xie Bingran had an early flight to Beijing with Director Li Yue.

Once there, she’d head straight to the CCTV studio for Spring Festival Gala rehearsals.

Xu Chen wondered if the new CCTV building, the ‘big pants,’ was finished by early 2007.

Probably not—it’d still be the old one on Revival Road…

Xu Chen was flying back to Tiancheng today to celebrate the eve with his dad, Xu Zhiquan.

Then on New Year’s Eve, he’d fly to Beijing to pick up the dog and bring it back to Tiancheng for the holiday.

It sounded like a lot of travel, but Xu Chen was thrilled about it.

…

An hour and a half later, at Pudong Airport.

At the gate, Xu Chen handed Xie Bingran over to Director Li Yue.

Director Li Yue greeted ‘Young Xu Chen’ warmly and smiled,

“We’ll see Bing Ge on CCTV on New Year’s Eve soon.”

Xu Chen joked in complaint,

“Too bad you couldn’t get me a ticket for the audience, Director Li. I wanted to watch at CCTV in person.”

Li Yue looked awkward:

“Audience seats for this year’s gala are tough to secure…”

“I owe you an apology on that, Young Xu Chen!”

Xu Chen: “Don’t worry, Director Li. I was just kidding.”

…

…

The 28th of the twelfth lunar month, back home in Tiancheng.

Xu Chen slept in until noon, then found a hearty breakfast his dad had left in the kitchen.

Xu Zhiquan had headed to their hometown village early with his brother Xu Zhilin to visit some elders before the holiday.

Ever since Old Xu became a ‘famous entrepreneur’ in Tiancheng, the village had gotten lively—distant relatives who hadn’t spoken in years suddenly showed up, and the village chief wanted to host him, clearly hoping for something.

Old Xu donated some money to the village, fixing the main road and sprucing up the primary school.

It didn’t cost much, but it boosted his reputation. Old Xu didn’t care about that, but village ties were hard to avoid.

Besides, his parents’ and mother’s graves were there, so a bit of local influence helped protect them.

When the village committee suggested erecting a ‘merit stele’ for the Xu family, Old Xu shut it down fast.

He liked the spotlight, but something like that was too flashy and could invite envy or trouble—no way.

…

Xu Chen munched on a fried dough stick while checking the company group chat.

The Shanghai office was on break today; Fei Jie and the team were packing up and chatting excitedly about their holiday plans.

Nana from the administrative department was handling the final checks and cleanup.

She was thorough, going over everything, clearing out the trash, and snapping photos of the office to share in the group.

[Thanks for the hard work, Nana!] Xu Chen replied in the group.

Nana: [I’ll come by on New Year’s Day to put up the spring couplets!]

Nana lived in Shanghai, not far from the company.

Volunteering to hang couplets showed what a reliable young woman she was.

…

After eating, Xu Chen drove to Morning Wind Park.

Because that afternoon, an ‘important figure’ was coming to visit.

…

As soon as Xu Chen pulled into the park, he spotted Fang Jun’s sister standing alone outside the comprehensive building.

Fang Jun was watching as Wu Feifei rode a Morning Wind electric bike, grinning with excitement as she looped around the yard.

Wu Feifei had come to hang out with Fang Jun’s sister and tour the park.

Xu Chen parked and walked over to Fang Jun’s sister.

Wu Feifei rode up on the bike:

“This is so much fun!”

Xu Chen: “Didn’t I give you one in Shanghai too?”

Wu Feifei: “The campus is too crowded and the roads too narrow—I never ride it properly!”

“Here in your park, it’s so open—I can zip anywhere!”

The park was quiet now; production had shut down for the holiday, so it felt emptier.

That afternoon, Xu Chen and Fang Jun showed Wu Feifei around the park properly.

Fang Jun’s sister led the tour, really—Xu Chen wasn’t familiar with every spot himself.

They even drove to the new site being built in the north, and Wu Feifei was impressed:

“Your company’s huge, Xu Chen!”

Xu Chen half-joked: “We owe it to the city’s support and the leaders’ guidance…”

Wu Feifei rolled her eyes: “Don’t hit me with that official talk—it’s the worst.”

Xu Chen: “…”

After the tour, Wu Feifei insisted on seeing Bing Ge’s new house first.

Before Xu Chen could respond, she pulled out her phone and said,

“I need to check with Bing Ge.”

She sent a message, got a quick reply, and grinned at Xu Chen:

“Bing Ge says it’s okay for me to go!”

