Chapter 50: Stormy Preparations

Just as Xu Chen had predicted, the storm hit hard and fast, so it wouldn’t last long.

The heavy rain pouring on the athletic field was already easing up.

Xu Chen pulled out his mobile phone to check the time and figured he’d make it to the afternoon city games selection without issues.

He suddenly remembered something and asked,

“Where’s Li Rui?”

Like Xie Bingran, Li Rui had been expelled from school because of yesterday’s incident.

Xu Chen still felt a bit guilty about it, since the whole thing was tied to him after all.

Xie Bingran, Li Rui, and the others had stepped up to help eliminate the danger for him.

Xie Bingran replied,

“Don’t worry about him. He was already thinking of dropping out. No real shot at the college exams, and his family can’t afford to keep him in school anyway.”

After a moment’s thought, Xie Bingran added,

“If you want to thank him, just treat him to a meal.”

Xu Chen asked, “What does he plan to do after leaving school?”

“He’s already got his driver’s license and is set to join his dad driving taxis.”

……

The heavy rain gradually stopped.

In no time, the dark clouds vanished, and the sun shone brightly overhead.

If not for the puddles and mud on the ground, you’d never know a storm had hit.

Xu Chen’s clothes were soaked, but under the blazing sun, the moisture was already starting to evaporate.

The old township athletic field wasn’t covered in rubber; the track was scattered with fine black coal slag.

Luckily, the underground drainage kept it from getting too muddy.

The two of them crossed the wet track, their feet crunching on the coal slag as they headed for the athletic field gate.

Xu Chen shook his backpack hard, sending water droplets flying far away.

Xie Bingran stuffed her running shoes into her bag and slung it over her shoulder, carrying her wet clothes in hand.

They both looked a mess, but their moods were generally upbeat.

……

A little after 2 p.m.

The No. 16 bus pulled up across from First High School, and Xu Chen and Xie Bingran stepped off one after the other.

Xu Chen had changed into dry clothes, something he picked up quickly in the town—no brand name, just practical.

Xie Bingran glanced at the school gate, a hint of hesitation flickering in her cold, brooding eyes.

“Hold on a second, I need to grab something.”

Xu Chen said, turning toward a small shop nearby.

The chubby shop owner recognized Xu Chen right away and broke into a wide grin.

Last time, Xu Chen had bought several boxes of instant noodles, sausages, and a few packs of cigarettes in one go, earning him VIP status.

“Young boss, what can I get for you today?”

“Give me a pack of Soft Zhonghua cigarettes.”

The chubby owner paused, then flashed a huge smile.

“Just a moment, just a moment… right away!”

In no time, the owner handed over a pack of Soft Zhonghua.

Xu Chen took it and examined it closely, but frowned.

“Boss, my family deals in business, and my dad often buys cigarettes for gifts.

I don’t smoke, but I’ve seen plenty…”

He left the implication hanging, and the owner looked startled, a flash of panic crossing his face.

The owner forced an awkward smile and snatched the pack back from Xu Chen, saying,

“Sorry, young boss, I must have grabbed the wrong one.” ……

In the early 2000s, fake cigarettes and booze were everywhere.

Stuff like Soft Zhonghua needed extra caution.

This chubby owner probably figured Xu Chen was just a high school kid who wouldn’t know the difference…

In fact, in this small county town, most people buying Zhonghua weren’t smoking it themselves—they were using it for gifts.

Even if the recipients spotted a fake, they wouldn’t call it out directly.

A lot of shop owners made their money off that gray area.

In his past life, Xu Chen was a heavy smoker and had been burned a few times, so he’d developed a sharp eye for it…

Soon, another fresh pack of Soft Zhonghua was in Xu Chen’s hands.

He checked it over, smiled, and nodded.

The owner looked sheepish and said,

“I’ll give you an 80% discount, young boss. Come back often, and you can trust what you buy here…”

“Sure,” Xu Chen said with a smile, not bothering to say more. He paid and left the shop.

Xie Bingran waited on the sidewalk, hands in her pockets.

She saw Xu Chen with the cigarettes and looked puzzled:

“What do you need smokes for?”

Xu Chen smiled:

“Hurry up and put on your running shoes.”

“Oh…”

Xie Bingran found a step, sat down, and pulled the red running shoes from her bag, slipping them on.

Xu Chen opened the pack of Soft Zhonghua and broke it into individual packs, stuffing them into his backpack.

The two walked straight through the school gate; the guard, seeing they were students, waved them in without a second thought.

Xu Chen led Xie Bingran toward the athletic field.

……

Today’s ‘city games selection’ was basically a preliminary for the northern school district.

Only those who passed today would qualify for the actual city games.

Besides First High School, athletes from Second High School and Experimental High School had all shown up.

The reason they chose First High School was its top-notch athletic field facilities.

It was break time, and a crowd of curious students gathered at the athletic field entrance.

Barriers were set up.

Non-participants weren’t allowed in…

Xu Chen and Xie Bingran soon reached the edge of the athletic field.

“Isn’t that Bing Ge?”

“Wasn’t she expelled? What’s she doing back at school…”

“Why’s she here at the field?”

“And who’s that with her from Class 5—Xu Chen?”

Whispers floated around, but Xu Chen brushed them off.

He glanced at Xie Bingran; Bing Ge’s face was cold and expressionless, seemingly unaffected.

“Wait here for a minute,” Xu Chen said.

Xie Bingran nodded and stayed put at the field’s edge.

Xu Chen headed to the barrier, peered inside, and waved.

In moments, Chen Dahai hurried over.

Chen Dahai was a high jumper and made the cut, so he was at the selection.

“Thought you weren’t coming.”

Chen Dahai glanced through the barrier and spotted Bing Ge.

“Master Xu, you really brought Bing Ge along?”

Xu Chen didn’t reply; he pulled out the packs of cigarettes from his backpack and handed them all to Chen Dahai through the barrier.

Chen Dahai took them quickly, stuffing them into his baggy pants pockets like he was hiding stolen goods.

Xu Chen said, “Get on it.”

Chen Dahai grinned: “I’ll snag one pack for myself, right?”

“If you sort this out, I’ll buy you a whole pack on its own,” Xu Chen replied.

Chen Dahai’s eyes lit up: “You’re the man, Master Xu! Consider it done!”

With that, he turned and dashed back into the field, pockets bulging.

Chen Dahai would handle getting Xu Chen and Xie Bingran inside—this was all part of Xu Chen’s earlier plan.

Xu Chen slung his backpack over his shoulder and strolled back to Xie Bingran.

Xie Bingran didn’t say a word, but she figured out what the cigarettes were for.

So, getting them into the event required a little behind-the-scenes work.

。