…

At Tiansheng Mansion.

Fang Jun showed Wu Feifei around the house, and she was thrilled:

“This is way bigger than I thought—must be one-forty or one-fifty square meters?”

“The style is so cool too—it fits Bing Ge perfectly.”

After circling the place, she sighed a bit:

“I wanted to get you guys some furniture or appliances, but everything’s already set up!”

Xu Chen: “You’ve got good intentions, Miss Wu. No need for gifts.”

Wu Feifei thought for a moment: “It still needs some decor and knickknacks. I’ll pick something for Bing Ge!”

She turned to Xu Chen: “Will Bing Ge come back for the New Year? We could have a gathering at your new place!”

Xu Chen: “Sure! Bing Ge will be here for a few days, but after the first.”

Wu Feifei: “Awesome!”

Fang Jun: “Count me in.”

Xu Chen: “How could we leave out Fang Jun’s sister?”

…

…

The 29th of the twelfth lunar month.

Around three in the afternoon, Old Xu put on an apron and started preparing the New Year’s Eve dinner.

Tomorrow was the actual eve, but since Xu Chen had to fly to Beijing to get Xie Bingran, Old Xu wanted to celebrate early with his son.

Xu Chen came downstairs, saw his father Xu Zhiquan at work, washed his hands, and jumped in to help.

“Go watch TV; I’ve got this.”

Xu Chen was already coating fish pieces in flour: “Dad, let’s do it together.”

Old Xu chuckled heartily: “Then have a drink with me later.”

Xu Chen: “You got it!”

…

The table was loaded with dishes, but it was just the two of them.

It wasn’t about extravagance; holidays called for feasting to set the mood.

Old Xu had grown up in tough times; when he was Xu Chen’s age, the family only ate meat properly during New Year, so this meal was always special.

Even months in advance, he and his siblings looked forward to it…

Old Xu opened a bottle of liquor, and Xu Chen poured them both full glasses.

They clinked cups, and Old Xu smiled: “This counts as making up for your birthday too!”

Xu Chen: “Thanks, Dad!”

Xu Zhiquan downed his glass and added,

“I have a birthday gift for you.”

Xu Chen looked curious: “What is it?”

Xu Zhiquan grinned mysteriously, stepped out, and returned with a document, handing it to Xu Chen.

Xu Chen glanced at it—it was a share transfer agreement.

“I’ve arranged for the Lifeng Footwear shares to go under your name. A few formalities left, and Fang Jun and Si Daqing are handling them; it’ll wrap up after the holiday.”

“That way, Ran Bing Sports, along with the Lifeng Footwear shares, will all be yours.”

“This keeps things separate from East Morning Star and Morning Wind—just in case emergencies arise, it cuts some risks.”

“Plus, Fang Jun showed me the year-end finances; you’ve poured all of East Morning Star Advertising’s earnings into Ran Bing Sports—it’s been tough.”

“Lifeng Footwear has steady income.”

“While Ran Bing Sports is still losing money, Lifeng is already profiting from Ran Bing orders, and end-of-year dividends are solid.”

“The profits from Lifeng will help ease the funding pressure on Ran Bing.”

Old Xu paused, smiling: “I don’t want you working so hard. Take it easy.”

Xu Chen opened his mouth to speak but held back, simply refilling his father’s glass.

Old Xu laughed and drained it in one go.

…

The TV in the living room played holiday variety shows.

During a commercial break, Xu Chen heard the jingle and turned to look.

“Head & Shoulders helps me win clean and clear…”

Xie Bingran’s Head & Shoulders ad had launched right before New Year’s Eve—Procter & Gamble moved fast on that.

Xu Zhiquan watched closely and chuckled: “Did my son set up that ad for Ran Ran?”

Xu Chen: “Yeah, East Morning Star Advertising handled it.”

Xu Zhiquan beamed with pride: “My boy’s amazing! Getting ads on CCTV!”

He took another sip and continued: “And Ran Ran’s going on the gala—surer than you.”

Old Xu suddenly remembered something: “Can your ad company take on a project for me?”

Xu Chen: “Of course, what project?”

Xu Zhiquan thought it over, lit a cigarette, and after a moment said,

“It’s serious business. If you pull it off, it might smooth things with Guo Liang’s big dealers.”

Xu Chen: “Sounds major.”

Xu Zhiquan: “The project isn’t huge, but it ties into the north’s largest electric bike dealer, Datuo Car Dealership.”

“If my son can handle it, it’d be a huge help.”

“…”